holiday travel 2022

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WHERE WILL YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE TAKE YOU?

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The world is just waiting to be explored. From the best of the U.S. and Canada, to exotic excursions in Europe, Africa, and beyond, Holiday Vacations delivers the world’s most captivating destinations in comfort and style. Get inspired for your next adventure, or find the perfect way to experience your bucket list vacation.

Activity Levels

Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.

Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Very Active

Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

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Are vacation packages worth it.

Vacation packages can save a lot on your 2024 vacation, as discounts may be available when booking multiple aspects of your vacation at once, such as the hotel and the flight. Flights and hotel packages can include a car rental at your destination. Check our package deal today on Expedia!

How much do vacation packages cost?

The exact cost of a vacation package varies based on various factors such as destination, accommodation quality, flight class, and even the time of year you visit. The type of vacation you embark on can also affect cost with options like family packages and all-inclusive packages . You can search for your specific price range, too, with plenty of vacations under $1,000 , for example. 

How to choose your vacation package?

To find the best vacation package, you'll need to consider the type of vacation you're looking to enjoy and the destination. Using the site's search function, you can find a wide variety of packages available for your chosen vacation location, while search filters can narrow down options based on vacation type. Browse our deals now.

How to find cheap vacation packages?

If you're looking to save, be sure to set filters for any budget limitations you may have in your search. Additionally, you can sort by price to automatically put the cheapest options first in your search results. Weekend getaway packages can be relatively inexpensive as well if you are looking for cheap getaways. 

How to vacation on a budget?

Budget-friendly travel is easy when you book with Expedia, as we can help you keep prices low via search filters, but that's not all. There are general trends to keep in mind regarding prices, such as travel packages generally being cheaper during the off-season of your vacation destination. Additionally, the higher the quality amenities you opt for, the higher the price typically is.

How to get great vacation deals?

Vacation deals are common with Expedia, as we offer plenty of discounts on great packages, with packages already being a deal compared to booking hotels and flights separately.

How to find last-minute vacation deals?

To book last-minute vacation trips, simply input your travel dates into the search and see what's available at that time for your destination. You can still filter based on virtually anything you can imagine, including amenities, price, star rating, and more.

Where should I go on vacation?

Booking a Hawaii vacation package is especially popular with all sorts of travelers, whether it's families or couples, and Disney World packages have much to offer for families. Consider the kind of vacation you're looking for to determine the perfect destination. 

What are some of the best vacation spots?

Top vacation spots include cheap Caribbean vacations and European vacation packages . With rich culture, history, and stunning natural beauty, a vacation package to these destinations can provide an unforgettable adventure. 

Where to go on a vacation in the US?

Staying in the US still offers easy access to great vacation places with Vegas packages and a Grand Canyon vacation being popular choices among other options. Whether you’re seeking the thrills of the Vegas Strip or the majestic views of the Grand Canyon, browse your options today.  

Where to go on vacation on a budget?

Cheap vacation ideas can still take you to a variety of great cheap vacation destinations, including Yellowstone vacations and Glacier National Park vacations . Parks and outdoor experiences tend to be free, so national park vacations are excellent for a budget-friendly trip. 

What are some great all-inclusive vacation packages?

All-inclusive vacations to the Bahamas and all-inclusive vacations to Cancun are some of the best options available, putting you in a Caribbean paradise. However, all-inclusive vacations are more varied than you might think, with worldwide options. 

What are the best destinations for a family vacation?

Traveling with kids means you'll need to find fun for the whole family, and Orlando vacation packages can put you and your little ones in the world's theme park capital. Of course, a vacation package to Anaheim offers a similar experience on the West coast. 

Where should I go on vacation this summer?

If you're looking to embrace the season, head to the beach with a summer vacation package to Destin . Of course, you may be more interested in escaping the heat with something like a vacation package to Vancouver . 

How to find cheap beach vacations?

In your search, you can apply search filters for beach trip packages and sort your results by price to see the cheap vacation options first. With those standards, you can find amazing cheap trips with beach vacation packages like vacation packages to Panama City and vacation packages to Myrtle Beach . 

What are some great couples' vacations?

Traveling with your partner means a more romantic adventure, which is easy when you book vacation packages to Honolulu . However, you can always opt for the classics and get a vacation package to Paris . Even a simple 3-day cheap getaway can be suitable. 

What are the best destinations for a luxury vacation?

One of the best destinations for luxury is a Las Vegas vacation package , as the city was essentially designed to make visitors feel luxurious. Of course, a Lake Tahoe vacation package can be just as fulfilling as a more outdoor-oriented experience. Golf vacations also tend to be quite elegant. 

How to find great Christmas vacation packages?

To find an excellent package for a Christmas vacation, simply put your travel dates into the search and discover what's available. Vacation packages to New York and vacation packages to Chicago are trendy around Christmas. 

Where to get ski vacation packages?

Ski vacation packages are readily available on Expedia, including vacation packages to Aspen , vacation packages to Vail , and packages to other notable ski resorts. Check out the deals now and book your next ski vacation today.  

Can I cancel my vacation package with Expedia?

Yes, you can cancel your vacation package via your itinerary page on Expedia or by contacting customer service. Remember that some packages are fully refundable, but the details vary based on each unique booking. A fully refundable package may depend on how far out from the travel dates you're canceling and what airline you are travelling with.

Why should I book my vacation package with Expedia?

Booking with Expedia makes it easy to plan your entire vacation in advance. Vacation packages with airfare included can also feature a rental car and even activities in some cases, with discounts typically coming with booking more than one aspect of your trip at a time. One Key members will earn  OneKeyCash  with every eligible booking that you can use to save on future eligible bookings. Membership is free, sign up today!

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12 Once-in-a-lifetime Trips to Book for 2022

The inspiration you need to start planning an epic return to international travel.

Looking ahead to 2022, one thing seems clear: It is the year of the bucket-list vacation. After a year and a half of canceled plans, topped with a hefty dose of emotional recovery , we are unleashing our wildest, most over-the-top travel dreams on the year 2022.

Even in the throes of a pandemic, the hospitality industry never stopped creating, and as a result, there is so much opportunity to see something new in your dream destination. Whether you're called to the crystal clear waters lining Sardinia or the revelatory Kyoto culinary scene , we invite you to plan your 2022 travel with these 12 bucket-list trips.

Napa Valley, California

Napa is simultaneously a once-in-a-lifetime trip and a destination you'll want to return to every year. After struggling through the pandemic and a heartbreaking string of wildfires, Napa has rebuilt — and its resilience is on full display at the hotels, restaurants, and wineries in the area. Start your over-the-top Napa vacation at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection in Calistoga, California. Calistoga is known for an eclectic mix of off-the-beaten-path wineries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection just went through an elaborate renovation , and the dog-friendly property now has new multi-room suites; a brand-new restaurant, Picobar, from its impressive culinary team; and a stunning, reimagined pool area. On your 2022 trip to Calistoga, you'll also find the highly anticipated Four Seasons Napa Valley — the brand's first foray in Northern California wine country — where you can un(wine)d and dine in the lap of luxury.

Paterson, South Africa

For a South African safari unlike any other, stray from the classic Kruger National Park trip to instead seek out a private game reserve, which makes the wildlife experience more intimate and deeply impactful. Shamwari Private Game Reserve , in Paterson, South Africa, offers two daily game drives, bringing guests in search of the Big Five (black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and Cape buffalo). These animals are actually native to the land Shamwari Private Game Reserve sits on. As a casualty of colonization, the animals left the area, but were ethically reintroduced when the private reserve was established in 1990. Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to eight luxury lodges — and only the guests of each lodge are allowed to safari here. The newest lodge, Sindile, is five-star glamping at its finest — the rooms offer plunge pools and views of the plains where you can see giraffes grazing from your sprawling balcony.

Loire Valley, France

An hour-long train ride whisks you out of Paris to the northern edge of Pays de la Loire, where you'll find a château that was once under the ownership of an actual baron and baroness. Hotel Château du Grand Lucé opened to the public in 2019, but the property dates back to 1760 and is littered with statues given to the estate of Louis XV. Nothing says bucket list quite like staying in an actual French château that formerly housed royalty. While the Loire Valley is known for its wineries, this trip is all about the château life, biking through and picnicking in the flower-filled Jardin Exotique , and exploring the ever-quaint surrounding town of Grand Lucé.

Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica

While others may be tempted by beachside resorts in Costa Rica, avoid the crowded tourist hot spots and escape to Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica. With more than 150 acres of pristine natural landscape, you'll have plenty to explore, including a coffee farm, remote tribal village, and lush rainforest. Hacienda AltaGracia , a new resort from the Auberge Resorts Collection, is your gateway to paradise and opens late 2021. Take it all in the caballista way, riding on horseback and enjoying your desayuno by the river each morning. Feeling even more adventurous? Leave the grounds altogether and hop onto one of the resort's ultralight flights to get a birds-eye view of all the rainforested area has to offer.

Sardinia, Italy

Perhaps the most coveted beach destination in Italy (and certainly the most star-studded), Sardinia is home to mesmerizing white sand beaches with glistening turquoise waters and an abundance of luxury resorts perfect for a triumphant return to travel. Baglioni Resort Sardinia just opened in June 2021 and is set on a beautiful marine reserve, while Hotel Pitrizza offers next-level villas that ensure serenity and privacy. Finally, make sure to look into Hotel Cala di Volpe for a classic luxury see-and-be-seen experience on Costa Smeralda — the property is newly renovated and home to chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's renowned restaurant, Matsuhisa .

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is emerging as an iconic Asian city destination, and one of the most necessary stops on a trip to Japan. Their luxury hotel scene continues to surge, as does the city's culinary prowess, as more and more visitors realize how simple it is to tack a trip to Kyoto onto their Tokyo itinerary. To bring your trip to true bucket-list levels, the new FUFU Kyoto offers a wildly luxurious take on the classic Japanese ryokan . FUFU is home to exceptional hot springs baths ( onsen ) and, in true Kyoto fashion, a restaurant that sources local ingredients and prepares traditional Japanese dishes with contemporary flair. Continue your exploration of Kyoto by diving into Kaiseki (high-end Japanese dining) culture at restaurants like Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama .

Taghazout Bay, Morocco

Exploring Morocco on a multi-stop trip — visiting Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and more colorful, souk-filled destinations — is an aspiration for plenty of global travelers. But travelers shouldn't miss south Morocco, where, 200 miles south of Marrakech near Agadir, you'll find Taghazout Bay, a fishing village turned luxury enclave right on the Moroccan coast. For the new hot spot to book, Fairmont Taghazout Bay just opened in July 2021 with a number of superfluous beach villas and ocean-facing suites. At the new hotel, you'll experience an exemplary display of Middle Eastern and African hospitality, beautifully landscaped pools and grounds, and an exquisite stretch of the north African Atlantic coast.

Turks and Caicos

For those whose travel aspirations involve white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, Turks and Caicos is the pinnacle of Caribbean dream destinations. From the idyllic shores of Grace Bay to the private islands, like Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos offers some of the most lavish experiences in the Caribbean Sea. One of the must-book trips of 2022 will undoubtedly be The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos — the hotel just debuted in June 2021 with ocean view suites, Club Level perks, two pools, and a spa, among other island offerings.

Sedona, Arizona

Immerse yourself in the healing culture of Sedona in 2022 and let the serenity of undiscovered hiking trails and the natural beauty of the red rocks feed your soul. At Enchantment Resort , the newly opened Trail House connects you with guides who will curate the exact outdoor experience you need — whether that's learning to mountain bike in order to conquer your fear of heights, or take a guided hike through the legendary Sedona energy vortexes. And for a brand-new luxury experience that honors the magnificent Sedona landscape, look into Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel , opening in Dec. 2021, where each free-standing atrium suite offers panoramic views of the red rocks and a private rooftop with a fire pit.

The Maldives is certainly a bucket-list escape, and a perfect early 2022 trip when you want out of the East Coast cold. Maldivian vacation culture revolves around the one island, one hotel concept — and is there anything more luxurious than feeling like you're on your own private island? For your holiday in the sun, venture to the new Patina Maldives , by Capella Hotel, Group known for their luxury properties in Asia. Designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, the 90-villa resort is spread between multiple private islands with a chic beach club and numerous fine dining options — all a 45-minute boat ride from the main airport.

London, United Kingdom

Londontown is officially open — that means the pubs are in full swing, the museums are back with new exhibits, and the sought-after restaurant reservations are once again nearly impossible to book. If you're looking for an upscale return to London, Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts , is new on the Mayfair luxury hotel scene. They reopened after a complete overhaul just before the pandemic, and now boast over-the-top suites perfect for your once-in-a-lifetime return to travel. Your time here will consist of walks around the charming neighborhood — Mayfair is widely known as the Beverly Hills of London — and sumptuous high tea at the hotel. Looking for more phenomenal U.K. culture? Take in a broadway show — "Hamilton" runs in London until Feb. 2022 — or travel to London in July for Wimbledon.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The Jackson Hole vibe isn't just see and be seen — it's ski and be skiin'. The luxury lifestyle in Jackson Hole keeps getting better, and this coming winter, it has all the makings of a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. First, fly to Jackson Hole with newly launched seasonal flights from Aero , one of the newer semi-private jet companies offering travelers an opportunity to get in on that seemingly unattainable PJ life. Then, treat yourself to the pinnacle of American luxury skiing: a weekend at Amangani , where the snowcapped Wyoming scenery of Glacier National Park meets the idyllic infinity pool that fuels your Instagram dreams.

Holiday Airfares Are the Highest They’ve Been in Years—Here’s the Best Time to Book and How to Save

Fear not, fellow procrastinators. it’s not too late to book holiday travel, but act swiftly and smartly..

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San Juan, Puerto Rico, is among the most popular travel destinations this holiday season.

Photo by Robert V. Ruggiero/Unsplash

This year, my husband, our two young kids, and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving a little differently—on an airplane. When we initially looked into booking four economy round-trip flights over Thanksgiving week, to say we experienced sticker shock is an understatement. So, we played with the dates and opted for a less conventional flying time (i.e., the exact moment when countless Americans will be sitting at the dinner table) to score a better deal.

This tactic is among several hacks that can help you beat this year’s soaring holiday travel airfares.

“After two years of depressed holiday season travel due to waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are gearing up for a season of Thanksgiving and Christmas travel once again,” reports travel booking site Hopper in its 2022 Holiday Travel Outlook . “Significant factors including jet fuel prices, fewer flights scheduled, and two years of pent-up holiday travel demand will combine this year to drive Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares to their highest in the last five years.”

The good news is that while holiday airfares are reaching a five-year peak, travel costs are at least coming down from summer 2022 highs. Flight prices have dipped 8.8 percent since last month, and hotel room rates are down about 2.3 percent since last month, according to Sally French, travel expert at financial advice site NerdWallet .

“Hotels and airfares hit record highs during the summer of 2022, but those prices have reached a top,” states French. But, she adds, “If you’re building your next vacation budget based on a 2019 trip, understand that you’ll likely pay far more now for pretty much every expense.”

Fortunately, there are ways you can save. Here are some expert tips on how to cut costs and when the ideal time is to book those holiday flights and travel.

The best time to book holiday 2022 travel

For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hopper recommends booking between now and October 20. “Prices will continue to fall until early September then remain relatively flat until mid-October,” Hopper reports. But the sooner the better. With each passing day, tickets tick upwards. Ideally, you should have your holiday travel booked by October 10.

How to get a good deal on holiday travel

Start planning now.

Get ahead of the last-minute rush—and price spikes—by locking in holiday travel plans ASAP. Booking patterns indicate that during the pandemic travelers became more prone to making last-minute decisions due to an uncertain travel climate. But now is the time to break that habit for those who want to save some money on flights, car rentals, and hotels.

Look into off-peak dates and times

You may not need to go as far as my family did and fly on Thanksgiving proper, but it helps if you can avoid the most popular travel times. “For Thanksgiving, flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday of the following week will save you the most,” notes Hopper. (We also did the following week for our return and will be flying back the Wednesday after Thanksgiving to nab more affordable fares.) Flying out the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek the following week could also help you save on flights.

Create price trackers and alerts

A helpful way to monitor airfares is to use the price tracking tools on sites like Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak. Use these alerts to compare flights and then lock them in when they appear to be at their lowest or most reasonable. Airfares will continue to move up and down daily into early October, before steadily rising in the last two months before Christmas. “The next few weeks of volatile prices means travelers who are proactively monitoring prices could get notified of great, time sensitive deals,” Hopper notes.

