KAYAK Identifies 2026 Holiday Travel Savings and Destinations

Travel search engine KAYAK has unveiled its annual "Holiday Travel Check-In" analysis, providing travelers with data-driven insights for planning their journeys during the 2026 holiday season.

The report suggests that booking strategically can lead to significant savings. For Thanksgiving travel, domestic airfare historically reaches its lowest point about five weeks before the holiday, with prices sharply increasing in the two weeks leading up to departure. Traveling on Thanksgiving Day itself can be up to 19% cheaper domestically and 49% cheaper internationally compared to the most expensive travel days. For Christmas travelers, the optimal booking window is typically four to seven weeks in advance, potentially saving up to 18% domestically and 34% internationally.

KAYAK's data also points to falling prices on several long-haul international routes, particularly to destinations in Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. For instance, fares to Cusco are down 20% compared to last year, Phuket is down 16%, and Fiji is down 13%. Guadalajara remains a relatively affordable option with average fares around $516.

The analysis recommends considering booking two one-way tickets instead of a round trip, which could reduce airfare by up to 30% internationally and 29% domestically. Specific destinations showing significant savings potential with this method include Simpson Bay, St. Maarten; Liberia, Costa Rica; and Lima, Peru.

Canadian cities like Quebec City and Montreal are seeing a surge in interest, with searches increasing by 73% and 45%, respectively. Canada is also highlighted as a value destination. Domestically, Florida remains a popular choice, with destinations such as Punta Gorda showing a 44% increase in searches.