KAYAK data reveals strategies for holiday travel savings

Data from KAYAK suggests that travelers can significantly reduce holiday airfare costs by opting for two one-way tickets instead of a traditional round trip. This strategy could potentially cut international fares by up to 30% and domestic fares by 29%.

For international destinations, the highest savings for one-way bookings are found in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten (30%), Liberia, Costa Rica (23%), and Lima, Peru (20%). Domestically, Washington, D.C. offers the most savings at 29%, followed by Chicago at 28% and San Diego at 22%.

Regarding timing, domestic Thanksgiving airfare historically reaches its lowest point approximately five weeks before the holiday. Flying on Thanksgiving Day itself can save travelers up to 19% domestically and 49% internationally compared to the priciest travel dates. For Christmas travel, fares typically dip between four and seven weeks before departure.