Know a good deal when you see one

How do you know when to book? According to Hopper, as of mid-September, what would be considered good-deal domestic round-trip airfares for Thanksgiving are averaging $350 and for the Christmas period they are averaging $463. So, if you’re finding fares around those prices or lower, you likely aren’t going to find anything much better. For international round-trip airfares, Thanksgiving averages are $795 and Christmas averages are $1,300. (So maybe if you were thinking to go somewhere abroad, Thanksgiving is the better time to do so this year. )

Be open to alternate destinations (and airports)

If you’re flying to see friends or family, obviously there isn’t much wiggle room on the destination. But you can always look into nearby hubs that might offer more attractive airfares. Maybe see what’s on offer at Burbank or Long Beach versus LAX, LaGuardia versus JFK, or Oakland airport versus SFO.

And if you are planning to go on a vacation somewhere other than home for the holidays—maybe an escape to Mexico or the Caribbean or are dreaming of the holiday markets in Europe—but aren’t decided, perhaps let the airfares help dictate your final decision. A great deal could be just the motivation you need to finalize your plan and the place, including to somewhere you maybe hadn’t thought of before.

The most popular domestic destinations for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year include Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Seattle. As for international destinations, the most popular destinations for the holidays this year include Cancun, Dublin, Madrid, Manila, and Mexico City. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and higher fares, you may want to look for alternatives to these popular places.

Holiday travel 2022: Expert predictions and tips to save money

How bad will the 2022 holiday travel season get? So bad that people like Raj Mahal are telling everyone to stay home.

And that’s remarkable because Mahal has created an app called PlanMoreTrips , which helps people save money when they travel. It’s almost like a car manufacturer asking you not to drive. Or an airline telling you not to fly.

Mahal, who lives in Seattle and often flies to Chicago, says round-trip airline tickets typically cost about $300. This year, he paid $525 to get to the Windy City. He’s staying home for Christmas — and not just because of the prices .

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“This will probably be one of the most expensive holiday periods ever,” he warns. “When you factor in the recent airline issues, the likelihood of more cancellations and delays , my advice is to stay home.”

Ah, but what if you don’t have a choice? What if you have to be at Grandma’s for Thanksgiving or with the kids for Christmas? 

When should you book flights, hotels and car rentals for this year’s holiday season? Are airports and airlines likely to have significant disruptions? Or is this the year to stay close to home for the holidays?

Seattleites want to travel during the holidays, says Annie Scrivanich, a senior vice president of Cruise Specialists and a Seattle resident. “Mexico, Caribbean and Hawaii are top cruise destinations, with the South Pacific and Central America following close behind,” she says. “The more adventurous visit the Galápagos or Antarctica.”

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How much will I pay to travel?

No matter who you ask, travel during the holidays will be dramatically more expensive. The latest forecast, issued last week by the travel app Hopper , predicts record-high prices for almost all modes of travel.

For Thanksgiving, domestic round-trip airfares will average $350 nationwide, up 22% compared to 2019. But for some markets, as Mahal discovered in Chicago, they’re significantly higher. Hotel rates will average $189 per night, and if you want to rent a car, you’ll pay an average of $60 per day. Hopper didn’t track hotel and car rental rates in 2019, but car rental rates are down about $10 from last year.

For the Christmas travel season, domestic airfares will rise 31% from 2019 to $463. Hotel rates will average $218, but rental cars will cost a little less — just $53 per day on average. 

Bottom line: You’ll pay significantly more than you did during the last pre-pandemic holiday travel season. Thanksgiving travel will cost a little less than Christmas.

Hopper says you can save money by planning early. For Thanksgiving, travel on Monday, Nov. 21, or on Thanksgiving itself to find the lowest fares. The Monday or Tuesday before Christmas are the cheapest days to fly. For best results, book your airline tickets no later than Oct. 10.

“It’s best to book flights, hotels, car rentals and other reservations as soon as possible,” advises Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist with Seven Corners , a travel insurance company. “The longer you wait, the more expensive tickets are likely to be.”

Are airports and airlines likely to have major disruptions?

Seattle escaped some of this year’s air-travel disruptions . Airlines canceled about 2.5% of flights out of Sea-Tac for the first six months of the year. That’s about three-quarters of a percentage point better than the national average.

Airlines delayed about 18% of their flights from Seattle, which is slightly better than the national average of 21%. But experts aren’t sure if their luck will hold this fall. Most industry watchers are looking for even more cancellations and delays later this year.

“It is unlikely the aviation industry will manage to staff up to accommodate the traditional holiday demand,” says Mercedes Zach, a travel expert at ASAP Tickets . “Passengers should prepare for long lines and, if necessary, book flights with slightly longer connections than usual.”

What’s driving the crisis? High travel demand — particularly for flights — continues to exceed supply, according to Janna Hyland, an aviation analyst at Crisis24 . 

“That, plus the training backlog of pilots, staff shortages and rest requirements of current airline crew, are all creating major disruptions,” says Hyland.

And then there are weather delays , which are historically worse during the winter holiday travel season.

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“Travel-related emergencies due to operational issues and weather-related disruptions are more likely,” says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com , a travel insurance marketplace.

That doesn’t even factor in a possible resurgence of COVID-19 . It all adds up to the high likelihood of travel chaos.

Should you travel during the winter holidays?

That’s the big question for many travelers. 

“I’m on the fence,” says Sam Finch, a marketing strategist from Seattle. “On one hand, I want to be cautious about COVID and flu season ramping up because of holiday travel.”

His biggest fear is that a COVID surge will worsen staffing problems at airports and in the hospitality industry. The result, he fears, will be “chaos.”

“I’m leaning toward staying home and visiting family in the offseason,” he says.

But he may be in the minority. A recent survey by travel insurance company World Nomads found that nearly half of respondents were planning between two and three trips in the next year, and 39% were taking at least one trip.

“While it’s no secret that there has been some turbulence in the travel industry, such as major delays, lost baggage , cancellations and increased cost, this isn’t stopping people from planning their next trip,” says Christina Tunnah, general manager of marketing and brands at World Nomads.

Tips for planning your holiday travel

Don’t wait to book. “My No. 1 advice to clients is to plan as early as possible,” says Melissa Beers, a travel adviser with MyJourneyBeginsTravel.com . “Demand for airline seats, hotel rooms and concierge-level travel experiences is still outpacing supply and most likely will continue in 2023.”

Avoid the most popular holiday destinations. Travel agency Trevolution Group says for the Seattle market, the most popular destinations for travel from the Pacific Northwest between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in North America are the Mexican cities of Cancún, San José del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Overseas, the biggest international destinations are Manila, Philippines, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. If you want to go there, wait until after the holidays.

Don’t book the wrong days. Here’s another revelation from the Hopper data. There are wrong days to book your ticket. If you fly the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving or a few days before Christmas, your ticket price rises by as much as $300. Instead, book earlier or later — or, if you can, fly on the holiday itself, which is usually much quieter and less expensive.

Sure, staying home is an option. But if you wait for the perfect conditions to travel, you may never go anywhere.

“It’s a great time to finally start traveling again,” says Shelley Ewing, president of Tier One Travel . “The world has adapted to the hurdles that the pandemic threw at us, and it is becoming easier to travel. It might look a little different. But it is doable.”

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

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The Best Time to Book Holiday Travel? ‘Basically Now.’

Avoid New York City, Orlando and Las Vegas. Consider Lisbon, Athens or Dublin for Thanksgiving, and stay home for Christmas, when travel costs will be the highest in five years.

By Elaine Glusac

According to the travel industry, it’s time to get nervous about the holidays, specifically Thanksgiving and Christmas travel.

Travel’s recovery, while good for the economy, means that reservations and rates for everything from flights to hotels, vacation rental homes and rental cars will likely be higher than last year, when the emergence of the Omicron variant dashed many holiday plans, and in some cases even higher than in 2019.

“The pent-up demand for travel in 2022 is alive and well as we head into the holidays,” said Diana Hechler, the president of D. Tours Travel , an agency in Larchmont, N.Y.

Flight patterns

Historically, the holidays were always among the busiest and most expensive times to travel, and some predict this year will look more familiar than the last two.

