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These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

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Long lines at TSA security screening checkpoint

The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

  • July 30: 2.793 million passengers
  • July 28: 2.785 million passengers
  • July 23: 2.789 million passengers
  • June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
  • June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

Decorated Christmas trees frame skyscraper in New York City

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

A woman laying in a super bloom of golden California poppies in Antelope Valley

These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

Sean Cudahy

2023 has been a record-setting year for air travel, and there's no reason to think the end-of-year holidays will be any different.

After logging its busiest summer ever at U.S. airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration saw more passengers on Nov. 26 — the Sunday after Thanksgiving — than on any day in its 22-year history.

And the crowds are just getting started.

AAA expects 7.5 million Americans will fly over the 10-day Christmas and New Year's holiday period. That's a number larger than both last year's holiday airport crowds and those seen in 2019.

At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement last month.

It was a prediction that the Thanksgiving rush confirmed, and one that tracked with the crowds seen all year. Seven of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come in 2023. The 2.9 million air travelers seen on Nov. 26 beat out the previous record from June 30, set by Fourth of July weekend travelers.

Suffice it to say, if you're traveling for a December holiday, it's a good time to make sure that your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear membership is active. Also, make sure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your flight reservation.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how airlines perform following 2022's headaches, most notably the Southwest Airlines December meltdown . That meltdown was an operational disaster the airline says it will avoid this year thanks to a host of changes.

Fortunately, airlines are off to a good start with this year's holiday season. Between Nov. 19 and 26, during peak the peak Thanksgiving period, U.S. based carriers canceled a collective 0.2% of flights, according to FlightAware data analyzed by TPG. That was down slightly from a similarly impressive 0.3% cancellation rate during the equivalent period last year. The rate of delays among those carriers hovered at a consistent 17% from last Thanksgiving.

However, travelers have learned all too well the last couple of years that the end-of-year holiday season can bring a plethora of potential roadblocks, including the possibility of bad weather and the lingering threat of air traffic control-related disruptions.

"Mother Nature is always the x-factor," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged at a news conference last month.

Busiest days to travel at Christmas and New Year's

busiest travel week of the year

The TSA anticipates heavy volume throughout the Christmas and New Year's holiday period. However, it may likely come in the form of sustained crowds, as opposed to any single, record-setting days. (In recent years, the busiest day of the year has typically been the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it was this year.)

Exactly which days will be the busiest days to fly this month? It's a little harder to predict the end-of-year holidays, which fall on a different day of the week each year. Also, recent years have held no shortage of abnormalities, from last December's bad weather and Southwest meltdown to COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge disrupting travel in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data:

  • Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday)
  • Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday)
  • Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day)

This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy leading into the weekends prior to the two holidays, particularly Christmas.

Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers, says the busiest days will be:

  • Thursday, Dec. 21
  • Friday, Dec. 22
  • Tuesday, Dec. 26
  • Wednesday, Dec. 27
  • Thursday, Dec. 28
  • Friday, Dec. 29

On the other hand, if you can find a way to travel on Christmas Day, you may find ultra-light crowds — if Thanksgiving was any indication, at least. Thanksgiving Day was the second least crowded day of 2023 at U.S. airports, according to TSA data. Likewise, Airlines for America projects Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be similarly uncrowded.

What about driving?

As usual, even more Americans will drive than fly for the holidays, although the share of air travelers is up from recent years.

More than 103 million U.S. travelers will take year-end holiday road trips during the 10 days around the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA. That's up nearly 2% from last year.

There's some good news for drivers, too. The national average for a gallon of regular gas currently sits at $3.15, down slightly from this time last year.

That's despite airlines battling cost pressures from jet fuel prices in recent months.

Still, if you are driving for Christmas or New Year's, be sure to pay at the pump with a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at gas stations . Consider stacking those bonus points with gas rewards programs and other ways to save on gas.

Bottom line

busiest travel week of the year

The holiday season is already off to a busy start, and that trend will likely continue this month with Christmas and New Year's travel. With those airport crowds in mind, it's a good time to double-check that you booked your flight and all other trip elements with a credit card that includes travel insurance protections.

As you travel, don't forget to take advantage of those airline fee credits on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express. Also, don't forget to use an airline credit card for credits on checked bags or travel. This is where you can really offset that annual fee.

Download the MyTSA app so you can check security checkpoint wait times and read up on your rights as an air traveler in the event something goes wrong — including when you're owed a refund.

Related reading:

  • Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
  • The best travel credit cards
  • Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
  • 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
  • 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
  • 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
  • Get 7 Days Free

These are the best and worst air travel days around Thanksgiving and Christmas

busiest travel week of the year

By Sally French

Here are the most and least crowded days around the holidays, and which days might be cheaper

This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.

Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn't necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily. The two days after Christmas also see heavy travel. And since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, that might mean an abnormally busy Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

To avoid crowds and save money, consider skipping the busy days and book your flights on one of the slower ones. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize to avoid crowds and save money.

The busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. Last year, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day, according to TSA data, making it the busiest travel day of 2022.

That same Sunday was also the year's single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days of the year for air travel were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Thanksgiving over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

Source: Transportation Security Administration checkpoint data, 2019-2022.

And here are the three least busy days to fly in that period:

Assuming past trends continue in 2023, expect Sunday, Nov. 26, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 25, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger based on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records. For example, 2023's Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel. More than 2.884 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday before July 4, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019, when a recorded 2.882 million people passed through TSA checkpoints.

Learn more: Crowds, costs and cancellation concerns? Try these tips and tricks for booking holiday travel.

The busiest days to fly around Christmas

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year and air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Christmas over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and -- especially during Christmas week -- many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

According to Chase Travel, Friday, Dec. 22, is one of the top three busiest days across all flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024 (the other two busiest days are Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30). Similarly, booking site Hopper anticipates that day having the highest fare for the Christmas season.

This holiday travel season may see some relief, though. Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, can sometimes align closely with Christmas. The eight-day celebration ran from Dec. 18-26 in 2022, but this year will commence on Dec. 15 -- likely before the Christmas crowds start.

Another consideration for travel is that the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

How to choose less crowded (and cheaper) travel days

The holiday travel season is always expensive, but there is some decrease from last year's prices. Airfares for Christmas trips are averaging $400 according to Hopper data. That's down 12%, or about $52 per ticket, from last year. The bad news is that it's still 29% higher than holiday airfares were in 2019.

Travel on the holiday: Traveling on the holiday is often the best way to avoid crowds and save money. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas versus Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

And that demand has a strong effect on prices. According to Hopper, domestic flights on Christmas Day average about 26% less than peak prices.

Book morning flights: If you are traveling on the holiday, catch the first flight out for the day and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Stay longer: If you can take the days off or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

For Thanksgiving, Hopper recommends flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day to fly, so extending your trip by just one day can save you money. According to Hopper, airfares average 40% less on the Monday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday after.

For Christmas, Hopper recommends departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday.

Skip holiday travel completely: If you don't mind celebrating in an unconventional way, consider participating in something like an un-holiday, where you shift the celebration by a couple of days or weeks.

Read next: If you want to be a more climate-friendly traveler, tough it out on the budget airlines--here's why

More From NerdWallet

The Best Airlines for 2023 Holiday Travel on PointsShould You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel?The Frequent Traveler Benefit People Want More Than Perks

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

-Sally French

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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These Are the Busiest Days to Travel for Christmas and New Year's, According to the TSA

Be prepared for airport congestion if you're flying on these days.

busiest travel week of the year

The Transportation Security Administration expects busy airport checkpoints this winter holiday season and is warning travelers to come prepared.

During its busiest days this season, the agency expects to screen more than 2.5 million passengers each day, a 6 percent increase compared to last year. The TSA said the most crowded days at airports across the country are forecast to be Thursday, Dec. 21, Friday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 1.

Last year, the busiest day was Dec. 29.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

“We are prepared to handle the busy passenger volumes this winter holiday season,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement . “TSA’s continued success during this record year for travel is a direct result of teamwork, planning and professional execution across the agency, from our frontline employees to those behind the scenes; partnerships with airports and air carriers; and innovative checkpoint technologies that improve security effectiveness, efficiency and the passenger experience.”

The start of Christmas and New Year’s travel — which airlines expect to be record-breaking — follows an equally busy Thanksgiving during which the TSA recorded the busiest day in its history . In total, a record 7.5 million travelers are forecast to fly over the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA .

To cope with the crowds, the TSA recommends travelers come prepared by knowing what they can and cannot bring through security. Certain holiday staples like pies are fine to bring in a carry-on bag, while others, like large bottles of eggnog, must be placed in a checked bag. Travelers should also think twice before wrapping gifts since TSA officers may have to unwrap them to inspect them.

Travelers who are unsure can check the “ What Can I Bring? ” page on the TSA’s website or ask the agency by texting a question to 275-872 or messaging the agency with the @AskTSA handle on X, formerly known as Twitter, or through Facebook Messenger.

The agency also wants travelers to be aware of new technology it is rolling out, like the Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which allows travelers to get through security without having to show a boarding pass or, in some cases, even a physical ID ; and the full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray system , which can create 3D images of carry-on items, allowing officers to detect things like weapons, explosives, and other banned items.

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Traveling for Thanksgiving? These are the busiest days to fly during the winter holidays

Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, and Tuesdays are the least busy. But during the holidays, that trend doesn’t necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is actually the busiest travel day for U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the numbers of passengers screened daily. Two days before Christmas and one day before Thanksgiving also tend to draw big airport crowds.

Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize schedules to avoid crowds and save money.

THE BUSIEST DAYS TO FLY AROUND THANKSGIVING

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. For every 100 people who flew on Thanksgiving Day 2021, there were 177 people flying out on the Sunday after, according to TSA.

That same Sunday was the year’s single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here’s a look at the days surrounding Thanksgiving week over the past three years, ranked in order of most to fewest air travelers at the TSA’s U.S. checkpoints:

— Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).

— Wednesday before.

— Saturday after.

— Friday before.

— Monday after (Cyber Monday).

— Sunday before.

— Tuesday before.

— Monday before.

— Saturday before.

— Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).

— Friday after (Black Friday).

— Wednesday after.

— Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

Assuming past trends continue in 2022, expect Sunday, Nov. 27, to be the  busiest travel day around Thanksgiving , followed by Wednesday, Nov. 23. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 26, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger than they were over the past couple of years.

“Thanksgiving travel volumes are looking similar to what we typically saw pre-pandemic in 2019,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel booking app Hopper.

THE BUSIEST DAYS TO FLY AROUND CHRISTMAS

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different weekday each year and that air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at Christmas and the seven calendar dates before and after over the past three years, ranked by most to fewest average air travelers, based on TSA checkpoint data:

— Dec. 27 (most crowded).

— Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).

— Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).

— Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).

— Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) (least crowded).

