Christmas 2026 travel could be more affordable for holidaymakers willing to compare destinations and choose their travel dates carefully, with new KAYAK data showing lower hotel prices in parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, alongside cheaper flight options from France, Germany and the UK.
The travel search company’s latest Christmas travel trends report compares flight and hotel searches made between 1 April and 1 September 2026 with searches over the same period in 2025. The analysis covers trips taking place between 19 December 2026 and 9 January 2027, offering an early look at where travellers may find better value during the festive season.
For travellers departing from France, Milan is among the cheapest destinations, with return flights starting at an average of EUR 126. Brussels follows at EUR 153, while Venice and Berlin each come in at EUR 161. Return flights to London start at EUR 169.
Germany has similar options, with Milan again leading the list at an average return fare of EUR 116. Travellers can also find flights to Rome from EUR 169, Vienna from EUR 170, Paris from EUR 190 and London from EUR 192.
For UK travellers, Dublin is among the most affordable destinations, with return flights starting at GBP 127, equivalent to approximately EUR 151. Barcelona follows at GBP 131, or EUR 155, while Milan comes in at GBP 142, approximately EUR 169. Prague and Madrid both have return fares starting at GBP 143, or around EUR 170.
The figures point to several relatively affordable options for people planning a European city break over Christmas. However, the listed fares are based on search data and should not be treated as guaranteed prices for every departure date or booking.
Hotel prices also show notable changes compared with last year, including in destinations that attract large numbers of visitors during the winter holidays. Rovaniemi, the Finnish Lapland city widely associated with Santa Claus, has recorded a 22 per cent fall in accommodation prices, bringing the average nightly rate to EUR 275.
The decline could make a visit to Finnish Lapland more accessible to some families planning a Christmas trip, although accommodation remains a significant expense at that average rate. Travellers should also compare property types and locations, as the cost of a hotel room may differ considerably from that of a cabin or glass-roofed igloo.
Elsewhere in Europe, hotel prices in Istanbul have fallen by 12 per cent to an average of EUR 76 per night. Paris has recorded a 5 per cent decrease, bringing the average to EUR 140, while prices in Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife, are down 8 per cent to EUR 235 per night. In York, England, the average nightly rate has fallen by 8 per cent to GBP 96, or approximately EUR 114.
The price reductions extend beyond Europe, with several destinations in Asia recording lower accommodation costs. Koh Samui in Thailand has seen average nightly hotel prices fall by 21 per cent to EUR 115, while Bangkok has recorded a 20 per cent decline to EUR 76. Tokyo is down 19 per cent to EUR 110 per night, and Singapore has registered a 13 per cent decrease to EUR 164.
For travellers considering a more expensive festive escape, the Maldives has recorded a 10 per cent drop in average nightly accommodation prices to EUR 916. New York, a popular destination during the Christmas season, has seen prices fall by 11 per cent to EUR 273 per night. In the Caribbean, Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique, has recorded a 10 per cent decrease to EUR 123.
The figures compare average prices with the previous year, rather than guaranteeing that every traveller will find a room at the stated rate. The cost of a Christmas stay will depend on the property, availability, length of stay and dates selected.
Timing could also make a difference to the cost of flights. According to KAYAK’s findings, the cheapest day to fly before Christmas is 23 December for travellers departing from France and the UK. For those leaving Germany, 21 December offers the lowest fares among the dates examined.
For people planning a trip after the festive celebrations, New Year’s Eve stands out as the cheapest day to fly out across all three countries, according to the report. This may offer an alternative for travellers who prefer to spend Christmas at home before taking a break at the end of the year.
The best time to book also varies by departure country. For international flights in general, Expedia data published earlier in 2026 suggested that booking around 15 to 30 days before departure could offer savings. KAYAK’s Christmas findings point to different patterns across France, Germany and the UK, however, suggesting that travellers should consider their departure market rather than rely on a single booking rule.
In Germany, flight prices tend to decrease in December, while travellers departing from France may find lower fares in the week immediately before Christmas. UK travellers are advised by the findings to look at fares around six weeks before Christmas.
Hotel bookings follow a similarly varied pattern. In France, domestic accommodation rates during the week before Christmas are around 18 per cent lower than October prices. For international stays, rates are approximately 7 per cent lower from late November into December.
In Germany, hotel prices in the two weeks before Christmas are around 9 per cent below their mid-November peaks. UK travellers could save by waiting until the fortnight before 25 December, when international accommodation rates are 16 per cent lower and domestic rates are 20 per cent lower, according to the data.
The cheapest hotel check-in dates also differ by country and destination. For travellers from France, 21 December is the lowest-priced check-in date for both domestic and international stays. In Germany, checking in on Christmas Day offers the lowest domestic rates, while 21 December is the cheapest date for international accommodation. UK travellers looking to stay within the country should consider checking in on 22 December, while those travelling abroad may find the best rates on 23 December.
For holidaymakers seeking warmer weather, KAYAK’s figures also identify several long-haul destinations where flight prices have fallen compared with 2025. Travellers departing from France can find fares to Casablanca and Rabat in Morocco down 19 per cent, while flights to Agadir are down 12 per cent. Airfares to Koh Samui have fallen by 17 per cent, and flights to Sri Lanka are 11 per cent cheaper.
German travellers have recorded some of the largest reductions on selected long-haul routes. Flights to Lima, Peru, are down 29 per cent compared with last year, while fares to Cairo have fallen by 18 per cent. Flights to Port Louis in Mauritius are down 14 per cent, while routes to Cancun in Mexico and Marrakech in Morocco have both recorded an 8 per cent decline.
For UK travellers, Agadir offers one of the biggest reported reductions, with flight prices down 26 per cent. Fares to Kingston, Jamaica, have fallen by 21 per cent, while flights to Montego Bay are down 18 per cent.
These reductions may make destinations outside Europe worth considering for people hoping to escape the winter cold. However, lower airfares do not necessarily mean a cheaper holiday overall. Travellers still need to account for accommodation, airport transfers, meals, baggage fees and other expenses when comparing destinations.
The KAYAK findings suggest that flexibility could be valuable for Christmas 2026 planning. Travellers who can adjust their departure dates or consider alternative destinations may find more affordable options, but prices will continue to depend on demand and availability as the holiday period approaches.