“What we’re seeing from an airfare perspective is a renormalization,” said Scott Keyes, the founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights , a subscription service that finds inexpensive airfares. “Things look more like 2019 now than at any time since the pandemic began.”

He described it as a “smoothing out” of demand after the bust of the pandemic and the explosion of travel last spring, and a return to regular patterns, including consistent bumps in prices as the holidays get closer.

In other words, the era of the last-minute flight deal is over.

“The best time to have booked those Thanksgiving and Christmas flights was June and July, and the second best is basically now,” Mr. Keyes said.

Based on recent flight searches at the search engine Kayak , the average price for round-trip domestic travel during Thanksgiving week this year is $468, up nearly 50 percent from last year, and 30 percent more than in 2019. New York City, Orlando and Las Vegas were the most searched cities.

The same data shows an even higher jump at Christmas, to $574 for the average domestic flight during Christmas week, up 50 percent over prepandemic fares.

With more people working remotely, many travelers have more flexibility over when to fly. In that case, you may be able to shave a few dollars off airfares by following the advice of Expedia , the online travel agency. Its data shows that fliers can save 30 percent, on average, by flying on the Monday before Thanksgiving compared to the prior weekend. Returning home post-feast, Friday, Nov. 25, and Monday, the 28th, are the cheapest days to fly, saving five to 10 percent compared to Sunday, Nov. 27.

Over Christmas week, Expedia found ticket prices are around 20 percent cheaper on Monday, the 19th, and Tuesday, the 20th, compared to Sat., Dec. 17.

Based on 33 billion price quotes over the past five years, the booking app Hopper recommends making travel plans no later than Oct. 20. The service predicts that tickets will rise $10 a day from the end of October through Thanksgiving. The same pattern will take hold for Christmas week flights beginning in mid-November.

In late September, Jessica Stroup, a physical therapist in Chicago, used Google Flights to start tracking December flights to Syracuse, N.Y. From $194 round trip, they began to inch up by early October, convincing her to act when they hit $214. “It was up $10 and then $5 and I just knew we had to buy,” Ms. Stroup said.

Hopper’s lead economist, Hayley Berg, predicted that Christmas 2022 “will be the most expensive in five years” thanks to a variety of factors, including jet fuel prices, inflation, a low supply of seats as airlines continue to restrain capacity and high expected demand. Thanksgiving rates are currently in line with 2019.

‘The hidden best week’

For bargains, holiday-season travelers should look abroad, particularly in late November, when domestic travel is expensive.

“I like to call Thanksgiving the hidden best week for international travel,” Mr. Keyes said. “Essentially, it’s one of the cheapest times to travel for the whole year.”

To illustrate that point, he recently priced round-trip tickets from New York City to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at $567 and to Lisbon for $429. Dublin, he added, was widely on sale from many American airports, with fares under $600 round trip.

“Also, hotels, car rentals, everything will be at low-season rates,” he added.

Similarly, in a recent email campaign, Kayak flagged round-trip flights to foreign destinations as cheaper than domestic ones over Thanksgiving week. From San Francisco, it found flights to Athens at $684 compared to Orlando at $687. From Denver, it suggested Mexico City at $429 compared to a trip to New York City at $478. From Miami, it listed Lima, Peru, at $399 as cheaper than getting to Austin at $425.

Still, it won’t pay to wait to make a decision on traveling abroad at Thanksgiving. Virtuoso , the consortium of travel agencies, expects bookings to surge for international travel in the next seven weeks as more than half of its international bookings by Americans for Thanksgiving travel in 2019 and 2021 were made in October and November.

Not all foreign travel will be cheaper. Caribbean destinations, for example, often experience a Thanksgiving bump.

“Generally, we recommend going against the crowds and avoiding those for the major holidays,” said Jonathan Alder, the chief executive at Jonathan’s Travels , a Los Angeles-based agency, who is encouraging clients to consider travel abroad to places like Europe and Japan. “With the yen, euro and pound very low right now, travelers are definitely in store for a far better value than they would get at a beach destination.”

Rental home holidays

The pandemic gave rise to the trend of renting a vacation home, rather than gathering at a family home, according to vacation rental services.

HomeToGo said holiday rental searches are up 30 percent compared to before the pandemic. Average nightly rates on the platform are $395 over Thanksgiving and $424 over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, or roughly 60 to 70 percent higher than other weeks in November and December.

Holiday reservations to date at RedWeek , which rents timeshares in popular resort destinations, are outpacing last year and are more than triple bookings for Christmas 2019 and four times those made for Thanksgiving that year.

Searches on the vacation home rental site Vrbo for the holiday season are up nearly 10 percent over last year, with strong bookings in popular coastal destinations in Hawaii and North Carolina.

At AvantStay , which rents out more than 1,000 vacation homes in the United States, Thanksgiving week bookings are up almost six times those made in 2019 and Christmas week reservations are almost quadruple compared to the same period before the pandemic.

Home-like hotels are riding the intimacy wave, too. While it normally sells out one to two months before the holidays, Deer Path Inn , which is modeled on an English mansion, in Lake Forest, Ill., booked up six months in advance this year, with Christmas reservations tripling 2019 results, which management attributes to increased family vacations and staycations for locals over the holidays.

‘Festive season’ renewed

In industry parlance, “festive season,” or the holiday period between Christmas and New Year’s when travelers book resort destination vacations, is back this year.

According to Priceline , holiday travelers are bullish on Hawaii, where flight searches are up five times year over year from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Other popular destinations include Palm Springs, Calif.; St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Jackson, Wyo.

Even without the huge numbers of Asian travelers visiting Hawaii as they did prepandemic, holiday rates in the Highgate hotel portfolio for properties on Maui and Oahu are 20 percent above 2019. Rates for Royal Lahaina Maui over Christmas start at $725.  

“By this past May, space was already at a premium” in the Caribbean and Hawaii, according to Ms. Hechler, the travel adviser with D. Tours Travel.

Management of the Rosewood Bermuda expects the island resort to be three-quarters full Dec. 24 to 31, an increase of 20 percent from last year and, with rates recently starting at $625, up about $250 a night.

As an expanding list of foreign destinations reopen, many people are forgoing traditional destinations for more adventurous trips.

“Continuing the trend post-Covid lockdown, we’re sending more clients to exotic destinations,” said Avery Harris, the director of marketing for Viking Travel , an agency in Chapel Hill, N.C., listing client trips planned to cruise the Nile in Egypt and hike in New Zealand. “People seem to be doing more traveling for the experience, rather than traveling to relax and escape.”

Kyte , a car rental service in the United States, is tracking longer rental terms, sometimes four and six weeks, over the holidays.

“This year the holidays will also be more about ‘exploration’ compared to the ‘getting together’ that we’ve seen last year,” wrote Ludwig Schoenack, a co-founder of Kyte, in an email. “While people will definitely look to visit family, the sky is the limit with travel bans lifted.”

Elaine Glusac writes the Frugal Traveler column. Follow her on Instagram: @eglusac .

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Experts Predict What 2022 Holiday Travel Will Be Like

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

Two and a half years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still feeling its effects on the travel industry in big ways.

This summer has been one of the most frustrating periods, as travelers have had to navigate canceled flights, lost luggage, escalating prices and a general sense of chaos. But will this trend persist into the holiday season?

Below, experts share their predictions for holiday travel this year ― as well as advice for keeping the stress to a minimum.

Even more people will travel for the holidays this year.

“While I still think 2022 holiday season travel numbers will lag behind 2019, they will be well above 2021 and 2020 totals,” Phil Dengler, co-founder of The Vacationer , told HuffPost. “The majority of COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, which really puts the virus out of a lot of people’s minds when they consider traveling. On most days, TSA checkpoint numbers are only slightly behind the equivalent day from 2019.”

There was massive demand for travel this summer, and experts expect it to continue into the holiday season ― or, at least, to be greater than in 2021.

“The past two holiday seasons were surprisingly robust for being solidly in pandemic times, but one problem that prohibited even more families from traveling was there was still no vaccine for 5 and under,” said travel host Samantha Brown . “We now have that vaccine, so families with younger children will feel it’s safer to fly.”

Another difference between last year’s holiday season and the upcoming one is awareness of the COVID-19 omicron variant ― and the recently authorized booster shots aimed at protecting against it.