The 2022 holiday travel season will be different because Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, aligns closely with Christmas. While the eight -day celebration sometimes happens in November or early December, it begins this year on Dec. 18 and runs through Dec. 26.

There’s also the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, which runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Thus, travelers during that period might be celebrating more than just Christmas, potentially concentrating more holiday crowds in airports than in other years.

What’s more is that one of the busiest travel days of the year, Dec. 23 — the day before Christmas Eve — happens to fall on a Friday this year. Friday, you’ll recall, is typically the busiest travel day in any given week. Dec. 23 is not an official holiday, but many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

HOW TO CHOOSE LESS CROWDED (AND CHEAPER) TRAVEL DAYS

Traveling on the holiday itself is often the best way to avoid crowds. Catch the first flight out for the day, and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first eight months of 2022, 7.3% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

If you can take the days off work or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

Travelers can save an average of 15% by departing the first half of the week instead of the Thursday or Friday before Christmas this year, according to flight data from travel search engine Expedia. Average ticket prices for departures on the Monday before Thanksgiving are 15% cheaper than Wednesday departures, Expedia also found.

Or consider celebrating something like an un-Thanksgiving, where you shift the family dinner by a couple of days or weeks. Turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie don’t need to be reserved for the fourth Thursday of November.

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Keep an eye on your Christmas flight: Here's what flyers should expect this week

busiest travel week of the year

Flying for the holidays in the next few days or weeks? You're not alone.

According to data from the online booking platform Hopper, about 54 million people are expected to catch flights between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3.

The data also shows that Thursday and Friday this week, and the next two Mondays (Dec. 26 and Jan. 3), will be among the busiest travel days of the season.

Here's what you can expect as you head to the airport, and tips for how to make your travel experience smoother. Keep in mind: weather is probably going to be a big factor this week as record-cold temperatures and strong storms sweep across much of the country.

Flight delayed or canceled?  What you need to know and what airlines owe travelers.

If your flight is delayed,  you may be eligible for compensation from your airline

Which airports will be busiest for the holidays?

According to Hopper, these will be the busiest airports to fly through between now and the early days of 2023:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
  • Miami International Airport (MIA)

Historically, many of these airports also tend to suffer a relatively high share of delayed flights around the holidays, according to a USA TODAY analysis .

A greener way to travel: Understanding how sustainable aviation fuel can help airlines be more eco-friendly

Traveling with kids: Southwest Airlines tests a new boarding process to help families stick together

When will my airport be busy?

Different airports load their departures at different times, so lines will ebb and flow throughout the day. According to Hopper, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. is busiest at some airports, while 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the peak at others.

Real ID update: Implementation deadline delayed (again). You can keep traveling with an old ID until 2025.

Here's what the data shows: 

► Busiest between 8 a.m. and noon

► Busiest between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

No matter when you're traveling, it's a good idea to leave yourself extra time to get to the airport and clear security. If you're traveling during your airport's peak demand period, you won't want to cut it too close. 

What's the weather supposed to be like for holiday travel?

This week is expected to see some severe weather across much of the country, and snow and frigid temperatures are forecast in many places starting Wednesday through the end of the week. That could result in flight delays and cancellations, depending on when and where the most extreme weather hits.

'Big mess' is days away: Major winter storm to bring snow, arctic temps and travel headaches

If you're planning to fly later in the week, it's a good idea to sign up for alerts from your airline in case there are any changes to your flight.

If your travel plans are at all flexible, it might be worth considering flying out sooner, before the worst of the weather hits.

Getting through airport security quickly: What is TSA PreCheck and how much it costs

Tips for holiday air travel

Hopper suggests that travelers buy trip insurance, especially this time of year, when weather can cause disruption.

Experts also say it's a good idea to research alternatives in advance in case something does go wrong with the itinerary you originally booked. 

Airplane mode: Experts say it's safer to leave your cell reception off when you fly

And as always: Pack your patience. The airports promise to be crowded this season, but if you leave yourself enough time and are friendly to those who are trying to help you along your journey, you won't have as much reason to stress.

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Ready, set, travel: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway

It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (Dec. 21) (AP Video: Eugene Garcia in California, Joseph B. Frederick in New York, Sharon Johnson in Georgia, Kendria Lafleur in Texas)

In this long exposure photo, motor vehicles move along Interstate 276 in Feasterville, Pa., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

In this long exposure photo, motor vehicles move along Interstate 276 in Feasterville, Pa., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Motor vehicles move along Interstate 276 in Feasterville, Pa., Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A man and woman hug each other at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Travelers line up at a security checkpoint area in Terminal 3 at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Travelers walk to a ticketing desk at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

File - The sun sets behind the Manhattan skyline as plane approaches LaGuardia Airport on Sept. 6, 2023, in New York. Holiday travel is kicking off on highways, trains, and airports this week. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

FILE - Vehicles move along Interstate 76 in Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 2023. Holiday travel is kicking off on highways, trains, and airports this week. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A traveller stands in front of an information display giving travel details for the upcoming Christmas holiday period at Euston Station in London, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. London Rail travellers over the Christmas holiday season will have to contend with disruptions to services due to engineering work and bad weather. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A traveller stands in front of an information display giving travel details for the upcoming Christmas holiday period at Euston Station in London, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Rail travellers over the Christmas holiday season will have to contend with disruptions to services due to engineering work and bad weather. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A traveller waits for a train near a large Christmas tree at King’s Cross Station in London, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Rail travellers over the Christmas holiday season will have to contend with disruptions to services due to engineering work and bad weather. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Travelers walk through Terminal 3 at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Heavy traffic is seen at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Heavy traffic is seen at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A traveler checks for her flight at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Travelers check their tickets at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A traveler talks on the phone at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates.

Travel over Christmas and New Year’s tends to spread out over many days, so the peaks in the U.S. are likely to be lower than they were during the Thanksgiving holiday. That is making airlines and federal officials optimistic.

But the debacle at Southwest Airlines over Christmas last year should guard against overconfidence. Just this week, the Transportation Department announced a settlement in which Southwest will pay $140 million for that meltdown, which stranded more than 2 million travelers.

So far this year, airlines have canceled 1.2% of U.S. flights, down nearly half from 2.1% over the same period last year. Cancellations were well below 1% during Thanksgiving, according to FlightAware.

“I don’t want to jinx us, but so far 2023 has seen the lowest cancellation rate in the last five years,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Tuesday. He added, however, that winter weather “will certainly be a challenge in the next few weeks.”

Canceled flights surged last year, as airlines were caught short-staffed when travel rebounded from the pandemic more quickly than expected. Since then, U.S. airlines have hired thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers, and the cancellation rate has come down.

AP AUDIO: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway.

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.

It was so far, so good for most U.S. travelers Thursday, a day ahead of an expected peak Friday.

“Honestly it was great. I flew standby, which the week of holiday, you know, is tricky to do, and I made it on the second try. So I’m feeling really lucky. I feel like Santa is real, he’s good, he’s out there,” said Maggy Terrill, after flying from New York City to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to spend Christmas with family in southern Illinois.

A aircraft lands at Leeds Bradford Airport, England, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Storm Pia is expected to cause disruption in parts of Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

In Europe, some travelers weren’t as lucky.

High winds from a storm named Pia disrupted flights, trains and road travel in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and northern areas of the U.K.

Nearly a third of the flights arriving and departing Amsterdam Airport Schiphol were canceled Thursday, and hundreds of flights were delayed, according to Flightaware. Copenhagen Airport in Denmark warned that weather conditions posed a “risk of delays and cancellations,” especially on Thursday night. British Airways grounded two dozen flights, British broadcaster Sky News reported.

Adding to frustrations, workers at the undersea tunnel between Britain and France held a surprise strike for several hours Thursday that ended when Eurotunnel reached an agreement with union representatives.

Eurostar, which operates passenger train services from London to continental Europe, said services will not resume until Friday. The company said it would run six extra trains between Paris and London into the weekend. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which runs vehicle-carrying trains on the same link underneath the English Channel, began resuming services Thursday night.

Ross Haynes, 31, told the Press Association news agency he was travelling to visit family members in Manchester when his train was canceled.

“I was on the train, headphones in, podcast on and ready to go. Suddenly, everything was canceled and we were turfed off,” Haynes said.

After struggling with cancellations and other disruptions last year , European travel has been smoother this year and more people are expected travel over Christmas and New Year’s, said Mike Arnot, spokesman for Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Still, about 3% of flights within Europe have been canceled in so far in December, and nearly 30% have been delayed, according to Cirium.

Globally, air travel has not fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is expected to surge over the holidays compared to last year. Airlines have sold 31% more tickets for international arrivals to global destinations between Dec. 21 and Dec. 31 compared to the similar period last year, according to travel data firm FowardKeys.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says it is creating more air-traffic routes, especially along the East Coast, to help keep planes moving over the holidays.

Over the past year, airlines have blamed many of their delays on a shortage of FAA air traffic controllers that slows down traffic. The agency says it has been hiring and now has 10,700 certified controllers.

AAA is forecasting that 115 million people will go 50 miles or more from home between Saturday and New Year’s Day. That is a 2% increase over the auto club’s forecast last year, although it would fall short of the record set in 2019.

Most of those people will drive, and they will save a bit on gasoline, compared with last Christmas. The nationwide average Wednesday was $3.08 a gallon, down 23 cents from a month ago and 6 cents from this time last year, according to AAA.

The busiest days on the road will be Saturday and next Thursday, Dec. 28, according to transportation data provider INRIX.

The Transportation Security Administration expects that the busiest days for air travel will be Thursday, Friday and New Year’s Day. TSA expects to screen more than 2.5 million travelers each of those days — that’s still far short of the record 2.9 million that agents screened on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Flying in the U.S. is already surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The TSA has screened 12.3% more travelers than it had by this time last year and 1.4% more than in 2019. December is running about 6% above the same month last year.

Whether flying or driving, travelers should be keeping an eye on the weather forecast.

A Pacific storm pounded parts of Southern California on Thursday with heavy rain and street flooding. AccuWeather forecasters say rain storms could hit the Pacific Northwest and the southern Plains states including Texas later this week, but things look brighter for population centers — and key airports — in the Northeast.

AP reporters Alexandra Olson in New York, Kelvin Chan in London and Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago contributed to this report.

busiest travel week of the year

Simple Flying

A 'peak' at the busiest & quietest days in the week to fly.

It's nice to be able to avoid congestion if possible.

Arriving early at the airport can be fantastic if there is no one else around. There’s time to do duty-free shopping, grab a bite to eat, or even relax in the lounge . But there is nothing more frustrating than arriving in plenty of time, only to find that bag drop and security queues are so long that you end up sprinting to your gate.

Other days, you can plan to arrive just in time and find yourself sailing through an almost deserted airport with plenty of time to spare. So which days should you look to avoid if you want the airport to yourself?

