Travel Experts Reveal How to Beat Soaring Holiday Prices

Anyone planning to visit relatives or friends this holiday season may face a steep travel bill, with airfares, hotel rooms and rental cars all becoming more expensive.

Travel booking platform Hopper says the average domestic round-trip flight for Thanksgiving is now $402, representing a 31 percent increase from last year. Christmas flights are averaging $452, up 23 percent.

Travel specialists warn that postponing bookings could be particularly costly this year, as prices for the busiest holiday dates continue to move higher.

Experts shared several ways travelers can reduce their holiday travel costs, including flying on the holiday itself, considering alternatives to air travel and cutting back on unnecessary add-ons.

The most effective strategy is flexibility. Being open to different travel dates, airports and departure times can make a major difference when holiday prices are rising.

Sally French, a travel analyst with personal finance website NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast, told the Daily Mail that travelers should not assume last-minute flight deals will appear.

Holding off in the hope that fares will drop may ultimately cost more. Prices on popular holiday routes are expected to climb between now and Christmas, while both Thanksgiving and Christmas are on track to record their highest airfares in a decade. Higher jet fuel costs are adding to the pressure.

Hotel rates are rising too, though the increase differs between the two holidays. Christmas accommodations are averaging $197 per night, 18 percent higher than in 2025, while Thanksgiving stays remain comparatively stable at about $170.

Change your travel dates – and consider flying on Thanksgiving

Following the traditional pattern of leaving on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and coming home the Sunday afterward may be especially expensive this year.

Hopper estimates that domestic round-trip flights returning on Sunday, November 29, will cost an average of roughly $604.

Travelers who can delay their return until Monday or Tuesday could pay about $350 instead, potentially saving as much as $250 on each ticket.

Flying to the destination on Monday, November 23, is also projected to be more affordable. Average fares are expected to be around $370, compared with approximately $420 for a Wednesday departure.

Those prepared to give up some time with family could find another bargain by traveling on Thanksgiving Day, when average fares are estimated at about $371.

‘I know, nobody wants to spend Thanksgiving morning at the airport,’ French said. ‘But because the holiday is typically one of the least expensive days to fly during the season, it can be the simplest way to cut costs.’

A similar tactic could work for Christmas. Moving a departure away from the weekend immediately preceding December 25 may bring the price down significantly.

Susannah Streeter, a personal finance specialist at Wealth Club, advises travelers to review fares throughout the week instead of focusing on a single departure date.

‘With demand surging around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cost of getting from A to B can take a hefty bite out of holiday budgets,’ Streeter told the Daily Mail.

‘If you can move your departure by a day or two, check prices across the entire week rather than committing to one date. It is also worth comparing nearby airports and a range of departure times.’

Book early, travel early and don’t gamble on a last-minute bargain

Anyone still holding out for a dramatic airfare price drop may want to rethink their strategy.

French warned that, unlike hotels and cruises, where last-minute deals can sometimes appear, cheap flights are much harder to find as departure dates approach.

Her advice is to book rather than wait in the hope that fares will suddenly tumble. Hopper is also urging travelers to secure their flights and hotel stays before Halloween, warning that prices are already elevated and availability will become increasingly limited.

Once tickets are booked, the time of day you travel can be just as important as the date. French recommends choosing the first flight out in the morning, as delays can snowball throughout the day when aircraft and crews are held up by earlier disruptions.

An early departure gives passengers a better chance of getting away on time and, if something goes wrong, leaves more opportunities to be rebooked onto another flight.

She also advises avoiding tight connections, particularly during winter when bad weather can wreak havoc with schedules.

If a layover is unavoidable, allowing extra time between flights could save the misery of being stranded overnight in an airport.

And while paying more for a nonstop flight might initially seem painful, it could prove money well spent during the busiest travel period of the year.

Think twice before flying – driving, buses and trains could be cheaper

For families traveling together, taking to the road could work out considerably cheaper than buying individual plane tickets.

