Google Flights Unveils Winter Holiday Trends Among U.S. Travelers

Data from Google Flights show that Americans have already made up their minds about the destinations they want to visit over the upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

According to the travel platform, the top-searched Thanksgiving spots include Orlando, New York, Miami, Phoenix, Puerto Rico and Los Angeles.

Regarding international destinations, Americans are booking their trips to Cancun, Tokyo, London, Paris, Mumbai, Bangkok, Rome and of course, Barcelona.

Americans’ Preferred Destinations for Thanksgiving 

These statistics apply to flights departing from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, according to Google Flights.

When looking for destinations to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve without leaving the country, Americans have chosen Orlando, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Juan, Chicago and Phoenix.

Meanwhile, those eager to travel overseas will be heading to Tokyo, London, Paris, Cancun, Rome, Manila, Bangkok, Madrid, Sydney, Punta Cana, Mexico City and Mumbai.

Americans’ Preferred Destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve

These statistics apply to flights departing from Dec. 22 to Jan. 5, according to Google Flights.

Analyzing the two tables more closely, we can notice that Americans are more likely to travel overseas during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with bookings to Tokyo, London, Manila, Bangkok, Madrid, Sydney, and Rome. 

In contrast, many Americans plan to stay within the country for Thanksgiving, favoring cities like Orlando, New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

In a nutshell, Orlando is the most sought-after destination regardless of the holiday, followed by Cancun and New York.

And, despite some international travel, Americans will likely travel domestically over these three holidays.

When to Book to Get the Best Deals

Keep your credit card handy! The best time to book flights for Thanksgiving is early October, revealed James Byers, Group Product Manager at Google Search.

For those planning to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve away from home (or visiting family), try to book your tickets in late October, especially if they are domestic flights.

Pro tip: Type “cheapest time to book” on Google Flights to find the best fares. You’re welcome!