Weekend vs weekdays

When it comes to which day of the week is the quietest, there isn’t a definitive answer. It is worth doing some research into the airport you are flying from. However, Tuesday and Wednesday are often less busy. This is because you have to take more days off work to fly mid-week, which people are usually reluctant to do. Upgraded Points notes that these days are also often cheaper.

Heathrow

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In contrast, traveling close to or at the weekend is typically more expensive, as well as busier. Leisure travelers looking to enjoy a weekend away tend to go Friday and Monday. At the same time, passengers who commute every week for work also travel Monday and Friday to return home for the weekend. As such, Sundays can be busy as business travelers try to get a head start on the week ahead.

Similarly, people traveling for extended vacations tend to travel during the weekend to maximize holiday time. Friday nights and Saturday mornings can see some airports busier than ever, so Office Needle advises traveling before 4 PM on Fridays. Weekend flights are more in demand and subsequently more expensive.

The exception to the rule

There is one big exception to the rule: package holiday companies. For some tourist destinations, a large percentage of flights are operated by, or in partnership with, package holiday companies. In these cases, if you aren’t traveling with one of these companies, the quietest day is just whatever day isn’t changeover day.

TUI Boeing 757 Skiathos Getty

The airline industry is always full of new developments! What aviation news will you check out next?

Generally, there is a standardized changeover day (or days), when holiday companies carry vast numbers of passengers over two days. Typically, this is the weekend, but if they want to allow passengers a whole weekend at the destination, changeover day can be mid-week. If the changeover day is a Tuesday, then this will become the busiest day, while the weekend might become very quiet.

The best time

As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. If you can’t fly on one of the quieter days, then getting up early is your best option. If the flight leaves before 8 AM, meaning you have to arrive around 6 AM, you should be in for a quiet time. This is because fewer people bother (or at least prefer) to travel that early.

However, not everyone can function that early. If you’re more of a night owl, then flying late is also a good option. It may be busier than morning, as many people who fly for business will fly overnight to arrive in time for meetings the next day. So, while you will have to deal with more travelers, they are more likely to be frequent flyers who are familiar with the airport routine, reducing congestion.

Night Landing Brussels Getty

In general, traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday will mean you avoid the highest fares and the busiest times. However, you will have to take more time off work if your job conforms to the normal working schedule. If you don’t have a choice, then an early morning flight will reduce the chance of having to queue for hours.

If you are less of a fan of waking up early or staying up late, and prefer to travel in the middle of the day, then you will typically be more likely to have to be prepared to face the crowds. Of course, if you’re flying over a holiday period or to a major event, busier airports and flights are to be expected at most times.

Do you have any tips or tricks for a smooth airport experience? When do you prefer to fly? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: Office Needle , Upgraded Points

Matador Original Series

busiest travel week of the year

These Will Be the Busiest Days to Fly Over the Holidays...and the Rest of the Year

Y ou think you’re crafty leaving the Thursday before Thanksgiving, assuming the airport will be nothing but you and some lonely Starbucks baristas.

Then you get half a mile from the drop-off area and traffic’s stopped. Check-in takes an hour. Security is another hour. You need to put Icy Hot on your shoulder because it’s so sore from carrying the 70 pounds of luggage you packed into a “ carry-on ” duffle. Looks like you weren’t the only one who thought you were being crafty.

The thing about airport traffic is that it’s about as unpredictable as airfares. Sometimes you show up on a Friday at 6:00 PM and breeze right through. Sometimes you book a Wednesday lunch flight and it feels like all of Cincinnati did too. You might have better luck picking horse races, who knows?

Well, actually, some people do know. We got numbers from the good people at Skyscanner , the travel app that tracks historic airfares and plane loads, as well as AirHelp , the “world’s leading air passenger rights company,” to help find the busiest days at the airport in 2017. Which, hopefully, shows trends around the same times to watch for this year and into 2019.

Some are predictable, but others might surprise you, and at the very least, keep you from an unexpected long day at the airport.

Note: All travel dates and corresponding holiday dates are from 2017.

May 26th (Friday before Memorial Day) — No huge shock here, other than that it’s busier than Memorial Day itself. Maybe take an extra vacation day and leave a day early, or head out early Saturday morning.

June 30th (Friday before the Fourth of July) — In 2017, the Fourth was a four-day weekend. So plenty of people headed out on the Friday prior, making it the third busiest airport day of the year. Again, not a surprise, but look for July 3rd to be insanely crowded in 2019 ahead of another four-day weekend.

August 31st (Thursday before Labor Day) — Think you’re slick dipping out a day early on the first weekend of football season? Think again. AirHelp found this to be the second-busiest day of Labor Day weekend.

September 1st (Friday before Labor Day) — It’s the second busiest day of the year to fly, and the busiest before November. Perhaps a nice barbecue at home is in order.

November 10th — This may have been the first travel shocker of the year, as the second Friday in November was the busiest day of the entire month and that includes Thanksgiving. Either there were a LOT of people traveling for that big UConn/Central Florida game in Orlando, or everyone wanted one last weekend away before going to see the family.

November 17th (Friday before Thanksgiving) — The Friday before Thanksgiving week has become an increasingly popular day to travel, as many schools now give the entire week off, and parents are willing to take an extra few vacation days to avoid the Thanksgiving crush. The Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving, however, bottom out. So maybe wait a day or two if you’re planning to leave for a week.

November 22nd (Day before Thanksgiving) — Urban legend says this is the nastiest travel day of the year, but it’s actually not even the worst in November, and only the sixth busiest of the year. That’s not to say expect Thanksgiving eve to be a breeze in 2018. But don’t let it scare you too much.

November 26th (Sunday after Thanksgiving) — Another predictably busy day at the airport, as AirHelp found this to be the busiest day of the Thanksgiving travel season.

November 30th — Another surprise for those who took a full week for Thanksgiving to avoid the masses. It’s not slammed like other November dates, but saw a significant uptick in Skyscanner’s numbers from the week following Turkey Day.

December 22nd (Friday before Christmas) — The nightmare before Christmas is truly any airport on the Friday prior, the 2017 undisputed champion of busiest days to fly. It saw nearly double the traffic of the day before Thanksgiving, and quadruple some dates in February. Wait until the next day and that number drops in half.

busiest travel week of the year

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This Year's Top Spring Break Travel Trends

By Rachel Chang

Image may contain Nature Outdoors Sea Water Sea Waves Person Leisure Activities Sport and Surfing

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The countdown to spring break has officially begun in the US. The hotly-anticipated travel period can mean a lot of different things to different people—from classic college party-goers and ultimate family vacationers to couples and solo travelers looking to escape the winter chill. But one thing that’s certain in 2024 is that spring break is no longer limited to one type of traveler, nor just one week of the year.

Due to the various holiday schedules between schools and regions, as well as the increased flexibility of remote work, the peak periods of spring break travel have extended within the months of March and April. Meanwhile, “weather around the country has been so volatile and unpredictable, many people want to simply get away to warmer weather for spring break to soak up the sun and recharge their batteries” even if they don’t have any designated time off, American Automobile Association (AAA) Travel Senior Vice President Paula Twidale tells Condé Nast Traveler .

While this year’s spring breakers are following certain past patterns of sunny escapes, new trends have also emerged—including increased interest in cruises, international journeys, and solar eclipse trips . As always, some travelers are intentionally planning around popular destinations and dates in order to find better deals and uncharted experiences. Whether you prefer a viral or an under-the-radar vacation, here are the top spring break trends to know this year, based on data and insights from major travel companies.

Image may contain Boat Transportation Vehicle Water Waterfront Plant Tree Outdoors Nature Scenery and Summer

AAA data shows a 28% leap in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year.

Florida cruise vacations are on the rise

To get away from the dreary climate, Americans are dreaming of sunny getaways, paired with pools, beaches, and outdoor activities. “Cruise vacations check all those boxes,” Twidale said in a release .

AAA’s data shows a 28% leap in cruise bookings for March and April compared to 2023, including a 60% increase in sailings leaving from South Florida. In fact, many were eager to book those spring break cruises, locking in their reservations earlier than in previous years. As a result, many cruises during this time period are already sold out. Some last-minute deals may still be available, but prices tend to be higher with limited cabin choices.

“Cruising’s popularity just continues to grow," AAA’s Cruise Relations Manager Scott Campbell tells Traveler . “Travelers are recognizing the value and convenience that cruising offers.” But he cautions not to confuse “value” with “deals,” since “the day of cheap cruises is over.” With demand rising, so are prices. Still, Campbell says that in general, cruises are often more affordable than a land-based vacation.

The South Florida ports of Fort Lauderdale and Miami are increasingly popular in part because of the debut of the world’s largest cruise ship Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in January, which can carry up to 7,600 people every week on Caribbean cruises. Port Canaveral, an hour from Orlando , remains the busiest cruise port on the globe (a title previously held by Port Miami), with more than four million people sailing from there in 2022, Campbell says.

Flight bookings to international destinations are up 20 compared to March and April of last year according to AAA.

Flight bookings to international destinations are up 20% compared to March and April of last year, according to AAA.

Americans are more willing to venture outside the US

Summer may be the time for major long-haul getaways, but that doesn’t mean that Americans are shying away from using their passports during spring break. Bookings for international flights are up 20% and for hotels are up 37% compared to March and April of last year, AAA Travel said in its spring break forecast .

“Europe has always been a popular destination for spring break, especially for educational touring and for families looking to reunite during the break,” Twidale tells Traveler . Americans are especially drawn towards the capital cities with London , Paris , Rome , Dublin , and Amsterdam , topping the list of AAA’s most popular getaways.

But not everyone is looking to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Flying south to sunnier skies is also a popular choice, particularly to the Caribbean , Barbados , Dominican Republic , and Mexico , she says.

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Expedia’s data echoes that, with Paris as its top European destination, but interest in Tokyo also continues to rise, showing that Americans are willing to go the distance during the shorter travel season. “Tokyo has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for US travelers post-pandemic, maintaining an upward trajectory with year-over-year searches soaring by nearly 55% for the second consecutive year,” Expedia Travel Expert Christie Hudson says. The cherry blossoms remain a major draw this time of year for Japan.

The Asia-bound trend is also strong over at Priceline, with bucket-list destinations seeing tremendous search spikes. The online travel site has seen a nearly 400% rise in searches for Hong Kong for the period, as well as 361% to Taipei, Taiwan , and 149% to Bangkok . Its data also shows increased interest in Kyoto, Japan ; Manila, Philippines ; and Singapore .

A row of chairs and umbrellas on a white sand beach.

Pensacola, Florida is a popular and affordable spring break destination.

Travelers are seeking out affordable alternatives

Early spring traditionally is described as one of two shoulder seasons —travel periods between the peak and off-peak seasons when prices are lower, crowds are still thin, but weather is evening out, Priceline’s Consumer Travel Expert Christina Bennett says. (The other is early fall.)

