busiest travel days around thanksgiving

Thanksgiving travel tips: Best and worst days to fly or drive

Some airlines are expecting their busiest Thanksgiving ever.

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up to hit the highway or head to the airport -- and some airlines are expecting their busiest Thanksgiving ever.

Here's what you need to know:

Thanksgiving travel by air

AAA projects 4.7 million travelers will fly over Thanksgiving -- a 6.6% increase from last year. This would mark the highest number of people flying for Thanksgiving since 2005.

The busiest and most expensive days to fly before Thanksgiving will be Tuesday, Nov. 21, and Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to AAA.

The best day to go to the airport for Thanksgiving is Monday, Nov. 20, when flights will be 12% cheaper than on Nov. 22, according to Expedia.

MORE: Thanksgiving food price forecast, retailers with early deals and expert savings tips

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen 30 million passengers during its Thanksgiving travel period, which runs from Nov. 17 to Nov. 28.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever. In 2023, we have already seen seven of the top 10 busiest travel days in TSA's history," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. "We are ready for the anticipated volumes and are working closely with our airline and airport partners to make sure we are prepared for this busy holiday travel season. We will also do our best to maintain wait time standards of under 10 minutes for TSA PreCheck® lanes and under 30 minutes for standard screening lanes."

The most popular domestic destinations for Thanksgiving this year are New York City, Los Angeles and Orlando, Florida, according to Hopper. Internationally, the most popular cities are London, Tokyo and Paris.

The cheapest days to return home will be Friday, Nov. 24, or Monday, Nov. 27, according to Hopper.

United Airlines said it expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever, with over 5.9 million passengers -- a 13% increase from last year.

MORE: Supermarkets like Giant, ShopRite giving free turkeys for Thanksgiving again

United anticipates that Sunday, Nov. 26, will be one of its busiest days since before the pandemic, with more than 517,000 people expected to fly.

Related Stories

Harvey Weinstein rape conviction overturned in NY

• Apr 25, 4:54 PM

Key moments from Trump's SCOTUS immunity hearing

• Apr 25, 3:18 PM

Man kills wife, 3 kids in mass shooting: Police

• Apr 23, 12:35 PM

Due to remote work, United said its holiday travel period has extended. United said the demand for flying the Monday before Thanksgiving is up nearly 10% from 2019, while demand for flying the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is only up 3%.

American Airlines said it predicts a record 7.8 million passengers over Thanksgiving.

American said Sunday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Nov. 27, will be its busiest days.

"I think the best tip we can offer is to ask everyone to arrive early for your flights," said John Busch, TSA's federal security director at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. "Recommendation is always two hours before a domestic flight, three hours before an international flight."

Thanksgiving travel by road

AAA projects that 55.4 million people will drive 50 miles or farther from home for Thanksgiving -- a 2.3% increase from last year. This marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000.

The busiest day on the roads is expected to be Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. Drivers should leave home in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic, INRIX said.

On Sunday, Nov. 26, the worst traffic is forecast to be between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The best time to hit the road will be before noon, according to INRIX.

Related Topics

Biden says he's 'happy' to debate Trump

• Apr 26, 3:09 PM

3 big takeaways from Day 7 of Trump criminal trial

• Apr 26, 6:00 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Traveling for Thanksgiving? These are the busiest days to fly during the winter holidays

Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, and Tuesdays are the least busy. But during the holidays, that trend doesn’t necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is actually the busiest travel day for U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the numbers of passengers screened daily. Two days before Christmas and one day before Thanksgiving also tend to draw big airport crowds.

Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize schedules to avoid crowds and save money.

THE BUSIEST DAYS TO FLY AROUND THANKSGIVING

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. For every 100 people who flew on Thanksgiving Day 2021, there were 177 people flying out on the Sunday after, according to TSA.

That same Sunday was the year’s single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here’s a look at the days surrounding Thanksgiving week over the past three years, ranked in order of most to fewest air travelers at the TSA’s U.S. checkpoints:

— Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).

— Wednesday before.

— Saturday after.

— Friday before.

— Monday after (Cyber Monday).

— Sunday before.

— Tuesday before.

— Monday before.

— Saturday before.

— Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).

— Friday after (Black Friday).

— Wednesday after.

— Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

Assuming past trends continue in 2022, expect Sunday, Nov. 27, to be the  busiest travel day around Thanksgiving , followed by Wednesday, Nov. 23. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 26, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger than they were over the past couple of years.

“Thanksgiving travel volumes are looking similar to what we typically saw pre-pandemic in 2019,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel booking app Hopper.

THE BUSIEST DAYS TO FLY AROUND CHRISTMAS

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different weekday each year and that air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at Christmas and the seven calendar dates before and after over the past three years, ranked by most to fewest average air travelers, based on TSA checkpoint data:

— Dec. 27 (most crowded).

— Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).

— Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).

— Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).

— Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) (least crowded).

The 2022 holiday travel season will be different because Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, aligns closely with Christmas. While the eight -day celebration sometimes happens in November or early December, it begins this year on Dec. 18 and runs through Dec. 26.

There’s also the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, which runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Thus, travelers during that period might be celebrating more than just Christmas, potentially concentrating more holiday crowds in airports than in other years.

What’s more is that one of the busiest travel days of the year, Dec. 23 — the day before Christmas Eve — happens to fall on a Friday this year. Friday, you’ll recall, is typically the busiest travel day in any given week. Dec. 23 is not an official holiday, but many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

HOW TO CHOOSE LESS CROWDED (AND CHEAPER) TRAVEL DAYS

Traveling on the holiday itself is often the best way to avoid crowds. Catch the first flight out for the day, and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first eight months of 2022, 7.3% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

If you can take the days off work or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

Travelers can save an average of 15% by departing the first half of the week instead of the Thursday or Friday before Christmas this year, according to flight data from travel search engine Expedia. Average ticket prices for departures on the Monday before Thanksgiving are 15% cheaper than Wednesday departures, Expedia also found.

Or consider celebrating something like an un-Thanksgiving, where you shift the family dinner by a couple of days or weeks. Turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie don’t need to be reserved for the fourth Thursday of November.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter . | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

Recommended Stories

Nfl draft: packers fan upset with team's 1st pick, and lions fans hilariously rubbed it in.

Not everyone was thrilled with their team's draft on Thursday night.

NFL Draft: Bears take Iowa punter, who immediately receives funny text from Caleb Williams

There haven't been many punters drafted in the fourth round or higher like Tory Taylor just was. Chicago's No. 1 overall pick welcomed him in unique fashion.

NFL to allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps in games beginning with 2024 season

The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.

NFL Draft: Spencer Rattler's long wait ends, as Saints draft him in the 5th round

Spencer Rattler once looked like a good bet to be a first-round pick.

Michael Penix Jr. said Kirk Cousins called him after Falcons' surprising draft selection

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. said quarterback Kirk Cousins called him after he was picked No. 8 overall in one of the 2024 NFL Draft's more puzzling selections.

Korey Cunningham, former NFL lineman, found dead in New Jersey home at age 28

Cunningham played 31 games in the NFL with the Cardinals, Patriots and Giants.

NFL Draft: Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, picked by Chargers

Brenden Rice played the same position as his legendary father.

NFL Draft fashion: Caleb Williams, Malik Nabers dressed to impress, but Marvin Harrison Jr.'s medallion stole the show

Every player was dressed to impress at the 2024 NFL Draft.

NBA playoffs: Tyrese Hailburton game-winner and potential Damian Lillard Achilles injury leaves Bucks in nightmare

Tyrese Haliburton hit a floater with 1.1 seconds left in overtime to give the Indiana Pacers a 121–118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers lead their first-round playoff series two games to one.

Based on the odds, here's what the top 10 picks of the NFL Draft will be

What would a mock draft look like using just betting odds?

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Widely available players ready to help your squad

Andy Behrens has a fresh batch of priority pickups for fantasy managers looking to close out the week in strong fashion.