“Last year in early December, omicron spread and a lot of people changed their travel plans,” said Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy . “Barring any unforeseen circumstances or new variants, people are feeling comfortable traveling again and the world has reopened dramatically since last year.”

Because of this, travel issues will inevitably persist.

“Unfortunately, the demand this summer exceeded the supply of pilots, so cancellations and delays were common and frustrating for millions of Americans,” Dengler said. “I think that demand is going to continue into this year’s holiday travel season, which is going to cause more cancellations and delays around Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Dengler predicted that 2022 holiday cancellations will stem more from a lack of pilots and other staff than from COVID-related sick calls, as was the case in 2020 and 2021.

“There is no quick fix to the lack of pilots, so it will be an issue for the holiday season,” he emphasized.

The day before Thanksgiving will be particularly rough.

“We are still recovering from the summer of travel hell, and even though operations have returned to normal in terms of cancellations, delays and luggage not showing up, I still have zero confidence in the airlines having it together for ... the day before Thanksgiving, aka the busiest travel day of the year,” Brown said. “If you can avoid taking a plane on Wednesday, [November] 23rd, do it.”

Because Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, the air travel patterns are easy to predict. Experts maintain that the Wednesday before Turkey Day, and the Sunday after it, are the busiest days for flying ― and therefore the most likely to involve some headaches.

“Fly Tuesday and Saturday ― or fly Thanksgiving Day, which is very quiet,” Brown urged. “Or better yet, host Thanksgiving and have everyone come to you!”

The same goes for the Friday before Christmas.

“With Christmas Day on a Sunday, flights on the Friday and Saturday just before will be packed,” said Sheldon Jacobson , a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois who specializes in operations research. “Consider flying during less crowded days.”

Several experts also predicted that Dec. 22, a Thursday, will be a busy flying day. Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, a Monday and Tuesday, are expected to be the worst days for return flights.

“We encourage those who can work remotely to avoid the busiest travel days by extending their trips and working from their destination for a few days,” said Melinda Haughey, CEO and co-founder of the interactive mapping service Proxi . “They can then spend evenings exploring hidden gems in their destination city or catch up on quality time with friends and family.”

International travel will be up.

The past two holiday seasons saw a higher percentage of domestic travel than in pre-pandemic times. However, Kelly believes we’ll see more people taking international trips again for their Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah breaks.

“I also foresee a surge in international travel, especially to places in Asia as those destinations continue to reopen,” he said. “People are eager to take those aspirational trips. On the flip side, prices will start to rise again too.”

Booking early is key.

“I strongly advise those looking to travel this coming holiday season to book their flights as soon as possible,” Dengler said. “There are only a limited number of flights and seats around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the desirable routes sell out quickly.”

He emphasized that prices will only increase as we get closer to the holidays.

“Ideally, you have your holiday flights booked already, but there are still good deals available,” Dengler said. “Aim to book Thanksgiving and Christmas flights by the middle of September. At the latest, book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween and Christmas flights by Thanksgiving, but even then you will be paying a premium.”

Even if you aren’t traveling by plane, the same wisdom applies to other forms of transit like trains and rental cars. Since demand is high around the holidays, it’s best to lock in a solid rate as soon as possible, as prices will only climb the closer we get to that peak travel time.

Morning flights are probably better.

You can’t control whether a flight will be canceled or delayed, but there are things you can do to better your odds of a smooth travel experience.

“If you must fly, book the first flight out,” Brown said. “It’s miserable waking up at 4 a.m. to get to the airport, but that first flight is the one that is most likely to leave on time. Any other disruptions, weather, mechanical difficulties start to compound as the day grows older.”

In addition to booking early morning flights, Dengler recommends opting for nonstop whenever possible.

“Nonstop flights are better because your odds of experiencing a delay or cancellation increases with each connection,” he said.

Checking luggage might not be advisable.

By now, we’ve all seen the reports of lost and delayed luggage chaos around the world. Although things have improved a bit, the busy holiday season could involve a revival of that unfortunate phenomenon, so you may want to carry on your presents to avoid Christmas-morning disappointment.

“I recommend avoiding checking your luggage if possible,” Dengler said. “Airlines struggled with losing and delaying bags during this past summer’s busy travel season. The lines were also extremely long at some airports to check your bag, which adds to the stress. I think airlines will face similar issues for the holiday season, so carry on your luggage if you can.”

Preparation is crucial for smoother holiday travel.

“In 2020 we saw decreased travel, in 2021 we saw more travel but anxiety about how to travel safely, and in 2022 we believe that travelers will go into holiday travel prepared for an uncertain experience,” Haughey said. “We expect travelers to adapt the way that they travel, including willingness to pay for ways to alleviate this stress ― like buying Clear or arriving at the airport early, then splurging on lounge access.”

The frustrating air travel scenarios that came to pass in high numbers this summer have given people very low expectations for a pleasant experience.

“Expect the unexpected, so if things go smoothly, you will be pleasantly surprised,” Jacobson said. “If they do not, roll with each punch. Book flights with ample connection times. Give yourself sufficient time to get through airport security. Enroll in PreCheck, as an efficient way to traverse airport security. Pack light, and wrap presents after you arrive at your final destination.” (For a fuller explanation of PreCheck and Clear, see here .)

Kelly recommended being proactive and using tools to stay on top of your itinerary.

“Track your flight via FlightAware to see where it’s coming from,” he suggested. “ExpertFlyer is another great tool to check and see if there are other flight options out there or upgrades. Be sure to book ahead and utilize Google Flights to see when airfare is higher or lower than average. Lastly, use your frequent flyer miles when possible, to give yourself maximum flexibility in the event you need to change or cancel your trip.”

And beyond preparing for travel logistics, passengers can continue to do their part to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading COVID by wearing face masks at travel hubs like airports and train stations ― as well as on the planes and trains themselves. Similarly, if you’re exhibiting COVID symptoms, consider taking a test before you head out the door, to help protect staff and fellow passengers.

Passengers need more transparency from airlines.

As we head toward the holiday season and new year, passengers would benefit from being able to feel more secure about the reliability of air travel.

“I personally would like to hear from the airlines with a postmortem of what happened and the specific steps they are taking (hiring pilots, ground crew, reducing flights) that will ease, if not make these problems disappear,” Brown said. “And it does need to be specific, not just saying ‘we are doing all we can.’ The number of passengers showing up every day to fly should not have come as a surprise to them, and yet it appeared they were caught totally off guard.”

No matter how frustrating things get, try not to take out your anger on the employees at the airport and on your flight. They do not control the schedule or corporate policies, and they likely share many of your frustrations. Patience and kindness go a long way.

“Remember that the airline personnel working during the holidays are helping you enjoy your holidays, while they are missing their own,” Jacobson urged. “Thank them for their service.”

All that said, there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic.

“Every holiday season is a challenge for the airlines,” Jacobson said. “The six-week period between Thanksgiving and the New Year have surges of demand with mostly people that are not frequent flyers.”

Although the unprecedented crew shortages and flight disruptions have posed a challenge this summer, he has some hope for the upcoming months.

“With ample time to meet demand, the airlines should be forewarned to ensure that crews are available and schedules are solidified,” Jacobson said. “I am optimistic that they will deliver on that front, though early winter storms can derail even the best laid plans.”

Kelly similarly believes there might be more hiccups this holiday season compared to last year's, but he shares some of Jacobson’s optimism.

“I’m hopeful things will get better as airlines and airports regroup this fall,” he said. “But I still suspect some busy airports like London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol to have some challenges.”

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Flying over the holidays won't be as terrible as this summer — but you should still prepare for long lines and delays. Here's how to avoid headaches.

• The number of travelers flying this holiday season is expected to meet, if not surpass, 2019 levels. 
• But flying over Thanksgiving and Christmas will likely be less chaotic than this summer, experts say.
• These are the best and worst days to fly, and when you should buy your tickets (right now). 

Flying this summer was enough to scar even the most experienced traveler, leaving many of us wondering if the industry will be able to clean up its act in time for the quickly approaching holiday season. 

The number of travelers flying during the winter holidays is expected to meet — if not surpass — pre-pandemic levels, with more than half of Americans planning to travel over Thanksgiving or Christmas, according to Hopper data . Searches for holiday travel are up 25% for Thanksgiving and 35% for Christmas through New Year versus last year, Expedia told Insider. 

