The weeks around Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov 26, 2026), Christmas (Friday, Dec 25, 2026) and New Year's Day (Friday, Jan 1, 2027) are some of the busiest travel days of the year, and prices follow demand. You can't change when the holidays fall, but you can change how, when and what you book. These 14 tips work whether you're flying across the country or driving three hours to see family.
Booking flights for less
1. Set fare alerts today and book early
Holiday seats on the most popular days sell first, and the cheapest fare classes go with them. Set free price alerts on Google Flights or a similar fare tracker for your route and dates, so you see price drops without checking every day. For peak holiday dates, waiting for a last-minute deal is usually a gamble that doesn't pay off.
2. Use the 24-hour rule as a safety net
Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, airlines selling tickets in the U.S. must either let you hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours or let you cancel within 24 hours without a penalty, as long as you book at least seven days before departure. Many airlines choose the free-cancellation option. That means you can lock in a decent fare now and keep watching for 24 hours. The DOT's air travel consumer page explains your rights.
3. Be flexible by a day or two
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are famous for crowds and high fares. Flying on Thanksgiving Day itself, on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, or a few days earlier or later is often cheaper and calmer. Use the flexible-date or calendar view on your fare search to see a whole week of prices at once, and try early-morning flights, which are also less likely to be delayed by problems that build up during the day.
4. Check nearby airports
If your city or your destination has more than one airport within reasonable driving distance, search them all. A cheaper fare into a smaller airport can beat the main hub, but add the cost of the extra drive, parking or a rideshare before you decide.
5. Know what basic economy leaves out
The lowest fare is often basic economy, which can mean no seat choice, boarding last and, on some airlines, no full-size carry-on bag. Compare the total price after bags and seat fees, not just the headline fare. If you're traveling as a family and want to sit together, check the airline's seating policy before you buy.
6. Know your refund rights if the airline cancels
Under DOT rules, if your airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you choose not to travel or not to accept the alternative it offers, you're entitled to a refund to your original form of payment, not just a travel credit. Winter storms and holiday crowds make cancellations more likely, so it's worth knowing before you're standing at the gate.
Bags, gifts and airport costs
7. Pack carry-on only
Checked bag fees apply to each bag, each way, on most U.S. airlines, and policies change, so check your airline's current fees before you pack. A carry-on and a personal item are enough for most holiday trips if you plan outfits around one pair of shoes and wear your bulkiest coat on the plane.
8. Ship gifts or order them to your destination
Gifts take up space and can push you into a checked bag. Order online and ship straight to the person or to where you're staying, or mail them ahead. If you do carry gifts, TSA's holiday travel tips suggest leaving them unwrapped, since a wrapped gift may need to be opened at screening. Gift bags are an easy fix.
9. Bring snacks and an empty water bottle
Airport food and drinks cost far more than the same items at a grocery store. TSA allows solid foods like sandwiches, crackers, fruit and cookies through security, and you can bring an empty reusable bottle and fill it after the checkpoint. Liquids, gels and spreads still follow the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters per container in one quart-size bag), so leave the jars of cranberry sauce and gravy for your checked bag or the car. Check TSA's "What Can I Bring?" list if you're unsure.
10. Compare airport parking against a ride
Parking at the airport for a week can cost more than the flight savings you worked for. Compare the airport's economy lots, off-site park-and-ride lots with shuttles, a rideshare each way, or a drop-off from a friend. Reserving parking online in advance can be cheaper than the drive-up rate at some airports, and holiday lots can fill up.
Driving, trains and buses
11. Add up the real cost of driving
For trips of a few hours, driving is often the cheapest choice for a family, because the gas cost is shared and there are no bag fees or airport parking. Use our gas-saving tips before you go: check tire pressure when the tires are cold, empty the trunk of things you don't need, keep a steady speed and compare station prices with an app. Get the car ready for winter weather too, with good wipers, washer fluid and an emergency kit. Our road trip tips cover food and lodging on the way.
12. Look at the train and intercity bus
Amtrak and intercity bus lines such as Greyhound, FlixBus and Megabus can be much cheaper than flying for a solo traveler or a couple on shorter routes, and you skip airport parking and security lines. Like airfares, holiday fares usually rise as seats sell, so book early, and check each company's current deals and discount programs on its own site.
Where you stay and what you rent
13. Book refundable, then re-check prices
Choose a hotel or rental car rate with free cancellation, then check prices again a week or two later. If the price drops, book the cheaper rate and cancel the first one. This works especially well for rental cars, which are often bookable without prepaying. Read the cancellation deadline carefully, since some rates turn non-refundable a day or two before arrival. Our guide to renting a car without overpaying covers fees and insurance questions to ask at the counter.
14. Use the perks you already have
Before you pay full price, check what you already have: credit card points or travel credits, airline miles, hotel loyalty points, warehouse club travel deals, and AAA or AARP member discounts if you're a member. Staying with family is the obvious money-saver, but if there isn't room, a vacation rental with a kitchen split between two households can cost less than two hotel rooms and lets you cook instead of eating out.
Holiday travel checklist
- Set fare alerts now for your route and dates.
- Book at least seven days out so the 24-hour cancellation rule applies.
- Compare flying on the holiday itself and from nearby airports.
- Add bag and seat fees before comparing fares.
- Pack carry-on only and ship gifts ahead.
- Bring solid snacks and an empty water bottle.
- Price airport parking against a rideshare or drop-off.
- Compare the total cost of driving, train and bus.
- Book refundable stays and rental cars, then re-check prices.
- Check your points, miles and member discounts.
Planning a bigger trip after the holidays? Browse our budget travel destinations and the national parks savings guide.
Fares, fees, airline policies and travel rules change. Check the airline, hotel or transit company's own site and the official DOT and TSA pages before you book or pack. Last reviewed Nov 1, 2026.