Dave McCarty, player on 2004 Red Sox championship team, dies 1 week after team's reunion

The Red Sox were already mourning the loss of Tim Wakefield from that 2004 team.

Everyone's still talking about the 'SNL' Beavis and Butt-Head sketch. Cast members and experts explain why it's an instant classic.

Ryan Gosling, who starred in the skit, couldn't keep a straight face — and neither could some of the "Saturday Night Live" cast.

Jackson Holliday sent back to Triple-A after struggling in first 10 games with Orioles

Holliday batted .059 in 34 at-bats after being called up April 10.

Arch Manning dominates in the Texas spring game, and Jaden Rashada enters the transfer portal

Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger & SI’s Pat Forde react to the huge performance this weekend by Texas QB Arch Manning, Michigan and Notre Dame's spring games, Jaden Rashada entering the transfer portal, and more

Heat shock Celtics, Ingram's future in NO & the Knicks-Villanova connection | No Cap Room

Jake Fischer and Dan Devine recap the NBA playoff games from Wednesday night and preview Thursday night’s action.

During 2024 NFL Draft coverage, Nick Saban admits Alabama wanted Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell to transfer to the Tide

Mitchell went No. 22 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

These are the cars being discontinued for 2024 and beyond

As automakers shift to EVs, trim the fat on their lineups and cull slow-selling models, these are the vehicles we expect to die off soon.

Orioles rookie throws Craig Kimbrel's 422nd save ball into Kauffman Stadium fountain, mocked by teammates

Colton Cowser threw Craig Kimbrel's 422nd save ball, which tied him with Billy Wagner for seventh on the career saves list, into a fountain. Whoops!

NFL Draft: Jim Harbaugh's Chargers get aggressive, trade up to take WR Ladd McConkey

Justin Herbert has a new receiver to work with.

The Busiest Travel Days For Thanksgiving To Avoid In 2022

Early birds get the open road.

Pack your bags and take those vacation days, because Thanksgiving is almost here. As the holiday season kicks off, so does the season of over-crowded roads and airports. To make sure you get to your dinner on time, you’ll want to avoid the most congested travel times. Take note of the busiest Thanksgiving travel days and times for 2022 to help make your trip a little less stressful.

If you thought summer travels were busy, then you better prepare yourself for the holiday travel surge. AAA’s Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast for 2022 predicts 54.6 million people will travel over 50 miles or more between Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 27. That’s 1.5% more than in 2021, and it’s “just shy” of pre-pandemic travel volumes, per the motor club federation’s 2022 press release. If you’re one of millions traveling to get your turkey dinner and pumpkin pie, crowded airport trams and bumper-to-bumper traffic might seem inevitable, but you can try to outsmart the holiday chaos.

It may seem like a fool’s errand with traffic-filled highways and packed grocery stores and shopping centers , but a little planning could go a long way. With so many places to go — and so many people out and about — you’ll want to steer clear of the absolute worst travel times during Thanksgiving.

What Are The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving?

People are on the move this season in “one of the busiest [times] for travel in the past two decades,” AAA’s senior vice president of travel Paula Twidale said in a Nov. 15 press release. For Thanksgiving, 89.1% of travelers will be driving, while 8.3% of holiday travelers will be flying to their destination. Catch the other 2.6% of travelers on a bus, a train, or a cruise ship.

Busiest Times To Drive During Thanksgiving Week:

AAA reported “INRIX expects severe congestion in several U.S. metro areas, with some drivers experiencing more than double normal delays.” So, have those road trip playlists and podcasts saved. According to AAA’s predictions for Thanksgiving 2022 and Google data looking at traffic patterns in 20 U.S. cities, these are the busiest times on the road (all hours are local time):

• Tuesday, Nov. 22: Traffic peaks between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. early in the week.
• Wednesday, Nov. 23: The worst time to travel is between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the height of congestion coming between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving): The worst time to travel is between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the traffic will continue to be a factor from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 25 (Black Friday): Traffic will start to get heavy around noon, and the worst time to travel is between 4p.m. and 8 p.m. Although, according to Google, the traffic at the end of night will be less than during the early evening.
• Saturday, Nov. 26: The worst time to travel is between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 27: Same as the day before, traffic will be the worst between 4p.m. and 8 p.m.

Oof, that’s a lot of traffic. The rule of thumb this Thanksgiving week is to avoid traveling in the late morning into the early evening.

Busiest Times At Airports During Thanksgiving Week:

Wednesday, Nov. 23 is expected to be the busiest day for Thanksgiving travel in 2022, per KAYAK, with Friday, Nov. 18 as the second busiest day. Data from Expedia shared with Elite Daily confirms Nov. 23 as the most popular 2022 Thanksgiving travel day, and Tuesday, Nov. 22 is right behind it.

For your return trip, airports will be packed on Sunday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 24, per Expedia.

Busiest Times At Train Stations During Thanksgiving Week:

According to intel from Amtrak shared with Elite Daily in a Nov. 18 email, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after will be the most crowded. So, if you’re hopping on a train Nov. 23 or Nov. 27, remember to pack your patience.

The Best Time To Travel During Thanksgiving

Before you let a sea of brake lights ruin your appetite, check out the best times to get to your Thanksgiving destination.

Best Time To Drive During Thanksgiving Week:

AAA’s 2022 Thanksgiving data and Google’s road traffic predictions also highlight when the roads will be the least congested (all hours are local time):

• Monday, Nov. 21 : Beat all the traffic by leaving at 8 p.m. the Monday before the holiday.
• Wednesday, Nov. 23: The best time to travel on Thanksgiving Eve is before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving): Hit the road early, before 11 a.m., to make it to your holiday meal, and stay off the roads until after 6 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 25 (Black Friday): Start your shopping before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Very early risers will see clear roads at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. as well.
• Saturday, Nov. 26: The best time to travel is before 2 p.m. or after 8 p.m. Set your alarm clock for open roads at 6 a.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 27: The best time to travel is before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Again, the earlier the better, with 6 a.m. being the best time to leave, according to Google.

Overall, early birds and night owls will likely see the least amount of traffic.

Best Time To Fly During Thanksgiving Week:

To avoid crowds, steer clear of Nov. 23 and Nov. 27. That’s not to say you won’t encounter crowds on other days, but it will certainly be fewer.

Best Time To Take The Train During Thanksgiving Week:

While Amtrak didn’t provide specifics on the optimal time for train travel, you can expect slightly lighter traffic by avoiding the day before and after Thanksgiving. Amtrak’s travel tips suggest getting to the train station at least 30 minutes before your departure time — and always check your train status to make sure it’s on time.

Staying Safe While Traveling For Thanksgiving

Take a cue from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tips “for a healthy and safe holiday travel season .” As of Oct. 6, 2022, the CDC recommends you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and a seasonal flu vaccine. You can check on the CDC website what that means for you . As of Nov. 1, 2022, the CDC says, “You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines if you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you by CDC.” The latest updated (bivalent) booster became available on Sept. 2 for people 12 or older, and can protect you from the original virus and Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.

The CDC emphasizes delaying travel if you test positive for COVID-19 and to isolate for at least five days. Testing is not required to fly domestically, but it’s recommended you test “as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before travel,” per the CDC. Similarly, masks are no longer required on public transportation, but it’s still recommended to wear masks “in indoor public transportation settings.”

If you’re traveling internationally , check local requirements as each country’s COVID protocols may differ from the U.S.

It can be overwhelming to think of all the travel prep and figure out when to leave as to not get caught in a traffic jam. There’s no exact science to make sure you won’t run into any holiday crowds — even with all the intel, there’s a chance your “not-busy” Thanksgiving travel time period will be a little slower than you want — but it still doesn’t hurt to plan for off-peak travel times. So, set your alarm and hope for the best. A slice of pumpkin pie is waiting for you on the other side.

This article was originally published on 11.17.20

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

The Best (and Worst) Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

Peter Thornton

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

The leisure travel industry has rebounded from the pandemic more than expected in 2021 and with more Americans comfortable traveling this year, it should be expected that the typical busy travel days around the Thanksgiving holiday will, once again, indeed be busy.