Despite robust demand, most experts agree that flying during the six-week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas will likely be less chaotic than the summer for two main reasons: 

• The summer's surge in travel was prolonged over a three-month period, while holiday surges are more date-specific, making them easier for airlines to prepare for.
• Most major airlines have announced winter schedule cuts to prevent staff from being spread too thin. 

Cancellations among US carriers have already seen a major improvement, dropping from 2.2% of total flights over the Memorial Day weekend to just 0.6% over Labor Day weekend, according to FlightAware data.

But travelers should still prepare for possible flight disruptions, especially on notoriously busy travel days, Phil Dengler, founder of the travel research website The Vacationer, warns.

"There still are going to be cancellations and delays because demand is just higher than the supply right now," he told Insider. "So it's still going to be an issue but it's definitely going to be better than it was in the summer."

How to avoid flight disruptions over Thanksgiving and Christmas

Holiday travelers walk through the detroit metropolitan wayne county airport on november 21, 2021 in detroit, michigan matthew hatcher/getty images.

Dengler recommends booking an early morning, non-stop flight directly with the airline to minimize your chances of disruptions. 

Packing a carry-on instead of checking luggage can also cut down on the time you spend in line at the airport and decrease the odds of losing your bag, he said. 

Related stories

On the booking side of things, the ideal time to nab cheap holiday flight tickets was during the summer months, but if you book now you can still get a reasonably priced fare, Dengler said. To avoid being overcharged, he recommends booking your Thanksgiving flights by Halloween and your Christmas flights by Thanksgiving — at the latest. 

"Thanksgiving travel airfares are already 22% higher than in 2019 and 43% higher than last year," he said, adding that the best non-stop flights will be "sold out within the next few weeks."

Fall and winter flight options are more limited this year than in previous years, as major airlines have announced substantial cuts to their schedules in order to prevent understaffing. 

"With fewer routes to certain cities, you're potentially going to have to book a layover flight when in the past you may not have had to, which is, unfortunately, going to increase your chance of a delay or cancelation," Dengler explained. 

The best and worst days to fly 

Regardless of a global pandemic or industry-wide meltdown , there are some days that have consistently proven to be an awful time to fly. 

Since Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday every year, the busiest travel days are typically the Wednesday before and the Sunday after. Fares are the cheapest for flights on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Dengler said. 

For less expensive flights and less hassle, Dengler recommends flying out on Sunday, November 20; Monday, November 21; Tuesday, November 2; or Thursday, November 24 and flying home on Friday, November 25; Monday, November 28; or Tuesday, November 29.

The busiest days for Christmas are harder to predict since it doesn't always fall on the same day of the week.

For 2022, Dengler expects the busiest travel days to be Thursday, December 22; Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; and Tuesday, December 27. Better days to fly out are Sunday, December 18; Monday, December 19; or Tuesday, December 20, he said. Christmas eve and Christmas day flights are generally cheaper. 

To avoid the post-holiday rush, Dengler recommends flying home on Wednesday, December 28, or Thursday, December 29. 

Even if you follow all the tips and hacks out there, travelers should always have a plan-B if everything goes wrong, Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, told Insider. 

"Be prepared and have an open mind," she said. "Stuff happens. Sometimes weather comes and your flights change. Sometimes everything doesn't go your way." 

Partner offer: Find the best travel insurance policy for your needs and avoid costly surprises. Learn more about travel insurance here.

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3 Tips to Keep Your Holiday Travel Costs (and Stress) in Check

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Compare the cost and hassle of travel methods. The way you've always done it might not still be the best.

Look at ways to cut down on credit card spending or ways to pay your balance off faster in 2024.

The best time to look at cards with better rates and perks is before you start booking airfare and hotels.

Holiday travel in 2023 is poised to set records. This year, crowds will likely be bigger than they were over the past couple of years, based largely on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records.

In 2023, the TSA has already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA’s history. Among the biggest was 2023’s Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was last set back on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019. Thanksgiving is almost always the busiest day of the year . It was the busiest in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (only failing to claim that title in 2020 because, well, you know why).

So with that, expect 2023's post-Thanksgiving Sunday to set a new record for airport crowds. In fact, the TSA expects to screen 2.9 million passengers on Sunday, Nov. 26.

But it's not just airports. According to AAA, most Thanksgiving travelers actually drive to their destinations (rather than fly). And more drivers will be out this year versus last, with AAA projecting that 49.1 million Americans get behind the wheel, up 1.7% compared to 2022.

For many Americans, that travel comes with a hefty price tag, often paid for with a credit card.

A new NerdWallet survey found that 50% of Americans plan to spend money on flights or hotels during the 2023 holiday season. Of those holiday travelers, about three quarters (75%) plan to put some or all of the bills on their credit cards.

If you plan to join the ranks of holiday travelers, here are some tips to get you through the season with as little financial stress as possible.

1. Compare travel options

The way you've always traveled doesn't have to be the way you always travel. As creatures of habit, we often take the same familiar paths to get from point A to point B, even when other routes might be faster, cheaper or more efficient.

Whether it's to decrease costs or avoid headaches, rethinking your usual flying versus driving calculation can be a helpful first step toward low-stress holiday travel. And once you've made the decision, here are some tips:

If you're flying

Conversely, maybe flying makes more sense — particularly if you've got a long way to go, or you just don't have the time or patience to sit in a car. Luckily the rate of airline delays and cancellations is lower this yeear than it was last year, but the number is still not zero — which could be brutal if it affects you.

Before booking a flight in cash, look to your frequent flyer account to see if you can use points or miles to book flights . In fact, 30% of overall travelers say they plan to use points/miles to pay for travel expenses according to NerdWallet's 2023 Holiday Travel Report , and an even-higher 40% of millennial travelers say they will.

If you're driving

Our survey found that 12% of holiday travelers are planning to drive rather than fly. That might not be a bad idea, given how much lower gas prices are this year versus last year, when the national average on Thanksgiving was $3.58. Still, that doesn't mean gas is cheap. There's no shortage of gas apps to help you find lower prices . Other money-saving gas tricks include driving more wisely (yes, high speeds can reduce fuel efficiency) and avoid idling – which means planning your drive times outside of peak traffic hours.

If you're driving a car that's not yours, you don't necessarily need to use a traditional rental car. These days, more rental car alternatives including Turo , Getaround and Kyte offer unique conveniences and sometimes even lower prices than standard rental cars.

If you're letting someone else drive you

Then there are the travelers who turn to ride sharing services like Lyft and Uber to get them point-to-point. Happily for travelers who use these services, we've seen improvements to eliminate past headaches around cancelled rides and confusing surge prices.

Most notable is Lyft, which in November 2023 rolled out its On-Time Pickup Promise.

Here's how it works:

You book a ride in advance (you can schedule up to 30 days out), specifying the exact time you want to leave for the airport. When you schedule, you lock in that price so you won't be subject to potential surge pricing.

Lyft guarantees your driver will be there within ten minutes of your pickup time. If the driver doesn't show, the company pledges to give you up to $100 in Lyft credits to compensate lost time and potential expenses (such as if you book a taxi or an Uber instead).

That type of feature makes it so you can guarantee a car is there for your crack of dawn flight — and at least get generously compensated in the off-chance it's not.

2. Start saving, and plan for repayments

No matter how you get there, traveling for the holidays is an expensive proposition for many Americans. While 75% of holiday travelers plan to put some or all of their holiday travel costs on a credit card, many are also hoping to save to pay for their plans, according to our survey. In 2023, 18% of holiday travelers are turning to buy now, pay later services to help them pay for their travel, while 10% are taking out personal loans and 8% are taking out payday loans.

Given high interest rates, the latter options aren't necessarily the best because the cost of borrowing is so high this year. By setting money aside to make purchases in cash , you can avoid adding to your post-holiday debt obligations.

If you are going to pull out the plastic for your holiday travel, though, you should at least have a plan in place for how much you'll spend and how you're going to pay that debt off in 2024. Of those who put some of their holiday travel on a credit card in 2022, 8% reported in our survey that they still haven't paid off those expenses.

To avoid having your flights or gas bills looming over your Fourth of July next year, set up a repayment plan for yourself. You can start with NerdWallet’s credit card repayment calculator to figure out what you'll need to repay. Then, work that payment into a monthly plan so you can clear your debt and start saving for the 2024 holidays.