Now travelers are growing even savvier and pairing shoulder season with so-called dupe destinations, which she says is “a new term for more off-the-beaten path destinations that offer the same vibes and experiences as a peak destination.” Another trend is staying in “shoulder cities,” which she describes as a “nearby destination on the outskirts of a tourist hub.” For example, one might stay in Queens or Hoboken, New Jersey, when visiting New York City’s midtown Manhattan. More “moderately priced accommodations can be found in these neighboring locales while travelers can still enjoy easy access to the same vacation highlights,” Bennett explains.

Case in point: Priceline has seen a 20% rise in hotel searches for the shoulder city of Kissimmee, Florida, where hotel rates average $142 a night, compared to the $250 rate in Orlando proper.

By skirting both the peak times and most popular places, “this year’s spring break travelers are seeking ways to save without sacrificing experience,” Bennett says. Trending destinations that fall into this category include Pensacola, Florida; Fresno, California; and Knoxville, Tennessee, according to Priceline’s data.

Image may contain Nature Night Outdoors Astronomy Eclipse Lunar Eclipse and Moon

US travelers are planning domestic getaways around the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

The solar eclipse is increasing early April demand

While spring break travel traditionally runs the entire months of March and April, this year’s peak weeks are being dictated by the sun—quite literally.

With a total solar eclipse that will be visible from the US, passing from Texas northeast into New York, on April 8, 2024, the rare event is marking the confluence of already busy periods of April 1 to 8. “Historically, this week marks the peak of spring travel activity” in part because of the Easter holiday, Hudson says.

Expedia's data shows rising travel interest in cities that are located in the eclipse’s path of totality. Flight searches for Dallas and Austin have both risen over 90% for the spring period, marking some of the greatest year-over-year growth.

That also means that the week of April 2 will be the most expensive to fly for domestic travelers—and be the busiest for both domestic and international travelers. Meanwhile, March 12 will be the most expensive for international travel, according to Expedia. Budget-conscious travelers should hone in on the week of April 23 for domestic and March 5 for international trips for the lowest prices, Hudson suggests.

Image may contain Bridge Building Outdoors Nature Ocean Water Sea Human Person Shoreline and Coast

The first week of March and the last week of April are more affordable and less-busy spring travel periods.

Spring travel is cheaper this year

Despite the celestial event causing a shift, overall spring travel is cheaper this year. Airfare in March is 3% less than last year, and April is 8% less, according to Kayak's spring break forecast.

In March, the cheapest domestic getaways include Baltimore with $265 average airfare, Nashville with $277, and Chicago with $288, while international ones are all on the continent: Toronto with $303 average airfare; Guadalajara, Mexico with $336; and Montreal with $361. In April, the best US deals are Denver with $286 average airfare, Chicago with $283, and Tampa with $294, and international destinations are San Salvador, El Salvador with $300; Toronto with $326; and Vancouver with $331.

On top of it, travelers aren’t being shy about their savings. “Travelers proudly showing off their deals and savings has become a craze amongst spring breakers,” Bennett says, in a trend Priceline has dubbed as “loud budgeting.”

“For those who have wiggle room, I recommend traveling the first week of March or the last week of April because it’s more affordable and half as busy,” Hudson suggests. For those with set schedules, she suggests leaving on a Tuesday instead of a weekend, which will historically save about 15%

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The Vacationer • Air Travel • Air Travel Guides

Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays – Christmas & New Year’s 2024

Best Worst Days to Fly for Holiday Travel

As seen in our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey , 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering for Christmas this year.

There are a limited number of flights available for Christmas and New Year’s, so it is important to book as early as possible for the best prices (ideally you have already booked your holiday travel). Additionally, some days are much better than others to fly when it comes to crowds and cost. This guide will detail how far in advance to book holiday travel as well as the best and worst days to fly.

Table of Contents

How Far in Advance to Book Holiday Travel

Ideally, you should book your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights many months in advance. As a rule, we suggest booking domestic flights at least one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance, but the earlier the better. For the holidays, you should book even earlier if possible to guarantee a desirable route, time, seat, and price.

With Thanksgiving over, here are our recommended cutoff dates for booking Christmas flights for the 2023 holiday season.

Christmas (book before Thanksgiving)

The best deals on Christmas flights are usually available through late August and early September . If possible, book even earlier in June or July. At the latest, you should book by Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If it is December and you still do not have a flight, you should expect to pay a premium. Additionally, you will likely only have undesirable flight times to choose from with the potential for one or more connections. Here is a ranking of our recommended booking times.

  • June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
  • Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
  • Early October  – Google’s recommendation. Cheap prices but lower inventory
  • Thanksgiving  – Book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving at the latest
  • December  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Christmas Flights – Best & Worst Times

Thanksgiving (book before Halloween)

I recommend booking your Thanksgiving flight by late August or early September for the best price. If possible, book in June or July. Book international flights even earlier. If you wait too long, you should aim to book by Halloween at the latest. While it is possible to get a decent deal after Halloween, your chances dramatically decrease. Your odds of finding a desirable flight time also go down when booking after Halloween. Here is a ranking of our recommended times.

  • Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
  • Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
  • November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Best & Worst Times

Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

Being on a Thursday every year, the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving are predictable. Christmas is a little more difficult since it does not fall on the same day of the week every year. Here are the days you should target and the days you should avoid this holiday season. To come up with our best and worst dates forecast, we sampled hundreds of flight prices around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our sample included numerous departure and arrival cities around the United States.

Christmas (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey shows 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. Since Christmas falls on a different day every year, the best days to fly change. Other things such as school and business closures affect the dates too. Christmas can fall on a weekend (as it did in 2022), which further complicates things. Generally, the worst day to fly for Christmas is December 23, but that is not a hard rule.

Best Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The earlier you depart the week before Christmas the better. Americans will look to get a few days of work in before flying out. If possible, fly on Monday, December 18, or Tuesday, December 19. Sunday, December 17 is even better if you can swing it. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds too, but you may not want to travel on a holiday.

Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many people will fly home the day after. Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27 will be popular travel days, so try and wait until Thursday or Friday.

Worst Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can.

Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight. Despite being the day after Christmas, many people will fly home on Tuesday or Wednesday so they can return to work for a few days before the weekend.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Travel Tips

We recommend flying out for New Year’s on Thursday, December 28 or Friday, December 29. Fly home on Wednesday January 3 or Thursday January 4. While it is not ideal, flying out on the night of New Year’s Eve or the morning of New Year’s Day is generally cheap. Unfortunately, you will probably miss New Year’s Eve activities if you opt for an evening flight. An early New Year’s Day flight is not optimal either unless you can go bed very early on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid flying out on Saturday, December 30 and the morning of December 31.

Thanksgiving (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows more than 45.21% of American adults intend to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering last year. That means tens of millions of people will fight over seats for a very limited number of flights.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

As the table shows, you want to depart early during the week. If possible, Sunday is even better than Monday. While not ideal, Thanksgiving Day is a great day to fly . Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip.

Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Friday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Worst Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

Avoid the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at all costs. It is one of the most popular days of the year to fly, and it is expensive. Additionally, airports are always packed, so it is an extra stressful experience.

Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving for your return flight. Most people fly that day to get home before the workweek. I recommend flying home on Friday or Monday or Tuesday.

Average Holiday Flight Prices for 2023 – Thanksgiving ($300) and Christmas ($400)

With November here, flight prices are increasing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect to pay on average $300 for a roundtrip Flight for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, expect to pay on average $400 for a roundtrip flight.

Those prices will vary by your destination and dates of travel, so we recommend doing your homework before booking. If possible, travel on our recommended days and avoid the worst days.

We’ve found many domestic Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $200. We’ve also found various international Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $500.

Flexibility is the key to finding the absolute cheapest holiday flights. Use the Google Flights Explore map to find the best flight deals from your home airport or city around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Travel is Recovering for the 2023 Holiday Season

On most days, hundreds of thousands more travelers are going through TSA checkpoints compared to the same day as last year. For 2023, we expect holiday travel numbers to resemble or surpass 2019, which is the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Further Reading: What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight and How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations

Other Tips For Scoring a Cheap Holiday Flight Deal

Check out our guide to finding and booking cheap flights for additional tips. A few of the major tips may not be applicable with holiday travel (being very flexible on dates and destinations), but other guidelines can help. Here are a few of them.

  • Do: Start With Google Flights
  • Do: Be Open to Different Nearby Departure and Arrival Airports
  • Do: Be Open to All Airlines
  • Do: Be Open to Flights With Connections
  • Don’t: Waste Your Time Clearing Cookies
  • Don’t: Waste Your Time Browsing in Incognito

Additionally, our best websites to book cheap flights guide and top airline credit cards tutorial can help you save even more money.

Further Reading: Clearing Cookies or Searching Incognito Does Not Show Cheaper Flight Prices

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The worst day to fly for Thanksgiving is the Wednesday before.

The best days are the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday after Turkey Day. The worst day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It is, but it is not ideal for most people.

It is, but most people do not want to fly home on the day after Thanksgiving.

Book by the middle of September at the latest for the best price, but you should ideally book earlier. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Halloween to book.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days before Christmas Eve.

Avoid the two days before Christmas Eve.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days after Christmas.

Book by the middle of September for the best price. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving to book.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Ideally, you have already booked your 2023 holiday travel. If you have not done so already, there is still time to get a deal, but you need to move quickly. Shoot for the dates discussed in the article and avoid the bad ones. After the holidays are over, follow our best days of the week to fly and our best day of the week to book flights guides.

Phil Dengler The Vacationer Bio

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 — 43%+ to Travel; 66%+ Say Inflation is Affecting Plans; 29% to Spend $501+ on Travel; Cranberry Sauce Most Hated Food

Thanksgiving Flights & Travel Tips

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

Christmas Flights Travel Tips

When to Book Christmas Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

NBC Boston

These Are The Busiest Days to Fly During the Winter Holidays

To avoid the busy travel rush, book flights for long before or after a major holiday, by sally french | nerdwallet • published november 16, 2022 • updated on november 16, 2022 at 10:03 am.

Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, and Tuesdays are the least busy. But during the holidays , that trend doesn’t necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is actually the busiest travel day for U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the numbers of passengers screened daily. Two days before Christmas and one day before Thanksgiving also tend to draw big airport crowds.

Here’s a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize schedules to avoid crowds and save money.

The Busiest Days to Fly Around Thanksgiving

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The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. For every 100 people who flew on Thanksgiving Day 2021, there were 177 people flying out on the Sunday after, according to TSA.