In 2020, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than one million passengers in a day only one time between mid-March and the week leading up to Thanksgiving. In contrast, more than one million passengers have passed through TSA screening every single day since mid-March 2021.

While the numbers are still lower than 2019 levels, airports around the country will be more crowded than we’ve become accustomed to since the start of the pandemic. Hopper is forecasting a daily throughput of about 1.9 million travelers for Thanksgiving, which is about 75% of 2019 levels and nearly double 2020 levels.

The 7 Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving

When to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021

Having flexible travel dates is the key to finding cheap flights any time of the year but this is even more apparent when traveling around a fixed holiday such as Thanksgiving. Historically, the Wednesday before and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are two of the busiest (and most expensive) travel days of the year for U.S. domestic travel.

With many kids back in school, it’s looking like this will be the case again in 2021, though if you’re able to flex your travel dates by just a few days or extend your trip to fly a week early or return a week later, you can save some money and avoid the largest crowds at the airport.

What Are the Worst Days to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021?

Of course, the best and worst days to fly for a holiday are subjective. Some might prefer to pay whatever it costs to maximize time with family while others will prioritize cost in order to make the trip a reality. From an airfare perspective, it’s best to avoid the busiest travel days.

• Wednesday, November 24 th
• Sunday, November 28 th

Data from both Hopper and CheapAir indicate that domestic airfare is averaging around $300 roundtrip for Thanksgiving travel, with flights returning on Sunday, November 28 th about $90/ticket more expensive than returning on Monday and $180/ticket more expensive than returning on Tuesday. This average is rising as we get closer to the date of travel and the actual price depends heavily on the route and which dates you choose to travel.

For instance, take these examples of roundtrip flights from New York-JFK to Los Angeles searched on October 14, 2021. Note: Prices will likely change before publication.

• Wed, Nov. 24 – Sun, Nov. 28: $712 nonstop on Delta
• Mon, Nov. 22 – Sun, Nov. 28: $632 nonstop on Delta
• Wed, Nov. 24 – Tue, Nov. 30: $418 nonstop on United
• Mon, Nov. 22 – Tue, Nov. 30: $325 nonstop on United

As you can see, adjusting your return travel date will likely have a bigger impact on price than adjusting your departure travel date. If you’re only flexible on one end, choose to return later after the holiday rather than depart earlier.

Other travel dates that are trending on the expensive side for Thanksgiving travel include:

• Saturday, November 27 th
• Monday, November 29 th

The Best and Worst Days to Travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas

What Are the Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving 2021?

Flying on the holiday itself will be one of the cheapest days to fly. Although this may not be ideal for many, if you’re just looking for an affordable way to see the family for Thanksgiving dinner, this may be an option to consider. Otherwise, extending your trip to leave and/or return on off-peak travel days can help reduce the cost of your flight. The cheapest days to fly for Thanksgiving 2021 include:

• Sunday, November 21 st
• Monday, November 22 nd
• Thursday, November 25 th (Thanksgiving Day)
• Friday, November 26 th
• Tuesday, November 30 th

Thanksgiving Travel Deals for International Travel

Since most Americans are focused on domestic travel around the Thanksgiving holiday, it is actually a great time to score a deal on international travel. Options are still limited due to travel restrictions, but it’s now possible for vaccinated travelers to fly to several destinations in Europe and a few more South American countries are opening their borders this fall.

You may be surprised to find that it’s cheaper (or only slightly more expensive) to fly your family across the pond than it is to fly across the country during Thanksgiving weekend. And you can usually find the cheapest international fares departing on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which are typically expensive days to fly domestically.

The Best Tools for Flexible Date Searches

Book Thanksgiving Travel Before Halloween

Whether you choose to fly domestic or international, it will be best to book your flights at least three weeks in advance, which is when airfares tend to rise even more. This means you’ll want to try and purchase tickets before the end of October. Hopper is forecasting that domestic airfares will increase around 40% if you wait to book until November and an additional 25% for last-minute bookings.

There have been last-minute sales for Thanksgiving travel in the past but with airlines flying fewer seats this year, it’s less likely that seats will need to be filled at the last-minute. And these types of sales in the past have typically been on ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier or Spirit and/or have only been for very limited off-peak travel dates/times.

Since most airlines are offering free changes to even the most basic tickets booked for travel through 2021, you can book now with the peace of mind that you can change your travel plans in the future without paying any extra fees. Bottom line, be flexible with your travel dates and book your Thanksgiving trip sooner than later for the best deals.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Australia: Upscale, 8-Night Cairns, the Gold...

Down Under Answers

Greenland: Luxe, All-Incl. 11-Nt Exploration Small-Ship...

Swan Hellenic

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Watch CBS News

Traffic, weather — what's ahead for travelers during Thanksgiving 2023

By Allison Elyse Gualtieri , Kathryn Krupnik

Updated on: November 22, 2023 / 8:48 PM EST / CBS News

More people travel for Thanksgiving than any other U.S. holiday, and they get on the road or board planes starting nearly a week ahead of time. Friday — Nov. 17 this year — is generally regarded as the start of the holiday travel season, which stretches to the Tuesday following the holiday, Nov. 28 this year.

It's already been a record year for travel: The Transportation Security Administration saw seven of the 10 busiest days in its history in 2023, said then-Administrator David Pekoske. The TSA expects to screen more than 30 million travelers over the period, according to a news release, noting the three busiest days have historically been the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after.

And don't expect a reprieve on the roads — most Americans will get to their holiday destination by automobile. More than 55 million people are expected to head at least 50 miles to their Thanksgiving destination between Wednesday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 26, and more than 49 million of them will drive, according to AAA . The organization predicts this year will see the third-highest travel numbers for the holiday stretch since 2000, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. 

But all that travel could be complicated by the week's weather . Some parts of the country are seeing storms, including rain in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during some of the heaviest travel times. 

Here's what to expect — and when.

The day before Thanksgiving: Wednesday, Nov. 22

If you're traveling the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, you'll have a lot of company. The Federal Aviation Administration says that's the day the most flights are scheduled — 49,606 of them in the U.S., to be exact.

Oh, my gourd, Thanksgiving is here! We’re forecasting a peak of 49,606 flights on Wednesday, November 22. If you’re flying somewhere, we hope your flight is gravy. Carve out some time to fill up on tips to help you prepare at https://t.co/PKpvH0f8D2 . #Thanksgiving2023 🦃 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Mj9bnuWoSy — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) November 13, 2023

The TSA expects to screen 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday, and trade group Airlines for America says it will be the second-busiest day of the holiday period for flyers.

Wednesday is also the day the most drivers will be hitting the road, according to AAA , citing data from transportation data company Inrix. If you're loading up the car that day, try to get moving before 11 a.m., the group said — the busiest time for auto travelers will be between 2–6 p.m.

"The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros," said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. "Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications and 511 services for real-time updates."

Some areas of New England were hit with snow that will turn to rain, potentially affecting Wednesday morning travelers, CBS Boston reports . Tuesday's rain was causing headaches Wednesday morning in the New York area, as some highways flooded, according to CBS New York . Heavy rain was expected to continue into the morning.

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23 and Black Friday, Nov. 24

Thanksgiving itself is one of the easier days to travel over the holiday stretch: Airlines for America pegs it as the lightest travel day of the period for flyers. If you're planning to drive, AAA recommends doing so before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m., with the busiest time on the roads expected to be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

And while the FAA forecasts more flights on Friday than Saturday — 44,744, nearly as many as Sunday, versus 41,640 on Saturday — Airlines for America projects Saturday will be the fifth busiest of the Thanksgiving stretch.

If you're planning to hit early brick-and-mortar Black Friday sales at your holiday destination, give yourself a break before getting back on the road for home. INRIX says the most congested times to drive will be between 12–4 p.m., and roads will be less crowded before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25, Sunday, Nov. 26 and Monday, Nov. 27

Nearly 42,000 flights are scheduled for Saturday and almost 45,000 on Sunday, according to the FAA. Overall, Airlines for America said to expect Sunday to be the busiest travel day, with more than 3.2 million passengers flying. 

