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Holiday Travel 2025: KAYAK Data Shows Searches Up 10% and Airfares Trending Down as Travelers Turn to AI tools for Smarter Planning
BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to data from KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, holiday travel interest is up 10%
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[{"type":"text","content":"BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to data from KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, holiday travel interest is up 10% year-over-year. Despite higher interest, prices across major travel categories are stable or down, giving travelers more opportunities to find affordable trips this holiday season.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nHoliday Travel Forecast: Interest Up, Prices DownKAYAK flight search data indicates that interest in holiday trips are up 10% compared to 2024, showing that travelers are eager to take seasonal getaways. Prices are trending favorably across most categories:International flight prices are down 7% YoYDomestic flight prices dipped 1%Rental car prices dropped 6% (U.S.)Hotel rates held steady (+2% domestic / +5% international)\"Interest is strong, but prices are holding steady or lower compared to last year,\" said Kate Williams, KAYAK travel trends expert and CCO. \"There are deals to be found if you are able to be flexible with dates and destinations.\"Trending Holiday Destinations: Eastern Europe Takes the SpotlightEastern Europe has emerged as a top holiday travel trend in 2025, with several destinations seeing major increases in flight searches compared to last year:Warsaw, Poland – up 73% YoY, known for festive markets and great valuePrague, Czech Republic – up 65% YoY, offering classic holiday charmTallinn, Estonia and Budapest, Hungary also saw notable increasesNew flight routes and the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen Area are making the region more accessible and appealing to U.S. travelers seeking affordable, culturally rich winter escapes.Where the Holiday Deals Are: Top Destinations to Find DealsFor travelers hunting value, KAYAK found these destinations having the biggest drops in airfare compared to last year:Domestic travel deals:Myrtle Beach, SC: airfare down 18% YoY (average $342)Bozeman, MT: down 10% (average $509)Reno, NV: down 15% (average $414)International travel deals:Tokyo, Japan: down 29% (average $1,071)Venice, Italy: down 18% (average $823)Helsinki, Finland: down 19% (average $727)For travelers who treat holiday deals like a sport: in 2024, Cyber Monday delivered the lowest domestic fares of the season (average $316), while Travel Tuesday offered the lowest international fares (average $793), trends travelers may see again in 2025.Best Days to Fly (...