That same Sunday was the year’s single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here’s a look at the days surrounding Thanksgiving week over the past three years, ranked in order of most to fewest air travelers at the TSA’s U.S. checkpoints:

  • Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).
  • Wednesday before.
  • Saturday after.
  • Friday before.
  • Monday after (Cyber Monday).
  • Sunday before.
  • Tuesday before.
  • Monday before.
  • Saturday before.
  • Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).
  • Friday after (Black Friday).
  • Wednesday after.
  • Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

Assuming past trends continue in 2022, expect Sunday, Nov. 27, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 23. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 26, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger than they were over the past couple of years.

“Thanksgiving travel volumes are looking similar to what we typically saw pre-pandemic in 2019,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel booking app Hopper.

busiest travel week of the year

Why U.S. Rail Travel Is So Expensive

busiest travel week of the year

Flying Home for the Holidays Will Cost You More This Year

The busiest days to fly around christmas.

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different weekday each year and that air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at Christmas and the seven calendar dates before and after over the past three years, ranked by most to fewest average air travelers, based on TSA checkpoint data:

  • Dec. 27 (most crowded).
  • Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).
  • Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve).
  • Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).
  • Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) (least crowded).

The 2022 holiday travel season will be different because Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, aligns closely with Christmas. While the eight-day celebration sometimes happens in November or early December, it begins this year on Dec. 18 and runs through Dec. 26.

There’s also the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa, which runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Thus, travelers during that period might be celebrating more than just Christmas, potentially concentrating more holiday crowds in airports than in other years.

What’s more is that one of the busiest travel days of the year, Dec. 23 — the day before Christmas Eve — happens to fall on a Friday this year. Friday, you’ll recall, is typically the busiest travel day in any given week. Dec. 23 is not an official holiday, but many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

How to Choose Less Crowded (And Cheaper) Travel Days

Traveling on the holiday itself is often the best way to avoid crowds. Catch the first flight out for the day, and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first eight months of 2022, 7.3% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data .

If you can take the days off work or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

Travelers can save an average of 15% by departing the first half of the week instead of the Thursday or Friday before Christmas this year, according to flight data from travel search engine Expedia. Average ticket prices for departures on the Monday before Thanksgiving are 15% cheaper than Wednesday departures, Expedia also found.

Or consider celebrating something like an un-Thanksgiving, where you shift the family dinner by a couple of days or weeks. Turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie don’t need to be reserved for the fourth Thursday of November.

_____________________________

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sally French is a writer at NerdWallet.

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The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving

Sally French

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Thanksgiving week tends to draw major airport crowds, and coupled with inevitable weather delays, it can be a brutal time to travel. Not to mention, the conventional wisdom to fly on Tuesdays won't necessarily save you much money.

But some days within Thanksgiving week are significantly busier than others. If you can afford to be flexible with scheduling, you’ll not only save money, but you might also avoid chaos.

The best and worst days to fly around Thanksgiving

NerdWallet analyzed checkpoint travel numbers provided by the Transportation Security Administration from 2019-2022, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily in the U.S. at its checkpoints.

The data shows that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most crowded day to travel from the seven days before and after Thanksgiving.

Are airports busy on Thanksgiving Day? Our analysis shows that the actual holiday is the least crowded travel day at airports.

From 2019-2022, here were the most to least crowded days for Thanksgiving flying:

Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).

Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Friday before.

Monday after (Cyber Monday).

Saturday after.

Sunday before.

Tuesday before.

Thursday before.

Monday before.

Saturday before.

Thursday after.

Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).

Friday after (Black Friday).

Wednesday after.

Thanksgiving Day (least crowded).

When broken out by pre- and post-holiday travel, here are the three least-crowded days to travel ranked from least to most crowded. Because they're less crowded and likely less expensive, it makes them some of the best days to fly around Thanksgiving.

Pre-holiday:

Saturday before (least crowded).

Post-holiday:

Wednesday after (least crowded).

Black Friday.

Tuesday after.

Video preview image

Why flying the Sunday after Thanksgiving is so terrible

By almost all metrics, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is pretty much the worst day of the year to fly. In 2019, 2021 and 2022, it was the busiest single day of the entire year in terms of U.S. passengers, based on TSA passenger data.

(The post-Thanksgiving Sunday wasn't the busiest day of the year in 2020 because, well, you know why. The most-crowded-day award in 2020 went to Friday, Feb. 14, which preceded the Presidents Day weekend and pandemic-related travel restrictions.)

Here’s a breakdown of the number of people flying on Thanksgiving Day versus the Sunday after Thanksgiving in three recent years:

For every 100 people who were flying on Thanksgiving Day 2022, there were 183 people flying on the Sunday after.

The smarter, cheaper Thanksgiving weekend itinerary

If you work a standard Monday-Friday workweek, with two days off for the holiday, then leaving Wednesday after work and flying home Sunday night might make sense. That’s the schedule most people follow to avoid taking extra time off, and if you join in, then you’ll pay — both in terms of cost and crowds.

Beyond crowds, expect to pay big this year. Sure, average airfares are actually cheaper this year versus last (and are even cheaper this year versus pre-pandemic), with average airfares for the first six months of 2023 down 7.2% versus the same period in 2022, according to a NerdWallet analysis of consumer price index data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

But airfares can still feel incredibly high. That’s for a few reasons, including that basic economy seats have lowered overall prices. But for folks who end up paying a la carte for benefits that were typically included in the past (e.g., checked bags or the ability to select your seat), the total cost can end up sometimes more expensive given all those ancillary fees .

So how can you choose a better Thanksgiving travel itinerary to save money? Avoid the Wednesday-Sunday itinerary and try these travel days instead.

Travel on Thanksgiving Day

Is flying on Thanksgiving Day busy? Across travel days for the week before and after Thanksgiving, the holiday was the lowest-traffic day every year in our analysis. Book the first flight out for the day — a practice NerdWallet recommends anyway to reduce your odds of a flight delay — and you might even land in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Stay longer

If you can extend your trip, the Wednesday after Thanksgiving is, on average, the second-emptiest day to travel. Especially if you have the option of remote work , you might be able to avoid taking vacation days, despite the longer trip.

Fly on Black Friday

If you must travel during the weekend, consider having Thanksgiving dinner at your own home, then flying somewhere on Black Friday, which is the third-least crowded day to fly on average.

Look at it as a great way to not only avoid airport crowds but also retail crowds since you won’t be out shopping.

The standard rules around the best (and worst) days to fly don’t necessarily apply. Coupling that with conventional wisdom around saving money on flights , flying for Thanksgiving might not be as painful a proposition as you once thought.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

busiest travel week of the year

Is Christmas Eve A Busy Travel Day?

Winter is when we think of traveling to visit loved ones. Everyone has time off from school and work for the holidays, so it's the ideal season to gather or just get away from the daily grind. Unfortunately, the winter months also come with some of the busiest travel dates, which means longer lines and higher likelihood of lost baggage. Furthermore, winter comes with another problem for travelers. Snow in many states leads to an increased number of flight delays, so plan diligently this time of year.

busy airport terminal

Air travel volume has returned to pre-Covid levels. In 2019, the TSA screened a record-breaking 2,870,746 passengers on one day in December, conventionally the busiest day of the year for air travel. This year, The Parking Spot expects to see that record broken. So, what are the busiest travel dates for winter? You could find the answer to this question by combing through ticket prices in search of spikes and dips throughout the month of December ( airfare fluctuates with demand ). But, we've done the research so you don't have to worry about it. Here's what you need to know before you make winter flight plans.

The Busiest Travel Dates for Winter

Consider avoiding travel on these busy dates if you can help it:

November 28 - The weekend after Thanksgiving marks the time when people are just finishing up Black Friday shopping and have a couple of days off of work to fly.

December 1 - The first day of December is a popular air travel date for those planning extended, even month-long, vacations.

December 23 - This is the day before Christmas Eve, and people everywhere scramble to make it to their loved ones before the holiday.

December 26 - As soon as Christmas is over, many people need to get back home to work and other responsibilities. If you can wait a couple of days to get home, you'll experience fewer crowds at the airport.

December 27 - Many people know that the airport will be bustling on December 26th and wait till the 27th to fly. They don't consider how many people had the same idea. Until after New Year's Eve, terminals will be crowded. If you can, avoid air travel until after the 27th.

Now you know what days you shouldn't travel. Which dates are likely to provide you with a better travel experience at the airport?

The Best Travel Dates for Winter

Consider planning your air travel on these dates to avoid hassle:

December 20 - Typically, people don't need more than a couple days of leisure time at a destination before a holiday. December 20 is just far enough in advance of the major holidays to avoid the biggest crowds.

December 24 - People who celebrate traditionally want to be with their loved ones on Christmas Eve. They're typically with families, not at airports. As far as winter travel dates go, December 24 is one of the lightest.

December 25 - Like Christmas Eve, this major holiday is customarily a family day, not one for travel. The 25th might be the slowest day for air travel this winter. If you get creative with your holiday plans, you're sure to avoid airport crowds.

December 31 - Most people would rather party to celebrate a new year than spend the day airport hopping. But, if you're more interested in getting where you need to be while avoiding crowds and saving money, New Year's Eve is a light day to fly.

Bonus Travel Tips

For one reason or another, the slowest winter travel dates above may not work for you to travel by air. There's no need to worry. Here are a few more quick tips to help you plan your holiday.

  • Travel on Tuesdays: Year round, Tuesday is typically the slowest day of the week for air travel. When you can, schedule travel mid-week instead of on weekends.
  • Fly on National Holidays: Holidays at airports are not typically as lively as the dates surrounding them. If you can plan festivities on the day before or after a national holiday and travel on the holiday itself (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.), you're likely to have a better experience at the airport. This goes for most major holidays.
  • Don't Check a Bag: If you must travel on a busy winter travel date, pack light. You'll save yourself the hassle of lost baggage if you only take a carry-on. If gifts are part of your holiday tradition, purchase small items like jewelry, and leave them unwrapped until you arrive. Better yet, shop at your destination rather than at home.

When you travel any time of year, let us help by caring for your car while you're away. Find out if the Parking Spot is located near your airport, and save money on airport transportation this year!

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What Is the Busiest Time for Air Travel?

by Elizabeth Scott

Published on 5 Jun 2023

With increased security measures and decreased flight schedules, long lines at the airport can be frustrating. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, booking your flights during the airport’s off-peak periods can spare you a lot of headaches, especially at major U.S. airports such as New York, Denver, or Los Angeles. Whether you're a regular business traveler, or looking to skip the crowds during the busiest days, booking around the flights that tend to be the most full may not only save you time, but money on airfare ticket prices as well.

Keep in mind that pre-pandemic travel patterns may have looked different than travel traffic and busiest times from last year or in current times. Airline disruptions and pilot shortages at airlines including Southwest may also cause flight delays, or a change in travel during the holiday season or other worst days for travel.