That's an expectation shared by the TSA, which anticipates 2.9 million airline passengers will be screened Sunday, Nov. 26, according to the TSA. United Airlines also announced Sunday will be one of the company's busiest travel days since before the pandemic. More than 517,000 people are expected to fly on a United flight that day, according to a news release from the company, 60,000 more than last year.

While data company Cirium projects Sunday to be the biggest travel day of the year, passengers will still be making their way on Monday — according to AAA, "While Sunday is typically the busiest day to return home, AAA data shows Monday is also a popular day to fly back after Thanksgiving."

American Airlines said Sunday will be its busiest travel day and Monday the second busiest with 6,100 and 6,000 departures, respectively. Delta said it expects peak travel days over the period will include Sunday and Monday, and Airlines for America said the two days will be the first and third busiest, respectively, for air travel during the Thanksgiving travel period.

And if you're hauling dinner supplies to Thanksgiving or leftovers home afterward , the TSA said to be prepared for likely additional screening if you have food in your carry-on and know what needs to go in a checked bag instead.

"If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it's larger than 3.4 ounces, then it should go in a checked bag," the TSA said on its website. "If you need to keep items cold during your trip, ice packs are permissible, but they must be frozen solid and not melted when they go through security screening."

Pie, turkey and stuffing can be carried on, the TSA noted, but cranberry sauce, gravy and wine have to be checked. And if you are carrying on, the agency recommends packing them so they're easy to take out of your bag and putting them in a bin for screening when it's your turn at the checkpoint.

• Transportation Security Administration
• Thanksgiving

Allison Elyse Gualtieri is a senior news editor for CBSNews.com, working on a wide variety of subjects including crime, longer-form features and feel-good news. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and U.S. News and World Report, among other outlets.

More from CBS News

Transcript: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on "Face the Nation"

Century-old time capsule found at Minnesota high school

This week on "Sunday Morning" (April 28)

King Charles III to resume royal duties next week after cancer diagnosis

Americans 'eager' to travel for Thanksgiving: Tips to avoid delays

The holiday travel season is about to commence now that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Travel experts are encouraging those making any sort of journey to prepare for a crowded, and possibly chaotic, one.

"The Thanksgiving holiday week is shaping up to be busy," Hayley Berg, lead economist for Hopper, told USA TODAY. "Americans are eager to visit family and friends and make up for missed holidays due to the pandemic."

About 70% of Americans said they have travel plans to do just that, according to a recent report from the travel app. About half of American travelers said it's the first time they're traveling during the holiday season since the pandemic began.

Airlines have built back capacity to try to meet the anticipated demand on domestic routes, the report said. Both flight costs and seat capacity have increased this year. Nearly 25 million seats are scheduled to depart on flights from U.S. airports over the holiday week, a 6% increase from 2019. 

After a summer of cancellations, delays and travel headaches, the experts at Hopper say this holiday season will be no different.

CARRY IT ON:  1 out of 6 travelers' bags were mishandled this summer

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE:  Why booking flights on third-party websites can be risky

Read below to learn more about how to prepare for a Thanksgiving week of busy travel:

What will be the busiest days for travel during Thanksgiving week?

Sorry to all the Sunday travelers. 

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 20, is expected to see about 3.3 million people on the move. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, is when traveler numbers are predicted to peak at 3.4 million, as people return home from their trips.

Travelers should bank on the longest lines and potential delays on these peak days, Berg said. 

The slowest day for travel will be on Thanksgiving day itself, although 2.24 million are still expected to be en route.

HOLIDAY SAVINGS:  You could save up to 15% on winter airfare with these travel booking tips

What are the busiest airports dur ing Thanksgiving week?

According to the report, Atlanta (ATL), Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN) are slated to be the busiest airports that week, with over one million travelers going through their concourses. The busiest time to fly at these airports will be in the morning.

"If you’re departing from one of these busiest airports, be sure to get to the airport early, expect longer lines and be prepared for potential delays and disruptions as the airports manage heavy holiday traffic," the report said.

Which airports are expected to have the worst delays? 

This past summer, one in three flights on average were delayed at major airports, according to Hopper data. Delays might affect travelers over Thanksgiving week too. 

"Additionally, travelers heading in and out of Newark Airport (EWR), Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Miami Airport (MIA) should expect delays, as those airports saw the highest levels of disruption over the Thanksgiving week last year and during this past summer," Berg said.

Newark had 39% of its flights disrupted this past summer, while DAL clocked in at 33% and MIA at 28%.

This past summer, Chicago Midway (MDW) and Houston (HOU) also had a significant amount of flight disruptions, so travelers flying in and out of these airports might want to be well-prepared. 

How can I prepare for flight disruptions over Thanksgiving?

• Hopper recommends booking the first flight out if you can: "You're less likely to be impacted by delays from earlier in the day."
• Consider adding in a buffer day to your travel plans so you have some wiggle room to get to your destination.
• Arrive at the airport early. If you have time to spare, then you won't need to worry about long TSA lines  (did you know there's an app to check TSA time estimates in real-time?), traffic or getting to your gate on time. 
• April Cheng, travel expert for TravelChic World , said people should also consider weather when making travel plans — especially cold destinations that could be impacted by snow or ice. 

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Thanksgiving Travel Days Expected to Be Busiest in Nearly 20 Years

More people are expected to travel during the holiday weekend as airfare and gas prices drop. But rain and cold could pose obstacles through early Wednesday.

More holiday travelers will pack airports and highways this Thanksgiving as a drop in airfare and gas prices stokes the nation’s busiest travel time of the year.

Even as travel demand holds strong, a severe weather forecast threatens to cause flight delays and traffic jams across swaths of the country. Transportation experts are urging people to be patient and to expect delays.

“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies and seas compared to 2022,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Travel demand has been strong all year.”

AAA, the automobile owners’ group that also tracks air travel, expects that 4.7 million people will fly between Wednesday and Sunday. That is an increase of 6.6 percent compared with last year, and the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers in nearly two decades.

Most Thanksgiving travelers will drive to their destinations. AAA projects 49.1 million Americans will get behind the wheel, an increase of 1.7 percent compared with 2022.

Cheap gas prices could be inspiring more people than usual to opt for traveling on the road. This year, the national average price of gasoline peaked in mid-August at $3.87 per gallon and has been coming down since. The national average was $3.27 per gallon yesterday after falling for the ninth consecutive week, according to GasBuddy , a crowdsourced gas-price finder app. The average is down 25.9 cents from a month ago and 36.9 cents from a year ago.

“As millions of Americans gear up to hit the road for Thanksgiving, the national average is seeing its longest streak of declines in over a year,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Earlier this month, the average price for a domestic flight around Thanksgiving was down about 9 percent from a year ago, according to Hopper, a booking and price-tracking app. Kayak, the travel search engine, looked at a wider range of dates around the holidays and found a dip of about 18 percent around Thanksgiving.

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 2.9 million passengers on Nov. 26, up a hair from about 2.88 million people on June 30, which was the highest single-day total recorded by the agency.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the four major New York City-area airports as well as a network of bridges and tunnels in the region, expects more than 8.5 million people to travel during an eight-day peak travel period from Nov. 20 to Nov. 27. The Port Authority said that it anticipated more air travelers and motorists than ever before because of the popularity of remote work, which allows people to have more flexible plans.

INRIX, a transportation analytics provider, said that Wednesday would be the busiest day on the roads, with average travel times as high as 80 percent over normal levels in some metro areas. Experts there recommended leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways,” Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, said in a statement. “Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros.”

Bad weather could interrupt road trips and flights, potentially affecting holiday plans for millions across the country.

Forecasts show a risk of severe storms in the South. Rain, thunderstorms, snow and ice are predicted along portions of the East through Wednesday.

