United Kingdom
4 and 5 December unlock the cheapest international fares.
5 and 12 December are the busiest nights for domestic stays.
Helsinki, Wrocław and Luxembourg top the trending list for festive escapes
Expedia®’s Winter Travel Outlook shows Brits are embracing a mix of festive charm, cultural escapes, and far-flung sunshine this Winter. While perennial favourites like New York, Paris, and Dubai dominate searches, trending destinations reveal three clear themes: affordable European breaks, festive getaways, and sunny long-haul escapes.
Affordable European destinations are booming with Wrocław, Poland (+195%)1, Bucharest, Romania (+115%), Malta (+115%), and Riga, Latvia (+110%) leading the surge as travellers seek budget-friendly city breaks. Festive breaks are drawing holidaymakers to Helsinki, Finland (+280%), Luxembourg (+165%), and Colmar, France (+75%) for magical markets and seasonal charm. Meanwhile, long-haul escapes like Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+80%) and Adelaide, Australia (+75%) are gaining traction for those craving that Winter sun.
Closer to home, Blackpool has leapt from 14th to 7th place this year in the popular domestic rankings, thanks to its iconic Tower Ballroom, strictly reserved for dancing fans and more, along with city regeneration buzz. Trending UK spots include Fort William (+145%), Tenby (+105%), and Canterbury (+55%), reflecting a love for Scottish Highlands, Welsh Winter escapes, and historic towns.
“The cheapest days to travel vary this Winter, with the lowest international fares in early December and domestic bargains at the beginning and end of February,” said Melanie Fish, VP of Public Relations for Expedia Group. “Keep those time frames in mind to find the best deals, and don’t forget to bundle your hotel and flight, and you could unlock more savings.”2
Best Times to Fly3
Domestic
- Slowest: 27 January and 4 February
- Busiest: 2 and 4 January
- Cheapest: 3 and 26 February
- Most Expensive: 17 December and 3 January
International
- Slowest: 22 and 25 February
- Busiest: 19 and 20 December
- Cheapest: 4 and 5 December
- Most Expensive: 17 and 21 December
Best Times to Stay4
Domestic
- Slowest: 4 and 25 February
- Busiest: 5 and 12 December
- Cheapest: 5 and 26 January
- Most Expensive: 28 and 29 December
International
- Slowest: 22 and 24 February
- Busiest: 20 and 27 December
- Cheapest: 16 January and 2 February
- Most Expensive: 27 December and 14 February
Destination Insights5
- Affordable European breaks: Brits are chasing value this Winter with Wrocław, Poland (+195%), Bucharest, Romania (+115%), Malta (+115%), and Riga, Latvia (+110%) topping the list of budget-friendly escapes. These destinations offer rich culture and festive charm without breaking the bank.
- Festive getaways: Helsinki, Finland (+280%), Luxembourg (+165%), and Colmar, France (+75%) are trending for their magical Christmas markets and seasonal celebrations. From twinkling lights to cosy cafés, these cities deliver the ultimate winter wonderland experience.
- Sunny long-haul escapes: For those craving warmth, Phu Quoc, Vietnam (+80%) and Adelaide, Australia (+75%) are standout choices. Whether it’s tropical beaches in Vietnam or summer vibes in South Australia, these destinations promise sunshine and adventure far from the UK chill.
Winter Travel Tips
Expedia recommends the following to make the most of your Winter getaway:
- Black Friday Sale: Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year until 2 December, with savings of up to 40% on thousands of hotels on Expedia®.
- Save with price alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop by using tools such as Price Tracking on the app.
- Bundling: With flights, car hire, hotels and activities, Expedia offers customisable holiday packages in one place, allowing travellers to save hundreds of pounds on average when booking multiple items on Expedia. Travellers then also have their itinerary all in one place, making it easier to keep track of their journey.6
FAQ
Q: What are the top trending destinations for Brits this Winter?
A: Helsinki, Wrocław, and Luxembourg lead festive escapes, while Phu Quoc, Vietnam and Adelaide, Australia are trending for long-haul sunshine.
Q: When are the cheapest days to book international flights?
A: 4 and 5 December offer the lowest international fares.
Q: Which dates are busiest for domestic stays?
A: 5 and 12 December are the most popular nights for domestic stays.
Q: What themes define Winter travel trends this year?
A: Affordable European breaks, festive getaways, and sunny long-haul escapes.
Q: Which UK destinations are gaining popularity?
A: Blackpool has jumped to 7th place this Winter, with Fort William (+145%), Tenby (+105%), and Canterbury (+55%) also trending.
Q: How can travellers save money on Winter holidays?
A: Bundle flights and hotels on Expedia, set price alerts, and shop the Black Friday Sale (up to 40% off until 2 December).
Q: What are the most expensive travel dates to avoid?
A: International: 17 and 21 December; Domestic: 17 December and 3 January.
Note to editors
Data disclaimers:
*The domestic and international Winter destination charts are based on searches made on Expedia.co.uk between 21 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 for travel between 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026
1 Based on searches made on Expedia.co.uk between 21 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 for travel between 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026
2 Savings vary and are not available on all packages. Savings are compared to the price of the same components booked separately.
3 Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.co.uk based on searches made between 21 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 for travel between for travel between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026.
4 Based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.co.uk based on searches made between 21 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 for travel between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026.
5 Flight inclusive packages are ATOL protected. Savings vary and are not available on all packages. Savings are compared to the price of the same components booked separately.
