Why now is the best time to take a trip to Europe?

As the holiday season approaches, most travelers are thinking about their trips home for the holidays but what many don’t realize is it’s also a great time to consider a getaway to Europe. Prices to Europe in the spring and summer spike well over $1,000 per ticket, and travelers willing to pay the inflated fares are often met with incredible crowds of tourists across major and minor destinations in the region. For those travelers looking to explore Europe on a shoestring, planning a trip for the end of the year is a major way to maximize your budget. 

Airfare

Airfare to Europe for late fall and early winter is averaging $645 per ticket, -9% from this time last year and -5% compared to this time in 2019.  Prices for end of year trips are 40% lower than peak prices this summer ($1,085 per ticket in June). 

Prices to Europe are the lowest from mid October through mid December, averaging $560 per ticket to $630 per ticket over the course of the 9 weeks between the week of October 20th and December 8th. 

Accommodations

Hotel accommodations in major European cities also see prices drop at the end of the year as tourism and business travel slow down and fewer international travelers arrive each day. Average nightly rates in the top ten cities in Europe drop by 27% in December compared to June, when tourism is at its peak.

Top markets see prices drop by as much as 36% at the end of the year compared to peak summer months, offering travelers significant savings on one night, weekend or even week long trips. 

Source: 2023 ADR from COSTAR Market Insights

Shift from Summer Getaways to Fall Euro-trips

In recent years, we have seen a shift in when travelers are planning to take trips abroad. Instead of the peak summer months, many Americans are beginning to shift trips to Europe to cooler months, a trend that airline officials have also been noticing over the past couple of years as consumers look to escape the summer crowds and record heat of popular destinations. Airlines have reported they are seeing peaks occurring in September and October insead of the summer months.

In 2019, just 18% of all trips to Europe planned on Hopper were departing in September and October, compared to 23% last year. Similarly, trips to Asia in fall surged from just 14% of watches to 19% in the past 5 years. 

Most Popular European Destinations for End of Year

Destinations like London, Paris and Rome are popular all year round, and top the ranking of most searched for European destinations for end of year trips. Airfare to London and Rome is down compared to last year and 2019, while airfare to Paris is down -9% from last year, but remains elevated compared to 2019 levels. 

Trending & Unique Destinations for End of Year Euro-Trips

Unique and off the beaten track destinations are increasing in popularity across Europe. These destinations are increasing in popularity faster than other destinations in Europe, and offer lower prices for end of year travel compared to last year and 2019. Trending destinations include Mediterranean cities in the south of France, Greece and Cyprus, offering more temperate weather even in November and December. Far flung destinations like the Faroe Islands, Finland and Norway offer travelers the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, travel off the beaten path and even see the Northern Lights. 

Euro Trips over the Holidays

For Americans with both Thanksgiving and Black Friday off work the holiday week allows for an opportunity to take an amazing international trip on a budget, using just 3 days of PTO. Destinations like Dublin, Rome and London will be under $600 round trip from major US cities over the week of Thanksgiving for those interested in grabbing their passports and getting away! 

Deals Still Available to Book for Late Fall/End of Year:

• New York City, New York to Paris, France for as low as $371 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• New York City, New York to London, United Kingdom for as low as $376 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• New York City, New York to Dublin, Ireland for as low as $384 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• New York City, New York to Barcelona, Spain for as low as $391 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• New York City, New York to Madrid, Spain for as low as $401 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Chicago, Illinois to Barcelona, Spain for as low as $364 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Chicago, Illinois to Madrid, Spain for as low as $390 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Chicago, Illinois to Stockholm, Sweden for as low as $423 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Chicago, Illinois to Porto, Portugal for as low as $440 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Chicago, Illinois to Malaga, Spain for as low as $440 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Los Angeles, California to Dublin, Ireland for as low as $450 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Los Angeles, California to Barcelona, Spain for as low as $456 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Los Angeles, California to Milan, Italy for as low as $458 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Los Angeles, California to Athens, Greece for as low as $466 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Los Angeles, California to Luxembourg City, Luxembourg for as low as $473 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Dallas, Texas to Venice, Italy for as low as $472 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Dallas, Texas to Lyon, France for as low as $473 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Dallas, Texas to Zurich, Switzerland for as low as $479 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Dallas, Texas to Brussels, Belgium for as low as $480 per round trip ticket on Hopper

• Dallas, Texas to Vienna, Austria for as low as $482 per round trip ticket on Hopper