Good news for anyone craving a post-holiday escape: Expedia’s Winter Travel Outlook just dropped, and the numbers say that while interest in winter getaways is up this year, the chilly season is packed with savings if you time it right.
January and February are historically prime months for cheaper flights and hotel stays, thanks to the post-holiday demand slump. Domestic flights drop about 10% after December’s peak, while international routes bottom out in February, with fares averaging a wallet-friendly 15% lower than the holiday highs. If you’ve been putting off that Euro trip or tropical jaunt, consider this your sign.
Hotels, meanwhile, are throwing out deals left and right. Average nightly rates in January and February are 10% lower than summer—and in some cases, prices plummet as much as 45%. Winter destinations with the best hotel deals include Seattle, Vancouver, Boston and Chicago, where rates sit roughly 40% below their summer peaks.
Winter flight deals are heating up too, in places like Rome, Barcelona and Montreal, where ticket prices are down 15% or more.
“Winter travel doesn’t have to put a freeze on your post-holiday spending,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “With lower airfare and off-season hotel rates, it’s a great time to get some winter sun or pack a parka and enjoy a crowd-free European city.
Sure, these cities are pretty cold in the winter, but that’s part of their charm. And when deals like this roll around, you don’t want to miss out.