Monday Mornings and Friday Afternoons

Holiday travel aside, the most regular influx for air travel happens every Monday morning and Friday afternoon when traveling professionals are making their way to and back from their work week. It may not seem like it would be much, but the period generates enough increase for airlines like United to warn customers to allow an additional half-hour for check-in in addition to the standard one hour to 90 minutes during non-peak times. Airlines tend to charge less for flights that take place between Monday at noon and Thursday at noon, so if you can, book your travel after lunch on Monday or before noon on Thursday to avoid the rush.

Thursday Afternoons and Sunday Afternoons

Thursday afternoons, Sunday afternoons and some overlap in Friday afternoon air travel tends to involve vacation travelers making their way to and from a three- or four-day weekend getaway. This is evidenced by Thursday noon ticket rate increases and by Sunday flights being among the most expensive in general. If you have to fly on Thursday or Sunday, opt for the earliest or latest flights out.

Christmas Through New Year’s Day

When it comes to holiday travel scares, Thanksgiving travel tends to get a bad rap, but when looking at only flight stats, Orbitz.com found that the week around Christmas is far busier. United States Department of Transportation says the number of long-distance travelers during the period between Christmas Eve to New Year’s rises 23 percent, compared to the average number during the rest of the year. Which days are the busiest tends to depend on what days of the week the holidays fall during any given year.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

When it comes to the single busiest travel day of the year, Orbitz still crowned Thanksgiving Eve number one. The Department of Transportation found that Thanksgiving day is the busiest long-distance travel day overall, but 91 percent of that travel is actually by automobile. For those traveling by air or other commercial mode, however, the study found that the volume of bookings for the weekdays, Wednesday especially, before Thanksgiving remains heaviest, so making your flight on Tuesday or Thursday, when possible, is best.

Fridays During Summer

In its study, Orbitz ranked three weeks between June and August in the top five busiest weeks of the year for travel. In fact, Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association told CBS News that the busiest travel days of the year are actually Fridays in June, July and August. That’s because recreational travel tends to peak when schools are on break. Parents tend to take Friday off or leave early to travel over a long weekend with major cities and airports near beach destinations often seeing the bulk. Summer holidays including memorial day weekend can increase air traffic, prepare for increased lines at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.

Other Considerations

Time of day can impact flight worst times as much as time of year. Using services like Hopper, travelers can view peak times for travel and avoid accordingly. Additionally keep in mind your destination, at times like spring break certain travel spots may see increased number of passengers while others may not.

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Avoid flying during the busiest weeks of the year

busiest travel week of the year

Jessica Labrencis

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One secret of a hassle-free travel experience is to avoid flying when everyone else is traveling. Not only will you snag a less-expensive fare, but airports will have fewer crowds and planes will be less full. If you know when not to fly, you’ll have a better chance of breezing through security and stretching your legs in a row of your own.

According to Farecast , the absolute busiest (and most expensive) weeks to fly are around holidays. It’s no surprise that Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy, but Presidents’ Day, Easter, and Memorial Day are also peak periods for flying. Hotwire ‘s travel expert, Clem Bason, reports that travel around the December holidays is 30 percent busier than during average weeks, and Thanksgiving is 25 percent busier.

Following holidays, the next-busiest travel periods are the spring-break season and summer. Spring break tends to vary by college or school district, and this year, March 20 to 23 is the busiest stretch (probably due to Easter falling on March 23), followed closely by March 14 to 16.

Summer is always busy, but prices are highest around July 4. The last two weekends in June and the first weekend in August are also popular times to fly, and the entire summer is on average 20 percent busier than other times of year, according to Hotwire.

(Editor’s Note: SmarterTravel.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Hotwire.com.)

Have a great travel tip you’d like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to [email protected] .

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The Busiest Travel Days of the Year: What You Need to Know

Busiest Travel Days of the Year

Table of Contents

Discover the essential information about the busiest travel days of the year. From holiday rush to peak season travel, learn how to navigate and enjoy your journey stress-free.

Traveling is an enriching experience that broadens horizons and creates lasting memories. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a business trip, understanding the busiest travel days of the year is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. In this comprehensive guide Busiest Travel Days of the Year, we’ll provide you with insights and tips to help you navigate these bustling periods with ease.

Holiday Rush: A Time of Joy and Crowds

The holiday season brings joy, but it also ushers in some of the busiest travel days of the year. Families come together, and friends reunite, creating an atmosphere of excitement at airports and train stations. Here’s what you need to know about traveling during the holidays:

1. Thanksgiving Turbulence

Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, and it leads to a significant surge in travel. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is famously known as “Black Wednesday,” as it sees an influx of travelers heading home for the festivities. Expect crowded airports and highways, so plan your journey accordingly. Great post to read about Logistics Companies UK .

2. Christmas Crunch

The period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is another travel peak. Many people take time off work to spend the holidays with loved ones, resulting in packed airports and full hotels. Be sure to book your flights and accommodations well in advance.

Busiest Travel Days of the Year

3. New Year, New Destinations

The New Year brings a fresh start and an urge to explore new destinations. Consequently, the first week of January is often busy with travelers eager to kickstart the year with a getaway. If you’re planning a trip around this time, consider flexibility in your travel dates for better availability and lower prices.

Busiest Travel Days of the Year

The Summer Sojourn: Peak Season Travel

Summer is synonymous with vacations, making it one of the peak seasons for travel. Families, students, and adventure-seekers hit the road, skies, and seas. Here’s what you should know about navigating summer travel:

4. School’s Out

Summer vacations coincide with the school break, resulting in a surge of family travel. If you’re planning a family vacation, remember to make reservations early, and consider destinations and activities that cater to all age groups.

5. Beach Bliss

Beach destinations are particularly popular during the summer. Resorts in tropical paradises can get booked quickly. To secure your spot in the sun, book your accommodations well in advance and explore less crowded, equally beautiful destinations.

6. European Escapes

Many travelers flock to Europe during the summer months to enjoy pleasant weather and cultural festivals. However, this leads to crowded tourist attractions and higher prices. To beat the crowds, consider traveling in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall.

Business Travel: The Weekly Commute

While leisure travel peaks during holidays and summer, business travel follows a different pattern. It typically spikes during the weekdays, especially on Mondays and Fridays. Here’s what business travelers should know:

7. Monday Madness

Monday is a popular day for business travel, as professionals head to meetings and conferences at the beginning of the workweek. Consider scheduling your meetings on Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the Monday rush.

Busiest Travel Days of the Year

8. Friday Getaways

Fridays see an influx of business travelers heading home for the weekend. If possible, try to schedule your return on Thursday or extend your stay until Saturday to avoid the crowded Friday flights.

9. The Midweek Advantage

For reduced travel crowds and lower fares, opt for midweek travel. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have fewer travelers, making it a more relaxed experience.

Whether you’re embarking on a holiday adventure , enjoying summer vacations, or traveling for business, it’s essential to plan ahead. These insights into the busiest travel days of the year can help you make informed decisions and ensure a stress-free journey.

Busiest Travel Days of the Year :

Busiest travel day of the week

Certainly! The busiest travel day of the week can vary depending on the type of travel and region. Here’s some information about the busiest travel days of the week for different scenarios:

  • Weekend Getaways: For leisure travelers looking to take short weekend getaways, Fridays and Sundays tend to be the busiest travel days of the week. Many people want to start their weekend trips early on Friday and return home on Sunday to prepare for the workweek ahead. This can lead to crowded airports, highways, and popular tourist destinations these days.
  • Business Travel: For business travelers, Monday and Friday are often the busiest travel days of the week. Mondays are popular for outbound business trips as professionals want to start their workweek at their destination. Fridays are busy with travelers heading back home after their work commitments. These days can see crowded airports and higher demand for flights.
  • Long-Haul International Travel: For long-haul international flights, mid-week days like Tuesday and Wednesday are often preferred by travelers. Airlines tend to offer slightly lower fares and fewer crowds during these days. Travelers can also avoid the weekend rush at airports and enjoy a more relaxed journey.
  • Domestic Flights: When it comes to domestic flights, the busiest travel days can vary by region and airline. However, Fridays and Sundays are often busier due to the combination of leisure and business travelers. It’s a good idea to check with your airline for specific information on the busiest days for your domestic route.
  • Holiday Travel: During major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the busiest travel days can be quite predictable. For instance, the day before Thanksgiving (often referred to as “Black Wednesday”) is known for its heavy travel as people rush to reach their holiday destinations. Similarly, the days leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve see increased travel.
  • Summer Travel: In the summer, Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the busiest travel days for vacationers. Families and tourists often plan their trips to maximize their time off work and school. Popular summer destinations like beach resorts can get especially crowded on weekends.

Final Words

Understanding the busiest travel days of the year and planning accordingly can significantly enhance your travel experience. Whether you’re embarking on a holiday adventure, a summer escape, or a business trip, being well-prepared and flexible can make all the difference. So, pack your bags, book your tickets, and embrace the joy of traveling during the busiest times of the year.

FAQs About Busiest Travel Days of the Year

Are there any tools to help me find the best travel deals during peak seasons.

Yes, numerous online platforms and apps offer fare comparison and tracking tools to help you find the best travel deals. Websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights can be incredibly helpful.

What are some tips for surviving crowded airports during the holidays?

To survive crowded airports, arrive early, pack light, and use online check-in to skip long lines. Consider bringing entertainment and snacks to keep yourself comfortable during potential delays.

How can I make the most of my summer vacation while avoiding crowds?

Choose less touristy destinations, explore off-peak hours at popular attractions, and book accommodations in advance. Additionally, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons for a more peaceful experience.

Is it possible to combine business and leisure travel to make the most of my trips?

Yes, many professionals engage in “bleisure” travel, combining business and leisure elements in a single trip. Extend your stay by a few days to explore the destination after your work commitments are fulfilled.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled during busy travel periods?

Stay informed by signing up for flight notifications, have a backup plan, and be patient. Airlines often rebook passengers on the next available flights.

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Busiest Travel Days 2023: Find Out When to Avoid

busiest travel day

Table of Contents

Introduction

The busiest travel day is a term that refers to the day with the best variety of tourists in a given week. It can be a hectic time, specifically around vacations and height tour seasons. The busiest days can range relying on the time of year, but some fashionable tendencies could help tourists plan their trips therefore.

According to transportation information, the first flight on Monday tends to be one of the worst days for the journey. This is due to the fact many humans are returning from weekend getaways or business journeys, causing airports and different transportation hubs to come to be crowded. However, the busiest travel day can also fluctuate relying on the day of the week, with some weekdays being busier than others.

Understanding the Significance of Busiest Travel Day

Why understanding the significance of busiest travel day makes sense for every traveler.

Planning an experience can be stressful, specifically while you are journeying through holidays or unique activities. Knowing the busiest travel day importance of the busiest travel day makes the experience for every traveler.

