Winter travel in Europe can stretch budgets, especially around the Christmas and New Year rush. But new data from Expedia's Winter Travel Outlook suggests that picking the right dates can make a real difference to what you pay for flights and accommodation.
The report, based on searches made between July and October for winter breaks compared with the same period in 2025, highlights the cheapest and most expensive days to travel, as well as the busiest airport and hotel periods. Here's what the numbers show.
Best and worst days to fly and stay
For those with flexibility, the savings can be substantial. Expedia's travel expert Melanie Fish notes that "the period around Christmas and New Year's is naturally one of the busiest times to travel, but for those with flexibility, going away in early December and in February could offer significant savings on flights."
According to the data, the most affordable days for international flights this winter are 4 December and 18 February. On the flip side, the most expensive days are 16 and 19 December. If you want to avoid crowded terminals, steer clear of 18 and 19 December, which are projected to be the busiest for international departures.
For hotel stays, the cheapest nights are 7 and 13 January, while the most expensive are 26 December and 13 February. The busiest nights at international hotels are 4 and 27 December, so booking around those dates could save both money and stress.
Where Europeans are heading
The search data reveals a clear split between travellers seeking winter sun and those embracing the cold. Paris, New York, and Amsterdam top the list of most-searched destinations, followed by Bangkok and Tenerife. Dubai, Tokyo, the Canary Islands, Barbados, and Prague round out the top ten.
But the fastest-growing destinations offer some surprises. Exuma in The Bahamas leads with a 115% rise in searches year-on-year. Chilly spots follow: Quebec City in Canada is up 75%, Malmö in Sweden has seen a 45% increase, and Hakone in Japan, famous for its hot springs, is up 40%. The Caribbean island of Curaçao also saw a 40% jump.
For winter sun seekers, Phu Quoc in Vietnam and Martinique are both up 30%, while Ocho Rios in Jamaica is 20% more popular than last year. Those who prefer festive markets and snowy landscapes are searching for breaks in Zakopane, near Poland's border with Slovakia, and Turin in Italy, both up 20%.
These trends align with broader European travel patterns. A recent ETC survey found that 76% of Europeans plan autumn and winter trips, and destinations like Malmö and Zakopane are clearly benefiting from that interest. For those looking further ahead, our expert picks for 2027 include several of these emerging spots.
If you're planning a winter getaway, the key takeaway is simple: flexibility pays. Avoiding the peak holiday rush and booking for early December or mid-February can cut costs significantly, and choosing less popular nights for hotels can make a big difference too.
