2021 International Holiday Travel Report

The holiday season is expected to be a busy one, as travelers are eager to get away and spend the holidays with family and friends. Many travelers are looking towards international destinations for the holidays this year. The expert team at Hopper has analyzed its database of over 30 billion daily airfare price quotes from flight searches happening all across the web and rounded out the top international deals for the holidays - along with the most popular international destinations for this holiday season.

Summary:

Best International Deals for Thanksgiving

• The best deals on international destinations for Thanksgiving are Cancun, Mexico (#1), San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (#2), and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Cancun for Thanksgiving is $338, down 30% from $482 in 2019, but up 7% from $316 in 2020. 

• Europe: Historically low airfares are available on some European destinations for Thanksgiving, including Lisbon, Portugal (#1) and Zurich, Switzerland (#2). Frankfurt, Germany (#3) was our third best deal available, although it is not seeing historically low prices. Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Lisbon for Thanksgiving is $524, down 19% from $650 in 2019, and even down 14% from $611 in 2020. 

Best International Deals for Christmas

• The best deals on international destinations for Christmas are Medellin, Colombia (#1), Oranjestad, Aruba (#2), and St. Thomas Island, U.S. Virgin Islands (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Medellin for Christmas is $514, down 42% from $887 in 2019, and down 2% from $525 in 2020. 

• Europe:  The best deals on European destinations for Christmas are Athens, Greece (#1), Berlin, Germany (#2), and Geneva, Switzerland (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Athens for Christmas is $827, down 28% from $1,141 in 2019, but up 5% from $791 in 2020. 

Most Searched International Destinations for the Holidays by U.S Travelers (Outbound from the U.S)

• The most searched international destinations for the holidays from the U.S. are San Juan, Puerto Rico (#1), Mexico City, Mexico (#2), and London, UK (#3). 

Most Searched U.S. Destinations for the Holidays by Foreign Travelers (Inbound to the U.S)

• The most searched U.S. destinations amongst inbound international travelers for the holidays are New York City, NY (#1), Miami, FL (#2), and Los Angeles, CA (#3). 

Most Booked International Destinations by U.S Travelers for the Holidays (Outbound Travel from the U.S)

• The most searched international destinations for the holidays from the U.S. are San Juan, Puerto Rico (#1), Cancun, Mexico (#2), and Mexico City, Mexico (#3). 

Most Booked U.S. Destinations by Foreign Travelers for the Holidays (Inbound Travel to the U.S)

• The most booked U.S. destinations amongst inbound international travelers for the holidays are Miami, FL (#1), New York City, NY (#2), and Orlando, FL (#3). 

Best International Deals from the U.S for Thanksgiving 2021

The best deals on international destinations for Thanksgiving are Cancun, Mexico (#1), San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (#2), and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Cancun for Thanksgiving is $338, down 30% from $482 in 2019, but up 7% from $316 in 2020. 

Best Deals to Europe from the U.S for Thanksgiving 2021

Historically low airfares are available on some European destinations for Thanksgiving, including Lisbon, Portugal (#1) and Zurich, Switzerland (#2). Frankfurt, Germany (#3) was our third best deal available, although it is not seeing historically low prices. Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Lisbon for Thanksgiving is $524, down 19% from $650 in 2019, and even down 14% from $611 in 2020. 

Best International Deals from the U.S for Christmas 2021

The best deals on international destinations for Christmas are Medellin, Colombia (#1), Oranjestad, Aruba (#2), and St. Thomas Island, U.S. Virgin Islands (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Medellin for Christmas is $514, down 42% from $887 in 2019, and down 2% from $525 in 2020. 

Best Deals to Europe from the U.S for Christmas 2021

The best deals on European destinations for Christmas are Athens, Greece (#1), Berlin, Germany (#2), and Geneva, Switzerland (#3). Today, a good deal round-trip ticket to Athens for Christmas is $827, down 28% from $1,141 in 2019, but up 5% from $791 in 2020.

Most Searched International Destinations from the U.S for the Holidays (Outbound from the U.S)

The most searched international destinations for the holidays from the U.S. are San Juan, Puerto Rico (#1), Mexico City, Mexico (#2), and London, UK (#3). 

Most Searched U.S. Destinations by Foreign Travelers for the Holidays (Inbound to the U.S)

The most searched U.S. destinations amongst inbound international travelers for the holidays are New York City, NY (#1), Miami, FL (#2), and Los Angeles, CA (#3).

Most Booked International Destinations by U.S Travelers (Outbound Travel from the U.S)

The most searched international destinations for the holidays from the U.S. are San Juan, Puerto Rico (#1), Cancun, Mexico (#2), and Mexico City, Mexico (#3).

Most Booked U.S. Destinations by Foreign Travelers (Inbound Travel to the U.S)

The most booked U.S. destinations amongst inbound international travelers for the holidays are Miami, FL (#1), New York City, NY (#2), and Orlando, FL (#3).

Airfare to Hawaii for the Holidays

With Hawaii having just reopened to tourists, travelers may be eager for a warm-weather getaway this holiday season. A good deal on domestic airfare to Hawaii for the holidays is over $1,000 round-trip for the holidays, with Honolulu (HNL) at $1,013/round-trip and Kahului (OGG) going for $1,002 round-trip. Hawaii Island (KOA) was the priciest airport to fly into, at $1,303 round-trip. These prices on average are about 10% down from the 2019 holiday season, and 15% up from 2020.