2026 Holiday Travel Costs Soar to a Decade High
The 2026 holiday travel season is expected to be the most expensive in a decade, according to Hopper‘s analysis.
Record High Airfares
- Thanksgiving flights: Average of $402, up 31% from last year.
- Christmas flights: Average of $452, up 23%.
- High jet fuel costs due to conflict in the Middle East and reductions in less profitable flights have contributed to these increases.
Hotel Rates
- Thanksgiving: Steady at $170/night.
- Christmas: Jumped 18% to $197/night.
Popular Destinations
- Top domestic cities: New York City, Miami, Orlando.
- International hotspots: Tokyo, London, Paris, Bangkok.
- Trending alternative spots include Florida, Hawaii, and budget-friendly destinations in Central Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
Strategies for Travelers
- Book trips earlier, ideally before Halloween.
- Avoid peak travel days, such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
- Consider off-peak travel days for better rates.
Embracing Technology
- Usage of AI tools for trip planning is rising, with 33% of adult travelers utilizing platforms like ChatGPT.
The Source
This information is drawn from Hopper’s 2026 Holiday Travel Index and previous reporting by The Associated Press.