Avoiding Crowds and Long Lines

The busiest travel day is normally all through vacations or unique events while humans travel to go to their own family and buddies or attend celebrations. For instance, Thanksgiving Day is considered one of the busiest days in the United States as millions of Americans journey to spend time with their cherished ones. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are also busy days as people rush to get domestic before the vacations begin.

Reducing Stress Levels

Traveling can be traumatic even on everyday occasions. However, touring on the busiest travel day can extensively grow your stress tiers due to overcrowding and long wait times at protection checkpoints.

Knowing which day is the busiest can help you plan consequently by using arriving early at your departure point or reserving an in-advance flight. Along these lines, you’ll have sufficient opportunity to check in, go through security checks without speeding using them, and grab hold of a nibble to consume before getting onto your trip without distressing about missing it.

Taking Advantage of Promotions

Airlines, airports, lodges, and other organizations related to journeys put together for the busiest travel day by way of a growing body of workers, including flights or presenting promotions together with discounted airfares or hotel rooms. Understanding which day is the busiest travel day earlier gives travelers the possibility to take gain of those promotions, which can keep their cash and make their ride greater exciting.

Significant occasions adding to the Most active Travel Day

Sunday subsequent to thanksgiving: the single most active air terminal travel day.

The Sunday subsequent to Thanksgiving is alluded to as the single most active air terminal visit day of the year. Millions of people journey at some point during this time, making it a hectic and chaotic enjoyment for many. People are returning domestically from their excursion travels, and because of this that airports are full of vacationers looking to seize their flights back domestically. This day is infamous for long traces, crowded terminals, and not on-time flights.

Thanksgiving Day: A Busy Travel Day

Thanksgiving Day itself is likewise the most active travel day, as numerous people fly out promptly in the first part of the day to arrive at their areas in time for the excursion. While as of now not generally so occupied as the Sunday after Thanksgiving, air terminals see a far and wide blast in site guests on this day.

Assuming you’re visiting on Thanksgiving Day, it’s basic to hold as a top priority that numerous associations might be shut or working on decreased hours because of the getaway. This can make tracking down food or transportation more intense than typical.

Black Friday: Huge Crowds at Airports and Highways

Black Friday sees huge crowds at airports and on highways as human beings journey to take benefit of excursion shopping offers. Many people use this lengthy weekend surrounding Thanksgiving week as an opportunity to buy groceries or take a quick holiday.

If you’re making plans on traveling in the course of Black Friday weekend, it’s critical to be privy to increased traffic both at airports and on highways. Consider booking your flight early or using opportunity modes of transportation inclusive of trains or buses if feasible.

The Long Weekend Surrounding Thanksgiving Week: One of The Biggest Crowds

The lengthy weekend surrounding Thanksgiving week includes the fourth Thursday of November, making it one of the largest crowds and busiest travel days of the 12 months. High volumes of traffic may be predicted on Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

If you’re traveling during this time, it’s essential to plot in advance and book your hotels early. Many hotels and condo homes fill up fast at some stage in this time, so it’s great to stable your accommodations as soon as possible.

busiest travel day

Christmas and New Year’s Day: A global phenomenon

Christmas eve festivities.

On December 24th every 12 months, human beings around the sector have fun Christmas Eve with night festivities. In some cultures like Italy and Spain, households gather together for a massive banquet referred to as “La Vigilia” or “Nochebuena.” In other international locations like Germany and Sweden, humans mild candles on their windowsills to welcome Santa Claus or St. Lucia.

New Year’s Day Celebrations

New Year’s Day is well known on January 1st each yr following a weeklong party that starts on December thirty first. This day marks the beginning of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar utilized by maximum nations worldwide.

Pandemic’s Impact on Celebrations

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about considerable disruptions worldwide, which include the way people have fun vacations. Many human beings are deciding to have fun differently these 12 months because of safety issues. Some might also pick to delay their celebrations until spring ruin or a later day on the calendar.

Labor Day in the USA: A significant contributor to Busiest Travel Day

The significance of labor day in the usa.

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the primary Monday of September in the United States. It was created to honor the American hard work motion and the contributions that workers have made to our development, growth, and well-being of us of a. The vacation has emerged as synonymous with barbecues, parades, and a protracted weekend for plenty of Americans. However, it is also one of the busiest travel days within the US due to its proximity to the quiet of summer and the beginning of a new faculty for 12 months.

Business Travel Increases

In addition to enjoying tours during Labor Day weekend, enterprise travel also sees a boom as groups try to wrap up deals earlier than the cease of their economic yr. Many organizations use this long weekend as a possibility for group constructing physical activities or employer retreats seeing that maximum personnel have time off from painting on Monday. Top-notch submits to read about Béis Travel .

Best practices for navigating the Busiest Travel Day with ease

Good practice: plan early and book flights and accommodations in advance.

One of the first-class practices for navigating the busiest tour day quite simply is to begin planning early. This method reserves your flights and hotels well in advance. By doing so, you now not best steady your selected travel dates but also store cash on closing-minute bookings.

Strategize Schedules by Avoiding Peak Hours and Choosing Less Popular Travel Dates

As in the busiest travel day, how can we not talk about Sato Travel which is known for its simplifying travel guides , Another right exercise for navigating the busiest travel day is to strategize schedules by averting peak hours and selecting much less famous journey dates. According to NerdWallet, the average fee of flights for the duration of the busiest travel day is substantially better than on different days. Therefore, it makes experience to keep away from traveling throughout peak hours when demand is excessive.

Instead, take into account journeying all through off-peak hours or choosing less famous journey dates along with weekdays rather than weekends. This now not simplest allows you to store money but also reduces stress degrees related to crowded airports and lengthy strains.

Stay Informed About Flight Delays and Cancellations

Flight delays and cancellations are not unusual occurrences at some stage in the busiest travel day. Therefore, staying informed approximately those issues allow you to navigate them with ease. Make sure to enroll in airline indicators through e-mail or textual content messages so you acquire actual-time updates on any changes in flight schedules.

Check airport websites for records on security wait instances, parking availability, and different relevant info before heading out. This will help you propose your ride as a consequence and avoid any useless delays or frustrations.

Pack Smartly

Packing neatly also can make a massive difference whilst navigating the busiest travel day with no trouble. Make certain to p.C. Handiest the necessities and keep away from overpacking. This now not simplest saves you time at safety checkpoints but additionally reduces the hazard of misplaced or damaged luggage.

Make positive to p.C. A carry-on bag with all of your essential items which include medicines, travel files, and electronic devices. This guarantees that you have everything you need in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

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Tips for stress-free holiday travel on Busiest Travel Day

Reduce holiday travel stress by booking flights during off-peak hours.

One of the best ways to lessen holiday travel stress is to book flights during off-peak hours. This method wards off height travel instances, which include weekends and holidays, whilst airports are usually crowded and flights are extra expensive. Instead, don’t forget to reserve your flight for a mid-week departure or a red-eye flight. Not only will you keep away from the crowds, but you could additionally shop for money for your airfare.

Avoid Crowds by Arriving at the Airport Early and Using Alternative Transportation Methods

Crowds can be one of the biggest assets of stress. To avoid crowds at the airport, attempt to arrive early and use opportunity transportation techniques ( Nuna Travel system ). If you’re using yourself to the airport, keep in mind the usage of off-website parking centers that offer commute carriers to the terminal. This can save you time and problems as compared to trying to find a parking spot at the airport itself.

Save Money by Packing Light and Taking Advantage of Airline Rewards Programs

Traveling in the course of the vacation may be high-priced, but there are approaches to shopping for money without sacrificing consolation or comfort. One manner is via packing light and heading off checked luggage charges. Most airlines permit passengers one deliver-on bag and one private object, together with a handbag or laptop bag. By packing efficaciously and only bringing what you want, you can keep money on bag fees and keep away from the problem of expecting your luggage at luggage claim.

TSA Regulations Can Be Confusing, so Make Sure to Review Them Before Heading to the Airport

Finally, it’s vital to keep in mind that TSA regulations may be difficult, in particular in case you don’t journey regularly. To avoid any surprises at protection checkpoints, ensure to check TSA guidelines earlier than heading to the airport. This includes guidelines approximately drinks in convey-on luggage, prohibited objects like weapons or explosives, and screening processes for medical devices or other special wishes.

How Airlines and airports prepare for the Busiest Travel Day

Increasing staffing levels to handle big airport crowds.

Airports and airways are nicely aware of the demanding situations that come with the busiest travel day. One of the maximum big demanding situations is handling big airport crowds. To tackle this project, airports increase staffing stages to make sure that they could manage the influx of passengers.

Early Flights Scheduled to Accommodate Fewest Air Travelers

Another way airports put together the busiest travel day is by scheduling early flights to accommodate the fewest air vacationers. This strategy allows for lessening airport crowds all through top hours, making it less complicated for personnel to control passenger glide.

Analyzing Flight Data and Air Travel Patterns

Airports analyze flight records and air journey styles to count on congestion and adjust staffing consequently. This analysis helps them understand which flights are possibly to be behind schedule or canceled because of weather conditions or other elements.

Monitoring TSA Checkpoint Data

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint facts are carefully monitored using airports to discover capacity bottlenecks and reduce flight delays. By reading this information, airports can speedily discover areas wherein extra personnel can be wished for or wherein changes need to be made in security procedures.

Adding or Rescheduling Flights Based on the Demand

Flights are delivered or rescheduled based totally on demand, with home flight searches used to are expecting famous routes. This strategy guarantees that airways can meet calls for even as also reducing congestion at busy airports.

Working with Local Transportation Authorities

Finally, airports work intently with local transportation authorities to ensure good enough floor transportation alternatives for passengers flying in and out. This collaboration helps reduce traffic congestion around airports while also imparting passengers with convenient transportation alternatives. Gather more data about Travel Man Guide .

busiest travel day

What is the busiest journey day of the year for driving?

The busiest tour day of the 12 months for driving inside the United States is typically the day earlier than Thanksgiving, also called “Black Wednesday.” This day sees a tremendous boom in site visitors as people journey to be with their households for the holiday.

What is the high-quality journey day?

The great travel day relies upon the man or woman’s choice and tour plans. Generally, midweek days including Tuesday and Wednesday are much less busy and provide inexpensive flight tickets. However, it’s miles vital to test for any most important activities or holidays that could affect journey plans.

What are the busiest journey days at some point in the week?

The busiest tour days during the week are normally Friday and Sunday. Many humans journey on Friday to start their weekend, at the same time as Sunday is the favored day for returning domestically. Monday morning and Thursday afternoon also can be busy due to the enterprise tour.

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Jasper Bruxner is a passionate and versatile blogger with a keen eye for trends and a knack for crafting engaging content. As the founder of WendyWaldman.com , he has established himself as a trusted resource in a diverse range of niches, including food, tech, health, travel, business, lifestyle, and news. He tends to share the latest tech news, trends, and updates with the community built around Wendywaldman. His expertise and engaging writing style have attracted a loyal following, making him a respected voice in the online community.