3. Examine your credit card options

According to our survey, holiday travelers say they'll spend $1,947 on average on holiday travel-related expenses. If you can afford to pay off your bill in full, then applying for a new travel rewards credit card can be an excellent way to maximize rewards for what's likely a period of higher-than-average spending.

Especially when you're spending that much in a short period of time, you can take advantage of travel credit card signup bonuses . You may also get benefits that cut down on your travel headaches. Many premium travel cards offer extra points when you book travel, annual statement credits for travel purchases, or reimbursement for the cost of programs that allow you to get through airport security faster or easier (like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck).

You might also find that your current card has an APR that's less attractive when it's holding onto a balance from the holidays. In that case, it may be worth considering a new balance transfer card to shift your travel spend into the new year. These cards offer a 0% APR for balance transfers , giving you more time to pay off your debt without having to pay interest.

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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HOLIDAY TRAVEL 2022: Here’s everything drivers, fliers need to know

Christmas is just days away, and many are preparing to hit the roads and skies for a holiday with their families.

AAA forecasts 3.3 million North Carolinians will travel 50 miles or more from Friday to Jan. 2. That’s 134,000 more North Carolina travelers than last year, and a new record high for this travel period since before the pandemic.

ALSO READ: Experts predict flying this holiday travel season could be most expensive in years

Nationally, we’ll see a similar spike: AAA predicts 112.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday season, an increase of 3.6 million people compared to last year and the third busiest since AAA began tracking in 2000.

“Despite inflationary pressures, consumers remain resilient and dedicated to travel this year, and the holidays will be no different,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Americans are spending more on travel than any other time in the past two years. The good news is the cost for a holiday road trip will be less expensive than anticipated, now that gas prices are on the way down.”

Airport passengers: Pack your patience

As people prepare for holiday travels, Charlotte Douglas is expecting thousands of passengers to fly in and out of the airport.

Airport officials expect the terminals to stay busy. They expect about 8% more travelers every day through this holiday period -- an average of 71,000 people a day over the next two and a half weeks.

Airport officials are once again asking everyone to get to the airport early and plan ahead. But they did say things ran smoothly there last month, at Thanksgiving time.

ALSO READ: Charlotte Douglas nears top of list for most airport cancellations in the US

95% of travelers got through TSA within 30 minutes, and the average wait time for security was 20 minutes.

Airport officials spelled out which days they’re expecting the highest numbers of passengers.

“Bookings do look good. So we are going to see some busy travel days on the 22nd, 23rd, and 27th. And also Friday of this week as well, which is the 16th,” said Jerome Woodard, the Charlotte Douglas Airport chief operating officer.

Officials said the only days over this holiday period that don’t look too busy are the days most people don’t want to fly -- Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

To save time, download the CLT Airport app. You can pay for parking ahead of time and you can check the wait times for each TSA line to find which is the quickest. You could also join TSA Pre-Check -- the average wait time is 5 to 7 minutes, but it does cost $78 and approval can take months.

Tips for holiday flights

According to the airport, Christmas is the second-busiest time of the year for Charlotte Douglas, followed by Thanksgiving. The two holidays differ because Christmas and New Year’s travel is spread over more days.

Travel prices are mostly higher for holiday 2022 than they were last year. Airfare is up 22% from 2021. The lowest round trip flight costs $166, compared to $135 in 2021.

Hotels cost 17% more this year than they did in 2021. A mid-range AAA Three Diamond property, which was $187 last year, costs $218 per night this year.

The one cost that has gone down is for car rentals, which cost 7% less this year. The average daily rate is $90, compared to $98 last year. Click for the full Leisure Travel Index for a breakdown on pricing.

AAA offers the following tips for air travelers:

Check-in early online.

Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.

Arrive 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.

Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or cancelled.

ALSO READ: Holiday travel with kids: Top survival tips

Tips from AAA for air travelers who have not booked their flights yet:

Book a flight that leaves early in the day. Flights in the afternoon and evening are more susceptible to delays and cancellations.

Book a direct flight. Otherwise, build in extra time between connections in case your first flight is delayed.

Consider traveling on Christmas Day. This could offer the best combination of availability and price.

Nearly 102 million on the roads and 7.2 million in the skies

90% of holiday travelers will drive this year; AAA estimates 101.8 million people will hit the road for holiday -- 2 million more drivers than last year.

In North Carolina, 3.1 million people will take a road trip. It’s an increase of 84,000 people from last year’s holiday, according to AAA.

Holiday road trippers are getting an early Christmas gift of plunging prices at the pump. The state average has declined 40 cents per gallon since Nov. 10. In early December, the average price for gas in North Carolina was $3.05 per gallon -- 7 cents per gallon less than a year ago.

>> Channel 9′s gas price tracker

In addition to congestion on the roads, holiday travelers will likely find long lines at the airport too. Since last year, air travel is up nearly 14% nationally as 7.2 million Americans are expected to catch a flight for the holidays. The numbers will come close to matching 2019, when 7.3 million people traveled by air.

Flight delays and cancellations this time of year aren’t uncommon. Winter weather, staffing challenges and strong demand are all reasons passengers might have difficulty flying.

Strong demand will create long lines at airports, and with winter weather as a wild card, you can have a hard time getting re-booked in a hurry.

ALSO READ: Where to find the tastiest comfort food in the QC

Busiest times to hit the road

If you’re driving for holidays, leave early. Watch the weather and wear your seatbelt. Never drive distracted or impaired.

Travelers should expect heavy congestion on Friday, Saturday, and Jan. 2. The busiest travel day is expected to be Friday.

More than 899,000 drivers will need AAA roadside assistance on holiday travel days. The most common reasons are for dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts. AAA encourages drivers to get a full inspection before getting on the road to check everything from the tires, oil, air filters and wiper blades.

Helpful Links:

Airport Parking Options

Interactive Parking Map

Flight Aware

TSA Travel Tips

(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte Douglas welcoming thousands of travelers for Thanksgiving)

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During any season, at any hour of the day, Moscow thrills visitors with its artistry, history and majesty.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

The Armoury dates to 1511, when it was founded under Vasily III to manufacture and store weapons, imperial arms and regalia for the royal court. Later it…

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Arbat & Khamovniki

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St Basil's Cathedral

At the southern end of Red Square stands the icon of Russia: St Basil’s Cathedral. This crazy confusion of colours, patterns and shapes is the culmination…

Moscow Kremlin

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Lenin's Mausoleum

Although Vladimir Ilych requested that he be buried beside his mum in St Petersburg, he still lies in state at the foot of the Kremlin wall, receiving…

Zamoskvorechie

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State Tretyakov Gallery Main Branch

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Why travel to Moscow

Contrasts: 12th century monasteries and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe can be found side-by-side in this complex and captivating city. The diversity of this mega-city is astounding. Only a few steps away from the solemn red facade of the Kremlin and the sounds of righteous church bells, a buzzing night scene and alternative-fashion boutiques can be found.

Culture: In Moscow only the best goes. Be it a theatre, restaurant or gallery, the standards are certain to be world-class. The Bolshoi ballet company is reputed to be even better than the Mariinsky’s and “MMOMA” (Moscow’s museum of modern art) exhibits works of art as profound as any that could be found in the famed MOMA.

Convenience: Unlike the rest of Russia, it’s easy enough to get by with just English in Moscow and, driving excepted, it is surprisingly safe: the murder rate is lower than in some of America’s major cities.

Top Sights in Moscow

St. Basil’s

Novodevichy Convent

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Why visit Moscow

It would take more than two days to walk around the perimeter of the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. Many of its inhabitants barely know what’s beyond the few blocks around their flat and there are so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. If there is such a thing as an antidote to boredom, Moscow City is it. The mind-boggling range and diversity of things to do, places to eat, parks, historical monuments and more means that a vacation in Moscow has a wealth of activities to offer for every type of traveler, from young families to retirees.

Reasons to Vacation in Moscow in 2022

The Bolshoi theatre is familiar to almost everyone as Russia’s grandest theatre, but what people don’t know is that there are many more bolshoi (big) sites in Moscow that are worth travelling all the way to Moscow to see. For more than 100 years, the world’s biggest bell has been hidden behind the Kremlin’s walls and inside Moscow’s main park (which is bigger than some countries!) there is the world’s largest outdoor ice-rink. Travelers that visit Moscow can stay at the Izmailovo, Europe’s biggest hotel, then eat at the largest and most historic McDonald’s in Europe and after that have fun at the largest European indoor theme park!