Rainfall reached from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes on Tuesday morning, making roadways slick and allowing delays to tick up at major airports like Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. More travel delays are likely as the rain pushes north into the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast overnight. Further north, especially across New England, some lingering cold air could allow for areas of freezing rain or even a few inches of snow.

By Wednesday afternoon, some of the worst weather in the East should start to subside, except in places like Maine. On Thanksgiving Day, there will be an improvement across the country, except for a bout of snow across the Rocky Mountains. The weather should be blustery for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade , but the balloons will most likely still fly.

Judson Jones contributed reporting.

Ana Ley is a Times reporter covering New York City’s mass transit system and the millions of passengers who use it. More about Ana Ley

These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

• Copy Link copied

The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Busiest Days to Fly During the Winter Holidays

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn’t necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily. The two days after Christmas also see heavy travel. And since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, that might mean an abnormally busy Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

To avoid crowds and save money, consider skipping the busy days and book your flights on one of the slower ones. Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize to avoid crowds and save money.

» Learn more: Popular airline cards used to book holiday travel

The busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. Last year, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day, according to TSA data, making it the busiest travel day of 2022.

That same Sunday was also the year’s single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days of the year for air travel were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here’s a look at the days surrounding Thanksgiving week over the past four years, ranked in order of most to fewest air travelers at the TSA’s U.S. checkpoints:

Assuming past trends continue in 2023, expect Sunday, Nov. 26, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving , followed by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 25, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger based on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records. For example, 2023’s Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel. More than 2.884 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday before July 4, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019, when a recorded 2.882 million people passed through TSA checkpoints.

The busiest days to fly around Christmas

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year and air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular . And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at Christmas and the seven calendar dates before and after over the past four years, ranked by most to fewest average air travelers, based on TSA checkpoint data:

This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and — especially during Christmas week — many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

According to Chase Travel, Friday, Dec. 22, is one of the top three busiest days across all flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024 (the other two busiest days are Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30). Similarly, booking site Hopper anticipates that day having the highest fare for the Christmas season.

This holiday travel season may see some relief, though. Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, can sometimes align closely with Christmas. The eight-day celebration ran from Dec. 18-26 in 2022, but this year will commence on Dec. 15 — likely before the Christmas crowds start.

Another consideration for travel is that the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

How to choose less crowded (and cheaper) travel days

The holiday travel season is always expensive, but there is some decrease from last year's prices. Airfares for Christmas trips are averaging $400 according to Hopper data. That’s down 12%, or about $52 per ticket, from last year. The bad news is that it's still 29% higher than holiday airfares were in 2019.

Travel on the holiday: Traveling on the holiday is often the best way to avoid crowds and save money. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas versus Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

And that demand has a strong effect on prices. According to Hopper, domestic flights on Christmas Day average about 26% less than peak prices.

on American Express' website

on Bank of America's website

on Chase's website

$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 3 points per $1 on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Book morning flights: If you are traveling on the holiday, catch the first flight out for the day and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay . In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Stay longer: If you can take the days off or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

For Thanksgiving, Hopper recommends flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day to fly, so extending your trip by just one day can save you money. According to Hopper, airfares average 40% less on the Monday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday after.

For Christmas, Hopper recommends departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday.

Skip holiday travel completely: If you don’t mind celebrating in an unconventional way, consider participating in something like an un-holiday, where you shift the celebration by a couple of days or weeks.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best (and worst) times to travel for Thanksgiving 2023

Here’s how to avoid a traffic jam, according to AAA

It’s that time of year again, when plans are coming together for holiday travel. If you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving, AAA has revealed some insightful data that could help you avoid a dreaded traffic jam on your way to a holiday gathering or vacation.

According to AAA projections, about 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holidays. A whopping 88.7% of travelers plan to do so by car. This is a nearly 2% increase over 2022, partially because drivers could be paying less for gas than last Thanksgiving. While 4.7 million people are expected to fly over Thanksgiving—an increase of 6.6% compared to 2022 and the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005—driving is still the preferred method.

Using data from INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, AAA expects Wednesday, November 22 to be the busiest day on the road. Average travel times are expected to increase up to 80% in certain metro areas. If you have to travel on that day, the best time to get on the road is early morning or after 6pm to avoid the heaviest congestion. The busiest drive time is forecast to be between 2pm and 6pm.

“The day before Thanksgiving is notoriously one of the most congested days on our roadways. Travelers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major metros,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Knowing when and where congestion will build can help minimize holiday traffic frustrations. We advise drivers to use traffic apps, local DOT notifications, and 511 services for real-time updates.”

As for the return trip, Friday, November 24 is expected to be the busiest travel day. The best times to depart are before 11am or after 7pm. On Sunday, November 26, aim to hit the road before noon.

The busiest days for flying will be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday following. These are also the most expensive days to fly.

If you haven’t made your plans yet, make plans to drive outside of peak travel times. Find the full report with more info on the AAA website .

• Gerrish Lopez Contributor, New Orleans

Share the story

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

The best times to drive for Thanksgiving

Here are the best routes and days to avoid traffic ahead of turkey day.

Nearly 49 million people plan to hit the road for Thanksgiving this year, meaning highways will be crowded if you don’t time your trip correctly, according to a projection released by AAA on Tuesday.

“Families and friends are eager to spend time together this Thanksgiving, one of the busiest for travel in the past two decades,” said Paula Twidale, AAA’s senior vice president of travel. “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”

Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest holidays for road trip s over 50 miles. This year, car travel is projected to be 0.4 percent higher than 2021, though still 2.5 percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to AAA.

Here’s what to know before getting in the car before Thanksgiving.

When should I fly or drive this holiday season? Send Post reporter your travel questions.

Best and worst times to drive

The best time to hit the road Thanksgiving week is Monday at 8 p.m. local time, according to Google , which examined its Maps data from last Thanksgiving in more than 20 major U.S. cities.

The worst traffic is expected when Thanksgiving drivers overlap with the regular evening commute on Tuesday and Wednesday, around 4 to 5 p.m. local time, per Google.

With many people unable to leave work and school until Wednesday, INRIX, a transportation analytics firm, partnered with AAA to provide congestion projections for the peak parts of Thanksgiving week.

Holiday travel prices are climbing high. Here’s how to save money.

INRIX also expects traffic to peak nationally on Wednesday afternoon. If you need to travel Wednesday, leave before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m., the company recommends.

For those traveling by road on Turkey Day itself, the worst congestion will be from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to INRIX, so try to drive in the morning or after 6 p.m.

Traffic on the return trip should offer more flexibility, though Black Friday shopping could clog some roads, especially between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday, according to Google. Avoid driving between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to INRIX.

The firm recommends leaving before 11 a.m. if you’re driving on Friday or Sunday, and before 2 p.m. on Saturday. Alternatively, the roads will probably be more open after 8 p.m. on any of the three days.

Where to expect the worst traffic

The nation’s largest metro areas, especially New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta, will probably see significant increases over typical congestion, according to INRIX.

“Although travel times will peak on Wednesday afternoon nationally, travelers should expect much heavier than normal congestion throughout the holiday weekend,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX.

At peak Wednesday afternoon, New York City will see a 158 percent increase above typical traffic, Los Angeles 144 percent and Atlanta 105 percent. Traffic in those cities, along with Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston , San Francisco and Seattle, will peak Wednesday afternoon.

The only city tracked by INRIX where traffic will peak on a day other than Wednesday is D.C. Congestion in the nation’s capital is expected to be at its worst between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, especially on the Capital Beltway and Interstate 95 to Route 123.

INRIX also tracked the individual highways across the country that are expected to see the biggest increases in traffic over a typical week. In New York, stay off I-278 south, where traffic will be 158 percent worse than normal. In L.A., avoid I-5 south and I-405 south, where traffic will be up 144 percent and 106 percent, respectively. Atlanta residents should avoid I-85 south, which will see 105 percent more traffic than usual.

A full list of expected traffic by corridor can be found here .

