The holidays are coming in hot – and travelers are already on the move.
According to KAYAK data, flight searches are up 10% compared to last year. The best part? International airfares are trending down 7% vs. last year and domestic fare prices showing the slightest dip at -1%. Whether you’re chasing snowflakes or sunshine, there are deals to be found – if you know what you’re looking for, especially this time of year.
HIGHLIGHT SUMMARY
Pro tip: Book between mid-October and early November – KAYAK data shows that’s the sweet spot for holiday savings.
Hot (and cold) spots everyone’s chasing this year.
A look at our holiday trending data signals two emerging trends: Eastern Europe is getting a moment in the sun (even if it’s still chilly weather there) – with spots like Poland and Prague earning top trending status, alongside Caribbean hotspots like St. Lucia, Grenada, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Vibe check: Holiday travelers are mixing cozy markets and tropical beaches – Krakow’s mulled wine or St. Lucia’s rum punch, take your pick.
Where the deals are taking off.
It’s a good year to dream big for the holidays. Domestic deals make quick getaways easy and long-haul flights are seeing steep savings vs. last year. (Looking at you, Japan.) With all eyes on astro-tourism don’t sleep on Finland where spotting the Northern Lights is always on the itinerary this time of year.
- Domestic
- International
Thanksgiving travel forecast.
Your annual reminder: everyone flies on the same day.
- Expected busiest day to fly domestically: Nov. 26 (day before Thanksgiving)
- Expected busiest day internationally: Nov. 22 (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
- Currently cheapest day to fly domestically: Nov. 24 ($415 avg.)
- Currently busiest airports: LAX, SFO, BOS, DEN, ORD, JFK, EWR, WAS, DFW, ATL
Pro tip: Want to dodge chaos? Fly out on Monday the 24th. You could save money and sanity.
Christmas travel forecast.
This year, Santa’s not the only one traveling.
- Expected busiest travel days: Dec. 26-27
- Expected most affordable day to fly domestically: Dec. 24 ($393 avg.)
- Expected most affordable day internationally: Dec. 24 ($864 avg.)
- Currently busiest airports: LAX, SFO, BOS, JFK, ORD, WAS, EWR, MIA, SEA, DFW
Pro tip: Flying on Christmas Eve? It’s cheaper, quieter and you’ll still make it for dinner on the 25th.
New this year: Meet KAYAK’s AI Mode.
If the idea of searching for flights, hotels and car rentals across tabs and filters makes your brain short-circuit, we got you.
KAYAK’s brand-new AI Mode lets you search in plain English. Just ask something like:
“NYC hotels within a half mile of Rockefeller Center for one night, Dec. 23rd.”
AI Mode combines KAYAK’s real-time travel data with ChatGPT’s language skills, delivering smarter, contextual results right from KAYAK’s homepage. Because this year “talking to a travel site” isn’t weird anymore – it’s just efficient.
Final boarding call: What to know before you go.
Book early.
Mid-October through early November is deal season.
Be flexible.
The day you fly matters. A lot.
Ask AI mode.
Let it do the searching while you do the packing.
Go big.
With airfares down vs last year, it’s a good year to finally check something off your bucket list.
So whether making snow angels or laying on a beach, remember: KAYAK’s got your back (and your baggage tracking, your Price Alerts and your AI-powered search bar).
