The key facts
- The cheapest days for international flights this winter are December 4 and February 18; the most expensive are December 16 and 19
- Staying in hotels is cheapest on January 7 and 13, and most expensive on December 26 and February 13
- The busiest airport days are December 18 and 19; the top destinations are led by Paris, New York and Amsterdam
The data is based on search queries from July to October
Online booking service Expedia published its 'Winter Travel Outlook' study, comparing flight and accommodation search queries from July to October 2026 with the same period in 2025. The goal was to identify the cheapest and most expensive dates for winter trips, as well as the peak occupancy days for airports and hotels.
When to fly and book cheaper
According to Expedia, the most affordable days for international flights this winter are December 4 and February 18. The most expensive days for flights turned out to be December 16 and 19, and December 18 and 19 will also be the busiest days at airports. For accommodation, savings also depend on the dates: it is cheapest to stay in hotels on January 7 and 13, and most expensive on December 26 and February 13. The busiest days for international hotels are December 4 and 27. Expedia expert Melanie Fish noted that the period around Christmas and New Year is traditionally one of the busiest, but for travelers with flexible dates, a trip in early December or in February can bring significant savings on flights.
Where people are heading in winter
By year-over-year growth in search queries, Paris, New York and Amsterdam lead the rankings, with Bangkok and Tenerife rounding out the top five; the top 10 also includes Dubai, Tokyo, the Canary Islands, Barbados and Prague. In the list of trending destinations, first place went to Exuma in the Bahamas, with search queries up 115%. It is followed by cold-weather destinations: Quebec in Canada (+75%), Malmö in Sweden (+45%) and Japan's Hakone, known for its hot springs (+40%), as well as Curaçao in the Caribbean (+40%). For fans of winter sun, Expedia names Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Martinique (both +30%), as well as Ocho Rios in Jamaica (+20%). For cold-season enthusiasts, the researchers note growing interest in Zakopane in Poland (+20%) and Turin with its Christmas markets (also +20%). 'From Caribbean sunshine to Christmas markets in Poland and Sweden — people are choosing trips that help them enjoy the season rather than simply get through it,' Fish said.