Streeter suggests comparing the full cost of driving against flying, including luggage, airport transfers, parking and car rental.

Long-distance buses such as Greyhound can also provide a more affordable way to travel between US cities, particularly for those booking ahead and avoiding peak departure times.

Amtrak trains are another possibility on suitable routes, although travelers should remember that rail and bus fares can rise when demand is high, too.

A longer journey does not necessarily have to mean a miserable one, with downloaded movies, podcasts, games and playlists helping to keep passengers entertained.

For those hiring a car, however, the advertised daily rate is only part of the story. Additional-driver charges, tolls, fuel policies and one-way drop-off fees can quickly inflate the bill.

Kara Gammell, a personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, advises shoppers to examine the small print before committing to a rental agreement.

She also suggests checking whether an existing auto insurance policy or credit card already provides suitable rental car protection, rather than automatically paying for additional cover.

However, travelers should check exactly what is included, as liability insurance and damage protection for the rental vehicle are not necessarily the same thing.

Don’t ditch travel insurance to save a few dollars

When budgets are stretched, travel insurance can look like an easy expense to cut. But experts warn that skipping cover could leave travelers facing a far bigger bill if something goes wrong.

A medical emergency overseas, an unexpected evacuation or a cancelled trip could result in thousands of dollars in costs, particularly if flights, hotels and excursions have already been paid for and cannot be refunded.

Streeter says travelers should look for a policy that matches their destination and the type of trip they are taking, rather than simply choosing the cheapest option.

For international trips, medical expenses and emergency evacuation limits deserve particular attention.

Those traveling within the US should check what their existing health insurance covers away from home, alongside protection for cancellations, delays and lost baggage.

Gammell also recommends arranging travel insurance when booking a holiday, rather than leaving it until the last minute. This means eligible cancellation cover can be in place before departure, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions.

Both experts also advise checking existing credit card benefits and insurance policies before buying additional protection, as there is little point paying twice for the same cover.

Watch the hidden charges – and keep an eye out for holiday deals

The price displayed when booking a holiday can be deceptively attractive, with a growing list of extras capable of turning a bargain into a budget-buster.

Checked baggage, seat selection, airport transfers and additional insurance can all add considerably to the final cost.

French recommends traveling with carry-on luggage where possible, not only to avoid baggage fees but also to give passengers greater flexibility if they need to change flights at short notice.

Those heading overseas should also check whether their debit or credit cards charge foreign transaction or ATM withdrawal fees. When paying abroad, choosing to be charged in the local currency rather than US dollars will often result in a better exchange rate.

Streeter advises carrying a backup card and keeping it somewhere separate from the main one in case it is lost, stolen or blocked. She also warns against being tempted by non-refundable hotel and travel bookings without considering the potential consequences if plans change.

A slightly more expensive flexible booking could ultimately save money if bad weather, illness or an unexpected family situation means a trip has to be cancelled.

Cruises deserve particular scrutiny, too, as the advertised fare can be just the beginning once port fees, gratuities, drinks packages, Wi-Fi, excursions and transport to the departure port are included.

Gammell told the Daily Mail travelers should set a realistic spending budget before leaving, taking into account everything from transport and accommodation to meals, activities and everyday spending.

‘Ultimately, the cheapest headline price won’t always represent the best value. Taking a little time to compare the full cost and stripping out extras you don’t need can make a real difference to your holiday budget,’ said Gammell.

There could also be opportunities for those who are still hoping to book a getaway without paying peak-season prices. 

French expects travel companies to offer discounts around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday, with hotels and cruise operators potentially among those offering attractive promotions.

She believes some travel brands will be keen to entice customers who have been priced out of holidays by rising costs.

But the key is to compare offers carefully rather than assuming every advertised discount represents a genuine bargain.

For those prepared to be flexible, travel slightly outside peak dates or consider a different way of getting to their destination, the festive getaway need not cost a small fortune.