Ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas, soaring airfares and gas prices are driving up the financial burden for year-end travelers.
According to a recent report by the New York Times, airfares in September rose by more than 22% compared to the same period last year. Hopper, a travel booking platform, reported that the average price of a domestic round-trip ticket for Thanksgiving is $389, a 39% increase from last year. Christmas airfares also climbed 22% to an average of $452.
In response, travel experts have shared five effective ways to save on travel expenses.
Be Flexible with Dates and Airports
The first strategy is to flexibly choose travel dates and airports. According to Kayak, a flight search platform, departing on Thanksgiving Day can save travelers up to 19% on airfare. Utilizing connecting flights instead of direct ones is another option, as direct flights are on average 20% more expensive than layovers.
Consider Alternative Transportation
Second, travelers should consider alternative modes of transportation instead of flying. For group travel, driving, taking a bus, or riding a train can often be much more economical. For instance, a round-trip flight between New York and Pittsburgh costs about $450, whereas buses start at $100 and trains at $225.
Book Christmas Flights Early
Third, it is recommended to book Christmas airfares now. Data from the flight comparison site Points Path indicates that booking about 56 days before departure yields the lowest prices, with 33 to 67 days prior being the optimal booking window.
Take Advantage of Mid-December Lull
Fourth, travelers can take advantage of the mid-December off-peak period. Travel demand drops relatively between the end of Thanksgiving and the start of Christmas. Notably, Caribbean cruise fares for this December are down an average of 8% compared to last year.
Explore Alternative Destinations
Fifth, consider exploring alternative destinations instead of popular hotspots. From Christmas through New Year’s Day, lodging rates at famous resorts and ski destinations skyrocket. Experts suggest budget-friendly Asian destinations like Bangkok, Thailand, as smart alternatives.
Experts emphasize that flexibility in travel dates, destinations, and transportation is the key to minimizing year-end travel expenses.