Ancient Past & Stunning Architecture:

As those who travel to Moscow will see, just because Moscow is a city of record-breaking, glitzy high-rises doesn’t mean that there is no history. On the famous Arbat street, time-worn, wooden storehouses and century-old churches are squashed up against grey, soviet blocks which are then towered over by 21st century office-blocks. Unlike its much younger sibling, St Petersburg, Moscow’s roots stretch way back to the 12th century. Within the walls of the Kremlin, the city’s oldest building the Cathedral of Assumption can be admired in all its 500+ years of age.

Culture & Convenience

For a foreigner who has never visited Russia, Moscow is the perfect stepping stone into this great land of mystery. From the country’s best classical ballet troupes to snow-white troikas trotting through the parks, all the highlights of Russian culture can be had in Moscow without any of the complications that would be expected in other, less developed regions of Russia.

Cheap as Caviar

In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn’t seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

We had a great time both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Your travel agency was excellent in coordinating the whole trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The guides assigned to us were very nice and friendly. They had a great knowledge of their subjects. The cars and the drivers were great. The hotels were good and the itinerary was good. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice dealing with you and your company. Thank you very much for a great Russian experience. Have a great future ahead

• 31 reviews of Express to Russia Moscow Tours in Moscow

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Maximize your time off work this summer: Turn holidays into long weekends

Are you looking to maximize your paid time off this summer? Here are a few holidays that might help you turn a paid day off into a longer stretch.

Memorial Day: Monday, May 27

Memorial Day is already a three-day weekend, but if you take off May 24 with paid leave, you can make it four. Or, if you're craving more time off, taking leave from May 28 to 31 gives a nine-day stretch without work and only uses four vacation days.

Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19

While more than half the U.S. got Juneteenth off work in 2023, it isn't a guaranteed day off for all workers.

President Joe Biden made the day, which commemorates the end of slavery, a federal holiday in 2021 and granted federal workers the day off . It is a recognized holiday by the state of Iowa, but it's not a paid day off for state workers.

This year Juneteenth falls in the middle of the week. If you want more time off to commemorate, take part in educational activities or relax, you can use two vacation days to make it a five-day weekend.

More: These 'serene' Iowa towns are best to escape to for a weekend retreat. What made the list?

Independence Day: Thursday, July 4

July 4 can become nine days off work by using only four days of time off.

This year, July 4 is on a Thursday. Taking off July 1-3 and 5 is the best way to optimize your time if you're looking for a long vacation. But, if you want to be simple with it, take off Friday, July 5 for a four-day weekend.

Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 2

Labor Day is the perfect way to say goodbye to the summer. It's automatically a three-day weekend for most workers, but if you take leave on Friday too you have an opportunity for a quick four-day trip.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at  [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter  @VictoriaReynaR

Sneak peek at the Tiki: The famed Hilton Head hot spot to re-open next month

SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV)– The Tiki Hut on Hilton Head Island has been the center of the island’s social scene since 1977.

Its original structure stood behind the Holiday Inn at the end of Pope Avenue. The laid-back vibe and blended drinks have drawn massive crowds to Coligny Beach, making it a wildly popular daytime destination for locals and visitors alike.

However, the hot spot has been closed for renovations since October. The new property owners have been pouring $13 million into what they say is a completely re-imagined space. There will be some changes and some things we can look forward to seeing again.

For starters, the pool has been gutted and completely rebuilt with a new deck that will have fully outfitted cabanas furnished with sofas, a television, and a mini-fridge. The bar itself will be 10 feet longer with added services with weather curtains to keep customers out of the wind and rain. Customers can bring their dogs, except for holidays including Memorial Day and Labor Day. Plus, there will also be a new Dunes Pavillion used for weddings and as a game space for oversized fun with Giant Jenga and Connect Four.

For those who love live music, there’s a new stage and plans to showcase up to three bands a day. Also, they will now serve a weekend brunch accompanied by the soothing sounds of local musicians.

Although the Tiki Hut will be open for business on Memorial Day weekend, the official grand opening will be on May 30th.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.

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Heathrow Airport bank holiday flights under threat as refuellers announce strike, warns union

A similar 72-hour walk-out was called by the unite union involving the same group of workers in july 2022, article bookmarked.

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Fifty aircraft refuellers working at Heathrow airport will strike for 72 hours from 4 May , meaning potential chaos on one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The action, part of a dispute over terms and conditions for new staff, has been timed to hit travellers over the early May bank holiday .

Those taking part are members of the Unite union working for AFS Aviation. The union says they refuel aircraft for 35 airlines at Heathrow, including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Air France, and warns the strikes “are likely to lead to severe disruption to airline services for passengers”.

AFS Aviation also services the three biggest US airlines – American, Delta and United – as well as Air Canada and Singapore Airlines.

The dispute is over reduced pension and sickness benefits for new staff recruited since the start of the year, leading to what the union calls a “two-tier workforce.”

The Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “AFS is behaving appallingly by attacking the T&Cs of new members of staff – those it views as the easiest to intimidate.

“But Unite will not stand for such bully-boy tactics and we will be backing our members in their fight for improved pensions and sick pay for all staff.”

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall added: “Our members recognise that if they allow this attack on their conditions to take place, before long this will become the norm. Unite won’t allow that to happen and is standing firm with our members on the picket line.

“AFS will have to answer directly to the airlines and passengers for the disruption caused by their unmerited actions.”

Sources at Heathrow say contingency planning is taking place. British Airways, which operates more than half the flights from Heathrow, has its own fuelling service and is unaffected.

The Independent has asked Virgin Atlantic and Emirates for comment.

A similar 72-hour strike was called by the Unite union involving the same group of workers in July 2022, over a peak summer weekend. But the dispute was settled before the action started after an improved pay offer was made.

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Train strikes in May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Rail lines are set for disruption in the week following the first May bank holiday as train drivers at 16 rail companies strike on different days.

Thursday 25 April 2024 10:29, UK

Train drivers will stage a fresh wave of strikes and overtime bans in May, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef union at 16 rail companies will walk out on different days from 7 to 9 May.

Additionally, all members will refuse to work any overtime from 6 May to 11 May.

Here is a full list of the services affected by strikes and when.

Rail strike dates

Tuesday 7 May

Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.

Wednesday 8 May

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.

Thursday 9 May

Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express.

Overtime ban dates

From Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May union members will not work overtime.

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, means some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

How do strikes and overtime bans affect services?

Strikes tend to mean services on lines where members are participating are extremely affected or cancelled entirely, whereas overtime bans often lead to reduced services.

Are there strikes on the Tube too?

There have been regular strikes on London Underground too recently, and while there aren't any planned walkouts for drivers, customer service managers are set to walk out on Friday 26 April in a dispute over terms and conditions.

There will also be an overtime ban for the customer service managers on the following days:

Monday 29 April

Tuesday 30 April

Wednesday 1 May

Tuesday 2 May

Wednesday 3 May

Thursday 4 May

Friday 5 May

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) says the action by its members is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including on the Saturday following the strike (27 April), while TfL has said on its website "some stations may need to close at short notice".

Despite the warning, a TfL spokesperson has said they aren't expecting significant disruption.

This action follows strike action taken by the same workers on 10 April, which the TSSA said had a "real impact" with "many stations shut at short notice".

They say they are "extremely concerned" about TfL's 'Stations Changes' proposals.

"We have made it clear that our union will not accept the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms, and conditions to stand unchallenged," a TSSA spokesperson said.

"We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith."

Commenting on the impending strikes, a TfL spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that TSSA is continuing with this strike action following a consultation process.

"While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

"There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations."

How can I stay in the loop?

You can use the National Rail's journey planner to see when trains are running.

Be sure to check it close to when you plan to travel, as it will be updated regularly.

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Why are the strikes still happening?

Aslef rejected a two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and another 4% this year, saying it is way below inflation, and is linked to changes in terms and conditions.

Aslef said train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

The union said after its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue taking industrial action, it asked the train operating companies to hold talks.

General secretary Mick Whelan said the year-old pay offer of 4% and another 4% was "dead in the water".

Related Topics

• London Underground
• Rail strikes