According to Expedia's newly released Winter Travel Outlook, interest in winter travel is on the rise. According to its data, searches for wintertime getaways have surged by 10 percent this year. Many of the season’s most in-demand destinations are warm-weather beach havens in Hawaii and the Caribbean, but urban escapes, and ski and snow retreats are also topping lists.
Wintertime after the holidays is considered the low season for travel, offering the opportunity for travelers to snag significant savings and experience destinations that are usually bustling without the heavy crowds. Expedia's analysis reveals that post-holiday travel represents a sweet spot for budget-conscious adventurers. Historically, average flight prices drop by up to 15 percent compared to December’s peak holiday period, while hotel rates fall by about 10 percent compared with the summer months.
“Winter travel doesn’t have to put a freeze on your post-holiday spending,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “With lower airfare and off-season hotel rates, it’s a great time to get some winter sun or pack a parka and enjoy a crowd-free European city. A no-brainer hack to remember is when you book your flight and hotel together on the Expedia app, you can save hundreds of dollars on average on your trip.”
Trending Winter Getaways
The top destinations among American travelers this winter are Los Angeles and Cancún, but the two spots seeing the most dramatic year-over-year increases in interest are Vancouver (up 115 percent) on the international side and Maui (up 80 percent) on the domestic side.
Meanwhile, winter’s charm is luring travelers to festive destinations. European cities in particular are captivating travelers with their traditional holiday markets and seasonal celebrations, such as the Christkindlimarkt and Bahnhofstrasse Market in Zurich (up 65 percent) and Zermatt (up 60 percent), Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland in London (up 30 percent), and the Tuileries and Notre-Dame Christmas Markets in Paris (up 40 percent). Domestically, ski getaways like Aspen (up 25 percent) promise holiday magic with events like the 12 Days of Aspen festival.
The Caribbean and Hawaii remain top draws for sun-seekers. Tropical spots like Curaçao (up 90 percent), Maui (up 80 percent) and Barbados (up 55 percent) are experiencing dramatic year-over-year growth in interest, while perennial hotspots like Montego Bay, Santo Domingo and Punta Cana continue to attract U.S. travelers craving warm sands and turquoise waters.
For those seeking snowy adventures, Vancouver (up 115 percent) has become a rising star, boosted by its proximity to world-class ski resorts. Also, part of the reason for Vancouver’s suddenly skyrocketing appeal is attributed to its status as the final stop on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Based on lodging searches.| Trending Winter Destinations | | | |
|---|
| Domestic | | International | |
| 1. Maui (up 80%) | 6. Aspen (up 25%) | 1. Vancouver (uup 115%) | 6. Barbados (up 55%) |
| 2. Chicago (up 40%) | 7. Boston (up 20%) | 2. Curacao (up 90%) | 7. Madrid (up 50%) |
| 3. Honolulu (up 30%) | 8. Sedona (uup 20%) | 3. Kyoto (up 85%) | 8. Bangkok (up 45%) |
| 4. New York (up 25%) | 9. Seattle (up 20%) | 4. Zurich (up 65%) | 9. Paris (up 40%) |
| 5. San Juan (up 25%) | 10. Houston (up 20%) | 5. Zermatt (up 60%) | 10. London (up 30%) |
Travel Smart for Big Savings
Expedia's data underscores January and February as ideal months for budget travel, driven by a post-holiday dip in demand. Domestic flights are about 10 percent cheaper in January, while international fares drop 15 percent in February from their peak December prices. The online travel marketplace also found that average nightly hotel rates can decrease by as much as 45 percent during winter, compared to summer peak pricing.
Cities like Rome, Barcelona and Montreal are standout destinations for winter flight deals, with airfare significantly cheaper compared to the summer season. Meanwhile, cities such as Seattle, Boston, Chicago and Vancouver offer some of the best winter hotel savings, with nightly rates nearly half of their summer costs.
Average daily rate savings versus summer.| Winter Hotel Deals |
|---|
| Domestic | | International | |
| 1. Seattle (down 45%) | 6. Denver (down 30%) | 1. Vancouver (down 40%) | 6. Montreal (down 30%) |
| 2. Boston (down 40%) | 7. Atlantic City (down 30%) | 2. Banff (down 40%) | 7. Barcelona (down 25%) |
| 3. Chicago (down 40%) | 8. Nashville (down 25%) | 3. Lake Louise (down 35%) | 8. Istanbul (down 25%) |
| 4. Portland (down 35%) | 9. Los Angeles (down 10%) | 4. Rome (down 30%) | 9. Lisbon (down 25%) |
| 5. San Diego (down 30%) | 10. San Francisco (down 10%) | 5. Amsterdam (down 30%) | 10. Paris (down 15%) |
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