How much to budget for gas

One area where drivers should see some relief over last year: at the pump.

The national average for gas is $3.77 as of Monday, which is up 36 cents from a year ago and down 13 cents from a month ago, according to AAA . It’s also well below the $5-a-gallon peak that drivers were paying in June, thanks to steadying oil prices.

How to save on road trips

“There are now about 13 states with some stations selling gas below $3 a gallon,” said Andrew Gross, a AAA spokesperson. “More gas stations could follow, which may be a big help with road-trip budgeting as Thanksgiving approaches.”

The cheapest gas can be found in the South, especially Texas and Georgia, where average prices are below $3.20 per gallon. The Midwest saw the largest drop in prices over the past week, with Wisconsin gas prices falling 25 cents on average.

To budget for your road trip, AAA recommends its TripTik travel planner , which shows current gas prices along your route, as well as hotels, restaurants and attractions.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the national average for gas is down 36 cents from a year ago. It is up 36 cents. This version has been corrected.

More spring travel tips

Trends: Cheaper spring break | Cool all-inclusives | Let ChatGPT plan your day | Is it safe to go to Mexico? | Book a free night in Sicily

The basics: Tip without cash | Traveling with kids | Decide where to stay | A pre-trip checklist of house chores | How to get your passport | Plan a ski trip | Eat without feeling terrible | Budget for your next trip | Plan a cheaper Disney trip

Flying: Fly like a decent human being | How to set airfare price alerts | Flying with an injury | PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR | Can I fly with weed? | AirTag your luggage | Airport parking 101 | Deal with airport crowds | Why Stalk airfare after booking

Driving: 9 tips for road tripping with a baby | Try the Airbnb of rental cars | Rent an EV | Do I need an international license to drive abroad? | Avoid big rental car fees

Greener travel: Bike to the airport | How environmentalists travel | How to find ‘greener’ flights | Make your travel better for the planet

Pets: How to travel with pets | Why the pet fee? | Pet flying 101 | Alternatives to flying with your pet

In case of emergency: Manage airport disasters | Your flight is canceled | How to get a human on the phone | What to do if your car gets stuck | Find your lost luggage | How to get a refund for a canceled flight | Deal with a bad hotel room | When you’re bumped off your flight | If you get rebooked without your family | What are my rebooking rights? | Recover a lost item at TSA, the airport or your flight

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

This Is the Best Time to Hit the Road for Thanksgiving Travel, According to AAA

Time to plan ahead!

More than 55 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, one of the busiest Turkey Day holiday periods in recent history.

Of the 55.4 million people who will travel 50 miles or more from home this year, the vast majority will hit the road, according to AAA . In fact, 49.1 million Americans will drive to their destination this year from Wednesday, Nov. 22, to Sunday, Nov. 26, a 1.7 percent increase compared to 2022.

Overall, Thanksgiving travel is up 2.3 percent compared to last year and is expected to be the third-busiest since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000 (only 2005 and 2019 were busier). 

John Coletti/Getty Images

“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”

For travelers getting behind the wheel, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest with average travel times predicted to be up to 80 percent higher than normal in some metro areas, according to the group. Travelers hoping to make the best of a bad situation should consider leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the worst traffic. 

The busiest time of the day is forecast to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Travelers heading home on Friday, Nov. 24, should consider leaving before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m., while travelers driving on Sunday, Nov. 26, should hit the road before noon.

Some areas will also likely be worse than others, like Los Angeles to Bakersfield on I-5 N, which is expected to be one of the most congested stretches in the country compared to normal travel times.

For travelers who are taking to the skies, the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving will likely be the busiest — and most expensive — travel days ahead of the holiday, according to AAA. The Sunday after Turkey Day is typically the busiest travel day to return home.

Overall, 4.7 million people are expected to fly over Thanksgiving, a 6.6 percent increase compared to 2022.

The forecast comes as major airlines in the United States are expecting to see record numbers of travelers. United Airlines, for example, has told Travel + Leisure it expects to have its busiest Thanksgiving ever.

• Hotels & Resorts
• Travel Guides
• Credit Cards
• Airplane Seat Switch Etiquette
• American Airlines Baggage Fees & Allowance
• Amex Centurion Lounges
• Best & Worst Days to Fly
• Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for Christmas & New Year's 2024
• Best & Worst Times to Fly
• Best Days & Times to Book Flights
• Best Seats On a Plane
• Best Websites to Book Cheap Flights
• Capital One Lounges
• Chase Sapphire Lounges
• Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Luggage (Steps to Take)
• Delta Baggage Fees & Allowance
• How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations in 2024
• How to Cancel an American Airlines Flight
• How to Cancel a Delta Air Lines Flight
• How to Earn Delta SkyMiles
• How to Earn United MileagePlus Miles
• How to Find Cheap Flight Deals
• How to Find Cheaper Summer Flights for 2024
• How to Get Through TSA Airport Security Faster
• How to Use Google Flights
• When to Book Christmas Flights - Best Travel Days for 2024
• When to Book Thanksgiving Flights - Best Travel Days for 2024
• United Airlines Baggage Fees & Allowance
• What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight
• Worst Seats on a Plane
• Best Atlanta Airport Car Rental Companies
• Best Denver Airport Car Rental Companies
• Best Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Car rental Companies
• Best Miami Airport Car Rental Companies
• Best Orlando Airport Car Rental Companies
• Best Phoenix Airport Car Rental Companies
• Best Websites to Book Cheap Car Rentals
• How to Find Cheap Car Rentals
• Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines
• Can You Bring Food, Alcohol, & Snacks on a Cruise Ship?
• Best Websites to Book Cheap Cruises
• Where Can I Cruise Without a Passport?
• What is Cruise Ship Tendering?
• What is Port Side on a Cruise Ship?
• Best Economy & Budget-Friendly Hotel Brands
• Best Mid-Tier Hotel Brands
• Best Websites to Book Cheap Hotels
• Choice Privileges Loyalty Program Review
• Hilton Honors Loyalty Program Review
• Hostel Booking Tips
• Hotels.com Booking Guide
• How to Find Cheap Hotel Deals
• IHG One Rewards Loyalty Program Review
• Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Review
• World of Hyatt Loyalty Program Review
• Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program Review
• Best Travel Products
• Destinations
• Family Travel
• Beach Vacation Packing List
• Best Beaches in Florida
• Best Ticket Websites for Tours & Activities
• Best Travel Tips
• Global Entry Program Guide
• How to Check Your Passport Application Status
• How to Make a Travel Budget
• How to Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home
• Passport Processing Times - Current Wait in 2024
• Summer Travel Survey & Trends 2024
• Sustainable Travel Survey 2023
• TSA PreCheck Program Guide
• Travel Insurance Buying Guide
• Ultimate Travel Packing List
• Travel Credit Card Reviews
• Travel Credit Card Strategies & Tips
• Amex Platinum Card Benefits
• Amex Gold Card Benefits
• Best Starter Travel Credit Cards for Beginners
• Capital One Venture Card Benefits
• Capital One Venture X Card Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Benefits
• How to Use CardMatch
• Ink Business Unlimited Card Benefits

Get The Vacationer Newsletter

Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox

Advertiser Disclosure

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure : Jones-Dengler Marketing, LLC via The Vacationer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

The Vacationer • Air Travel • Air Travel Guides

Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays – Christmas & New Year’s 2024

As seen in our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey , 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering for Christmas this year.

There are a limited number of flights available for Christmas and New Year’s, so it is important to book as early as possible for the best prices (ideally you have already booked your holiday travel). Additionally, some days are much better than others to fly when it comes to crowds and cost. This guide will detail how far in advance to book holiday travel as well as the best and worst days to fly.

Table of Contents

How Far in Advance to Book Holiday Travel

Ideally, you should book your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights many months in advance. As a rule, we suggest booking domestic flights at least one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance, but the earlier the better. For the holidays, you should book even earlier if possible to guarantee a desirable route, time, seat, and price.

