Winter 2026 travel could cost significantly less for travellers who choose their departure dates carefully, according to Expedia’s latest Winter Travel Outlook report. The research identifies the cheapest and most expensive days to book flights and accommodation, the dates when international airports are expected to be busiest, and the destinations attracting the biggest increase in search interest.
The Christmas and New Year holidays remain among the busiest periods for winter travel, with higher demand often pushing up flight and hotel prices. However, Expedia’s latest findings suggest that moving a trip by a few days, or choosing to travel in early December or February, could help travellers find better prices.
The online travel agency based its Winter Travel Outlook on flight and accommodation searches made between July and October 2026, comparing them with searches from the same period in 2025. The report provides an indication of changing travel demand and the dates travellers may want to consider when planning their winter holidays.
According to Melanie Fish, travel expert and spokesperson for Expedia, travellers who have some flexibility with their plans could make savings by avoiding the busiest festive travel dates. She identified early December and February as periods when international flights could offer better value.
Expedia’s data identifies 4 December and 18 February as the cheapest days to fly internationally during the winter season. Travellers looking to avoid higher airfares may want to plan around these dates, particularly if they do not need to travel during the Christmas holiday period.
By comparison, 16 and 19 December are identified as the most expensive days for international flights. These dates also fall within the period when airport congestion is expected to be particularly high. Expedia found that 18 and 19 December are the busiest days for international air travel, making them dates worth avoiding for passengers who prefer less crowded airports.
Accommodation demand follows a slightly different pattern. International hotels are expected to be busiest on 4 and 27 December, while 7 and 13 January stand out as the cheapest dates for hotel stays. Travellers hoping to reduce accommodation costs should be cautious about booking stays on 26 December and 13 February, which Expedia identifies as the most expensive dates.
The report also offers an insight into where people are planning to spend their winter holidays. Expedia’s search data shows strong interest in both traditional city breaks and destinations offering warmer weather, with travellers appearing to divide their preferences between tropical escapes and colder destinations associated with winter scenery and Christmas celebrations.
Paris, New York and Amsterdam lead Expedia’s list of the most searched-for winter destinations. Bangkok and Tenerife complete the top five, reflecting continued interest in destinations that offer different experiences during the colder months. Dubai, Tokyo, the Canary Islands, Barbados and Prague also feature in the top 10.
However, the destinations experiencing the fastest growth in search interest reveal a more varied picture of winter travel demand. Exuma in the Bahamas leads the trending destinations list, recording a 115 per cent increase in searches compared with the previous year.
Several colder destinations are also attracting greater attention. Quebec City in Canada recorded a 75 per cent rise in searches, while Malmö in Sweden saw an increase of 45 per cent. Hakone in Japan, known for its hot springs and mountain setting, also recorded 40 per cent growth. Curaçao in the Caribbean experienced the same increase, showing that interest in winter travel is not limited to traditional European winter destinations.
For travellers looking for warmer weather, Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Martinique both recorded a 30 per cent increase in searches. Ocho Rios in Jamaica also attracted more attention, with searches rising by 20 per cent.
The growing interest in colder-weather destinations is equally noticeable. Zakopane in southern Poland, close to the Slovakian border, recorded a 20 per cent increase in searches. Turin in Italy, which attracts visitors with its Christmas markets, experienced the same growth.
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Fish said the findings reflect a growing preference for holidays that allow people to enjoy the winter season in different ways, whether through Caribbean beaches or Christmas markets in European cities.
For travellers planning a winter break, Expedia’s findings offer useful guidance on when demand is likely to be highest and which destinations are attracting more attention. However, the dates represent patterns in Expedia’s search data rather than guaranteed fares or hotel rates. Actual prices will depend on the route, destination, availability, booking time and individual travel dates.
Choosing a less popular departure date and comparing accommodation prices across nearby dates could therefore help travellers manage their winter holiday budgets, particularly during the busy Christmas and New Year period.