With Thanksgiving over, here are our recommended cutoff dates for booking Christmas flights for the 2023 holiday season.

Christmas (book before Thanksgiving)

The best deals on Christmas flights are usually available through late August and early September . If possible, book even earlier in June or July. At the latest, you should book by Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If it is December and you still do not have a flight, you should expect to pay a premium. Additionally, you will likely only have undesirable flight times to choose from with the potential for one or more connections. Here is a ranking of our recommended booking times.

• June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
• Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
• Early October  – Google’s recommendation. Cheap prices but lower inventory
• Thanksgiving  – Book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving at the latest
• December  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Christmas Flights – Best & Worst Times

Thanksgiving (book before Halloween)

I recommend booking your Thanksgiving flight by late August or early September for the best price. If possible, book in June or July. Book international flights even earlier. If you wait too long, you should aim to book by Halloween at the latest. While it is possible to get a decent deal after Halloween, your chances dramatically decrease. Your odds of finding a desirable flight time also go down when booking after Halloween. Here is a ranking of our recommended times.

• Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
• Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
• November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Best & Worst Times

Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

Being on a Thursday every year, the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving are predictable. Christmas is a little more difficult since it does not fall on the same day of the week every year. Here are the days you should target and the days you should avoid this holiday season. To come up with our best and worst dates forecast, we sampled hundreds of flight prices around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our sample included numerous departure and arrival cities around the United States.

Christmas (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey shows 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. Since Christmas falls on a different day every year, the best days to fly change. Other things such as school and business closures affect the dates too. Christmas can fall on a weekend (as it did in 2022), which further complicates things. Generally, the worst day to fly for Christmas is December 23, but that is not a hard rule.

Best Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The earlier you depart the week before Christmas the better. Americans will look to get a few days of work in before flying out. If possible, fly on Monday, December 18, or Tuesday, December 19. Sunday, December 17 is even better if you can swing it. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds too, but you may not want to travel on a holiday.

Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many people will fly home the day after. Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27 will be popular travel days, so try and wait until Thursday or Friday.

Worst Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can.

Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight. Despite being the day after Christmas, many people will fly home on Tuesday or Wednesday so they can return to work for a few days before the weekend.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Travel Tips

We recommend flying out for New Year’s on Thursday, December 28 or Friday, December 29. Fly home on Wednesday January 3 or Thursday January 4. While it is not ideal, flying out on the night of New Year’s Eve or the morning of New Year’s Day is generally cheap. Unfortunately, you will probably miss New Year’s Eve activities if you opt for an evening flight. An early New Year’s Day flight is not optimal either unless you can go bed very early on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid flying out on Saturday, December 30 and the morning of December 31.

Thanksgiving (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows more than 45.21% of American adults intend to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering last year. That means tens of millions of people will fight over seats for a very limited number of flights.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

As the table shows, you want to depart early during the week. If possible, Sunday is even better than Monday. While not ideal, Thanksgiving Day is a great day to fly . Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip.

Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Friday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Worst Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

Avoid the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at all costs. It is one of the most popular days of the year to fly, and it is expensive. Additionally, airports are always packed, so it is an extra stressful experience.

Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving for your return flight. Most people fly that day to get home before the workweek. I recommend flying home on Friday or Monday or Tuesday.

Average Holiday Flight Prices for 2023 – Thanksgiving ($300) and Christmas ($400)

With November here, flight prices are increasing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect to pay on average $300 for a roundtrip Flight for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, expect to pay on average $400 for a roundtrip flight.

Those prices will vary by your destination and dates of travel, so we recommend doing your homework before booking. If possible, travel on our recommended days and avoid the worst days.

We’ve found many domestic Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $200. We’ve also found various international Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $500.

Flexibility is the key to finding the absolute cheapest holiday flights. Use the Google Flights Explore map to find the best flight deals from your home airport or city around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Travel is Recovering for the 2023 Holiday Season

On most days, hundreds of thousands more travelers are going through TSA checkpoints compared to the same day as last year. For 2023, we expect holiday travel numbers to resemble or surpass 2019, which is the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Further Reading: What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight and How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations

Other Tips For Scoring a Cheap Holiday Flight Deal

Check out our guide to finding and booking cheap flights for additional tips. A few of the major tips may not be applicable with holiday travel (being very flexible on dates and destinations), but other guidelines can help. Here are a few of them.

• Do: Start With Google Flights
• Do: Be Open to Different Nearby Departure and Arrival Airports
• Do: Be Open to All Airlines
• Do: Be Open to Flights With Connections
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Clearing Cookies
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Browsing in Incognito

Additionally, our best websites to book cheap flights guide and top airline credit cards tutorial can help you save even more money.

Further Reading: Clearing Cookies or Searching Incognito Does Not Show Cheaper Flight Prices

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The worst day to fly for Thanksgiving is the Wednesday before.

The best days are the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday after Turkey Day. The worst day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It is, but it is not ideal for most people.

It is, but most people do not want to fly home on the day after Thanksgiving.

Book by the middle of September at the latest for the best price, but you should ideally book earlier. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Halloween to book.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days before Christmas Eve.

Avoid the two days before Christmas Eve.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days after Christmas.

Book by the middle of September for the best price. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving to book.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Ideally, you have already booked your 2023 holiday travel. If you have not done so already, there is still time to get a deal, but you need to move quickly. Shoot for the dates discussed in the article and avoid the bad ones. After the holidays are over, follow our best days of the week to fly and our best day of the week to book flights guides.

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 — 43%+ to Travel; 66%+ Say Inflation is Affecting Plans; 29% to Spend $501+ on Travel; Cranberry Sauce Most Hated Food

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

When to Book Christmas Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in

Moscow city centre.

Visit Moscow City Centre

Popular places to visit.

You can learn about the history of Moscow with a trip to Red Square. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed theater scene.

• Moscow Kremlin

Visit the most iconic square in Russia, which is bordered by many of the city’s most famous landmarks.

• St. Basil's Cathedral

Think of Russia and you probably picture this iconic building, whose onion-shaped domes overlook the Moscow skyline.

• Bolshoi Theatre

A centerpiece of the Russian arts scene, this theater’s magnificent auditorium and top-tier productions will impress even the most jaded theatergoer.

• Lenin's Mausoleum

Mourners and curious visitors stream to the grave to see the embalmed Vladimir Lenin, the famous revolutionary and one-time leader of the Soviet Union.

State Historical Museum

Take a walk through many different eras of Russian history at this expansive museum on Red Square.

Check Moscow City Centre hotel availability

Other neighbourhoods around moscow city centre.

Central Administrative Okrug

If you're spending time in Central Administrative Okrug, check out sights like Moscow Manege or Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and hop on the metro to see more the city at Okhotny Ryad Station or Teatral'naya Station.

Kitay-Gorod

The museums and coffeehouses are just a few things visitors like about Kitay-Gorod. Palace of the Romanov Boyars and Old English Court are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Kitay-gorod Station (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line) or Lubyanka Station to get around the larger area.

You might enjoy the cafes while in Tverskoy. Hermitage Garden is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Mayakovskaya Station or Chekhovskaya Station to see more of the city.

If you're spending time in Arbat, you might enjoy attractions like Pushkin House Museum on Arbat and Arbat Street. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Smolenskaya Station to see more of the city.

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Presnensky. Spend some time visiting top spots like Russian White House, and catch the metro at Ulitsa 1905 Goda Station or Vystavochnaya Station to see more of the area.

You might enjoy the shopping while in Shelepikha. Battle of Borodino Panorama Museum is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Kutuzovskaya Station or Mezhdunarodnaya Station to see more of the city.

• Places of interest

More Hotel Options in Moscow City Centre

• Hotels in top Moscow neighborhoods
• Other vacations you might like
• Armoury Chamber
• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• New Tretyakov Gallery - Museum of Modern Art
• Minin and Pozharsky Monument
• Pushkin Square
• Taganka Theatre
• Spa Hotels (54)

Other Hotels near Moscow City Centre, Moscow

• Central Administrative Okrug Hotels
• South-Western Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Northern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Arbat Hotels
• Shelepikha Hotels
• Tverskoy Hotels
• Southern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Kitay-Gorod Hotels
• Presnensky Hotels
• Eastern Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Zamoskvorechye Hotels
• Begovoy Hotels
• Danilovsky District Hotels
• Sokolniki Hotels
• South-Eastern Administrative District Hotels
• Western Administrative Okrug Hotels
• Yakimanka Hotels
• Zamoskvorechye District Hotels
• Meshchansky Hotels
• Meshchansky District Hotels
• Things to do

I only need accommodations for part of my trip

City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

• Hop-on or hop-off at any of Moscow’s main highlights
• Views of Moscow from an open-top, double-decker bus
• Learn about the city with recorded commentary
• Visit Red Square, Alexander Gardens, and more
• Bus pass inclusions: 48 or 72 hour bus pass + walking tour
• Boat pass inclusions: 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Bus & Boat pass inclusions: 48 hour bus pass + 60 minute boat trip + walking tour
• Vouchers valid for 12 months
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Location Name: The route begins at Red Square but you can board at any stop
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Red Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 25 minutes. Duration - 60 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Most travelers can participate
• Green Route runs from 10:00am - 6:00pm, every 60 minutes. Duration - 120 minutes. First stop - Bolotnaya Square.
• Orange Route (currently suspended) runs from 10:30am - 6:30pm, every 30 minutes. Duration - 140 minutes. First stop - Museum of Cosmonautics
• Walking tour runs daily at 10:45am. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes. Meeting point - Next to monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
• Boat tour operates 5th May - 20th October, from 11:30am - 6:30pm. Duration - 60 minutes. Meeting point - Zaryadye Park Pier.
• Mobile and paper vouchers are accepted for this tour.
• Vouchers can be redeemed at any of the stops along the routes.
• Vouchers are valid for 12 months
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• DebbJ 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to get oriented to Moscow We started our Moscow experience with the hop on hop off. It was a great way to get orientated to the city. The additional optional tours were also good, we did the Metro tour which I highly recommend, we also paid for the Kremlin tour. The hop on hop off has three different lines all included. Only fault was the bus was sometimes full and you had to wait for the next one which was about 15 minutes (in the cold). Read more Written January 6, 2020
• UmaDelhi 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 2 days are required Very very good audio guides- the voice quality was also good and also the anecdotes of history were brilliant. Russia is truly beautiful Read more Written September 1, 2019
• BeverleyT 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat trip - TERRIBLE We got on the bus, but couldn’t buy a 1 day ticket. They suggested we do the 1 hour boat trip and said they would drop us to the dock. 1) they dropped us in the wrong place 2) they were lost because of the marathon Then the boat, after we finally found it: 1) stinking fumes, actually gagging 2) no commentary, in fact, no interaction unless you begged 3) offered us 2 for 1 icecreams as they had melted and refrozen as the fridge gets turned off at night Honestly, we enjoyed the afternoon in the boat but spent all of it laughing at just how awful it was!!! The worst thing in Moscow! Read more Written August 18, 2019
• niruDurbs 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Not the best value for the price The ticket is quite expensive and covers three different routes in a 24 hour period. The red route is quite exciting and takes about an hour. The bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes. However the other two routes take about two hours each and buses come every 30 to 40 minute period. If the bus is full then you have to wait at the stop for the next bus. So personally I feel that not much can be seen this way. I definitely was not impressed. However it must be noted that one can learn a lot about the history of Moscow Read more Written July 3, 2019
• IrishCueTravel 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles SLO Motion Not all their fault , but if you plan on trying this Attraction be patient! Traffic is a big problem first and foremost. But to add additional unnecessary delays; the bus stops at each site for 15 minutes at a time or More ! I gave up half way through ( 45 minutes) ; and walked back to the starting point in 10 minutes! Read more Written June 4, 2019
• michael g 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Worst hop on/hop off EVER Waited for 40 minutes in the cold rain for a bus that never came... unacceptable. Traffic is so bad that when on a bus the previos day it was barely moving. My advice-get a subway pass and a good travel guide book and do sightseeing on your own! Read more Written October 24, 2018
• Rebecca J 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Boat element was excellent We purchased a ticket online for the boat and bus for 2 days. The boat element was wonderful, we saw some amazing parts of Moscow along the river side. The bus element was very disappointing as it only started at 10am and was finished by 6:30pm. It was extremely warm when we were there and it would have been great to do the tour in the cool of the day. There was also no air conditioning in the down stairs part of the bus. They also turned away passengers at one of the stops as the bus was full and there was not another bus for 40 minutes. Read more Written September 26, 2018
• Monismith2014 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles it was very enjoyable it was very interesting seeing things we saw walking around from the bus. so much more to see. we had a lot better view of the attractions from the height of the bus.also the bus was reasonable slow which gave us time enough for photos. it stopped at sparrow hill for 10 minutes for picture taking Read more Written September 20, 2018
• fati666222 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles The best way to see Moscow We did both routes but if you have little time then only do the red route.Its very informative and it takes you to the important sights.The staff on the bus are very friendly and helpful. Read more Written August 20, 2018
• adolfo17 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The worst hope-on hope-off service I've ever seen Diffiult to understand the route maps and stops. Staff wouldn't help either. Lengthy stops. No air conditioning. Read more Written August 4, 2018
• Peter F 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Two Routes There is a short red route which depending on the traffic takes about an hour. The route is generally around the Red Square area. The ear phones were small and sometimes the commentary did not link up with the sites you were seeing. The green bus takes you on a longer route and ours took two and a half hours due to the heavy traffic. I would not recommend this trip unless it is raining or you want to fill in time. The sights we saw were nothing outstanding with plenty of time at certain stops for photos. Also the driver stop for a bite to eat at one stop. Read more Written July 30, 2018
• Bernardo P 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Boat Trips Moscow, Russia Yesterday, I booked a boat trip with the GetYourGuide.com web page and was totally horrible, didn’t have audio guide as it shows on the picture-Nobody Talk-. The girl on the picture-light blue bag-ask for 100 Rubles for show her the QR Code while I had the Booking and PIN number cause she must see the vessel name-Didn’t say nothing and after she said board any vessel. I suggest take the trip and pay on site, avoid fake internet pages, there are many other services with a lot of entertainment, don’t take this ones. Read more Written July 14, 2018
• Kathrynowl91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Good way to see some sites We usually do these tours when we travel. They get you round and you see the sight . The traffic is quite heavy so it is a bit slow but there is not a lot they can do about it. We only did the red route. Just a note people don’t queue here when the bus comes it’s a bit of a free for all. Read more Written July 13, 2018
• Daniyal91 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Was Ok.! Started our tour of moscow from here, We had got the 2 Day Pass with the boat ride. The route and the map was good but not well managed. The bus didn't stop at many points. Were were unaware a couple of times at what point we were and missed them. Headphones and maps were provided. Would recommend one should check out the route map before going and decide which places to stop in advance, this way one can manage and enjoy the tour more and us it more effectively.! The boat ride was Ok, a little crowded. No guide provided, just a boat ride with restaurant service Read more Written July 12, 2018
• WilliamDyer 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Poor service on boat and too many waiting times on buses For the price, you should expect at minimum English speaking tour guides with decent experience, but at least in my case that did not happen both in buses and boats. And in the boat even tough we were 90% English speaking tourist at least, the tour guide spoke 95% of the time in Russia, and only 3 sentences in English, I really counted how many times she spoke in English. And at the end she asks us if we have any questions? Of course I told her I couldn’t ask her anything since I didn’t understand 95% of what she was saying. The boat tour is not worth it, just take the bus that would be my advice. Second minus is the waiting times, in the boat they made us wait an hour before it departed, and in many stops with the buses waiting times of 20-30 minutes. I actually think I lost that day around 2 hours doing nothing. Be careful. Read more Written July 10, 2018

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise provided by City Sightseeing Moscow