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busiest travel week of the year

Tahoe braces for big winter storm, Ski Week and major event all in the same week

T he yearly exodus to Lake Tahoe for some Bay Area families is about to begin and hotels around the lake say they’re preparing for a particularly busy week as several factors such as weather and a World Cup event coalesce around the same time.

Every February, some Bay Area schools allow students to take the entire week off following President’s Day, which falls on Feb. 19 this year. Many people take off for the mountains on the Friday before the holiday, which is often the worst day to drive to Tahoe in February . 

This year’s mid-winter break — colloquially called “ski week” to the chagrin of those who don’t partake in the sport — occurs at an optimal time for visiting Tahoe. There’s typically a fresh load of snow and hotels in the region say they rely on the boost in bookings. 

“February is almost always the busiest winter month,” said Greg O'Malley, a director at Stardust Lodge & Americana Village in South Lake Tahoe. “With our low snowfall totals in the early part of the winter, we have not been as busy as usual. But the combination of Ski Week and a big winter storm on the way has increased demand greatly for the rest of the month.”

The Stardust Lodge , a 78-room hotel near Stateline, has already sold out reservations for the first weekend and O'Malley said that mid-week occupancy is “very high,” while the second weekend starting on Feb. 23 is starting to fill up. 

Basecamp Hotel, a 73-room hotel just down the street from the Stardust, is also reaching capacity. Cameron Bradberry, Basecamp's general manager, told SFGATE in an email that they see a “substantial increase in occupancy during Ski Week” every year, even though he said it can be unpredictable to manage a hotel in Tahoe when attracting customers depends on the weather. 

“This year is still a bit soft, but we're seeing steady pick up, especially with the big storm on the way,” Bradberry wrote. 

Prime weather and snowfall aren’t the only reasons why the upcoming mid-winter break is shaping up to be a popular week in Lake Tahoe. On top of all the Bay Area folks coming to the mountains, the Men's Audi FIS Ski World Cup starts on Feb. 23.

“This year Ski & Skate Week coincides with the Stifel Palisades Tahoe World Cup which means that North Lake Tahoe will be busy from the weekend before Presidents Day and right through until the World Cup ends,” said DJ Ewan, a director at Granlibakken Tahoe, a 190-room resort outside Tahoe City.

Palisades not only has a rich history of hosting the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, but the resort was also the setting for the women’s 2017 Alpine Skiing World Cup . Palisades hosted the event last year and the upcoming World Cup features downhill “slalom” skiing on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26. 

Ewan added that February is usually busy since “for some families, it signifies the last optimal time to come up to Tahoe to ski and snowboard.”

Elsewhere, on the other side of the lake, the Incline Lodge is starting to reach capacity but rooms are still available for the best days to ski or snowboard. 

Andrew Gauthier, the lodge’s general manager, said that the 38-room boutique hotel near the base of Diamond Peak in Nevada is almost booked up for the weekends, but availability exists mid-week — a time when he said the region is at its best. 

“That’s Tahoe as it should be,” Gauthier said on the phone, about weekdays. “It’s fewer crowds.”

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2 of the top 10 must-see travel experiences in the world are in the U.S., Google data says

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Luxury travel company Kuoni recently released its list of the world's top must-see travel experiences.

To rank the experiences, Kuoni looked for events that occur no more than twice a year and had the most Google searches.

In the top 10 must-see travel experiences based on Google searches, only two are in the U.S., with two more U.S. experiences being a part of the top 20.

No.1 must-see travel experience: Manhattanhenge

New York City's Manhattanhenge is the most searched-for travel experience — the NYC event had over 1.3 million annual Google searches.

The rare event occurs when the Sun appears between the city's grid as it's low in the sky and setting, according to the American Museum of Natural History . The "Manhattanhenge Effect" will occur between May 29 and July 13 this year.

According to the museum, some of the best places to view the Manhattanhenge are from Manhattan's east/west thoroughfares and to get the best view, it recommends finding a spot as far east as possible.

The best streets to see the Manhattanhenge include 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, and 57th Street.

Top 10 must-see travel experiences in the world

  • Manhattanhenge, New York City
  • Venice Carnival, Italy
  • Rio Carnival, Brazil
  • Day of the Dead, Mexico
  • Chelsea Flower Show, U.K.
  • Golden Week, Japan
  • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, USA
  • Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland
  • Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
  • Obon Festival, Japan

The No. 2 must-see travel experience in the world is the Venice Carnival in Italy, with over 1.2 million annual searches.

The Venice Carnival takes place every year just before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday — this year the the carnival took place from January 27-February 13.

The annual event is known worldwide for its captivating masquerade masks and costumes.

The carnival began in the 1100s and lasted for several centuries before it was outlawed in the 1700s. Eventually, in 1979, the Italian government brought back the festivities, according to Venice Events .

In 2025, the carnival is set to take place from February 22 to March 4.

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How this millennial making $80,000 in Italy and the U.S. spends her money

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  1. Busiest travel week of the year at Hancock

    busiest travel week of the year

  2. What travelers can expect during the busiest travel week of the year

    busiest travel week of the year

  3. The busiest air travel days of the year & keeping it real this week

    busiest travel week of the year

  4. Today will be the busiest travel day of the year

    busiest travel week of the year

  5. Airlines to handle busiest travel week of the year

    busiest travel week of the year

  6. Busiest travel days of the year: What you need to know

    busiest travel week of the year

COMMENTS

  1. The Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

    July 30: 2.793 million passengers. July 28: 2.785 million passengers. July 23: 2.789 million passengers. June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States) June 16: 2.785 million passengers. For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

  2. Busiest Days to Fly During the Winter Holidays

    This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and — especially during Christmas week — many holiday ...

  3. These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

    Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data: Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday) Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday) Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day) This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy ...

  4. These are the best and worst air travel days around ...

    Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn't necessarily hold true.

  5. Best & Worst Days of the Week to Fly

    Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for Christmas & New Year's 2023; Best & Worst Times to Fly; Best Days & Times to Book Flights; ... That frees up a lot of seats for travel during the middle of the week. ... Since demand controls flight prices, the busiest times are also the most expensive times. If possible, opt for a very early morning flight ...

  6. These Will Be the Busiest Travel Days of the 2021 Holiday Season

    But as of September 9, 2021, this year is looking different. Priceline reports that the busiest travel day for the Thanksgiving holiday is Monday, November 15, while the Wednesday before ...

  7. Flying For Christmas? Here Are the Best Days

    Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, checkpoint data from the Transportation Security Administration shows. And just ahead of Christmas 2023, travelers may face one of the ...

  8. These Are the Busiest Holiday Travel Days This Year, TSA Says

    During its busiest days this season, the agency expects to screen more than 2.5 million passengers each day, a 6 percent increase compared to last year. The TSA said the most crowded days at ...

  9. Traveling for Thanksgiving? These are the busiest days to fly during

    Assuming past trends continue in 2022, expect Sunday, Nov. 27, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 23. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 26, will also likely be busy. And this year, crowds will likely be bigger than they were over the past couple of years.

  10. Hopper data shows the busiest days and times for holiday flying

    According to data from the online booking platform Hopper, about 54 million people are expected to catch flights between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3. The data also shows that Thursday and Friday this week ...

  11. Holiday travel rush: When TSA expects the busiest days

    The busiest days on the road will be Saturday and next Thursday, Dec. 28, according to transportation data provider INRIX. The Transportation Security Administration expects that the busiest days for air travel will be Thursday, Friday and New Year's Day. TSA expects to screen more than 2.5 million travelers each of those days — that's ...

  12. A 'Peak' At The Busiest & Quietest Days In The Week To Fly

    The best time. As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. If you can't fly on one of the quieter days, then getting up early is your best option. If the flight leaves before 8 AM, meaning you have to arrive around 6 AM, you should be in for a quiet time. This is because fewer people bother (or at least prefer) to travel that early.

  13. Busiest Days to Fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's

    November 26th (Sunday after Thanksgiving) — Another predictably busy day at the airport, as AirHelp found this to be the busiest day of the Thanksgiving travel season. November 30th — Another surprise for those who took a full week for Thanksgiving to avoid the masses. It's not slammed like other November dates, but saw a significant ...

  14. This Year's Top Spring Break Travel Trends

    The first week of March and the last week of April are more affordable and less-busy spring travel periods. Eric Ward/Unsplash Spring travel is cheaper this year

  15. The busiest days to fly during the winter holidays

    Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, and Tuesdays are the least busy. ... Friday, you'll recall, is typically the busiest travel day in any given week. Dec. 23 is not an ...

  16. Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays

    Friday, December 22. Wednesday, December 27. Saturday, December 23. The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can. Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight.

  17. Busiest travel days of the year: Rush may be more spread out

    The busiest travel days during Thanksgiving week are usually Tuesday, Wednesday and the Sunday after the holiday. This year, the Federal Aviation Administration expects Tuesday to be the busiest ...

  18. These Are The Busiest Days to Fly During the Winter Holidays

    Most weeks of the year, Fridays are the busiest days to fly, and Tuesdays are the least busy. But during the holidays, that trend doesn't necessarily hold true.. In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is actually the busiest travel day for U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the numbers of passengers screened daily.

  19. The Busiest Travel Days Around Thanksgiving

    In 2019, 2021 and 2022, it was the busiest single day of the entire year in terms of U.S. passengers, based on TSA passenger data. (The post-Thanksgiving Sunday wasn't the busiest day of the year ...

  20. What are the Busiest Dates for Winter Travel?

    The Busiest Travel Dates for Winter. Consider avoiding travel on these busy dates if you can help it: November 28 - The weekend after Thanksgiving marks the time when people are just finishing up Black Friday shopping and have a couple of days off of work to fly. December 1 - The first day of December is a popular air travel date for those ...

  21. What Is the Busiest Time for Air Travel?

    Which days are the busiest tends to depend on what days of the week the holidays fall during any given year. The Day Before Thanksgiving. When it comes to the single busiest travel day of the year, Orbitz still crowned Thanksgiving Eve number one. The Department of Transportation found that Thanksgiving day is the busiest long-distance travel ...

  22. Avoid flying during the busiest weeks of the year

    Hotwire 's travel expert, Clem Bason, reports that travel around the December holidays is 30 percent busier than during average weeks, and Thanksgiving is 25 percent busier. Following holidays ...

  23. The Busiest Travel Days of the Year: What You Need to Know

    The busiest travel day of the week can vary depending on the type of travel and region. Here's some information about the busiest travel days of the week for different scenarios: Weekend Getaways: For leisure travelers looking to take short weekend getaways, Fridays and Sundays tend to be the busiest travel days of the week.

  24. Busiest Travel Days 2023: Find Out When To Avoid

    The lengthy weekend surrounding Thanksgiving week includes the fourth Thursday of November, making it one of the largest crowds and busiest travel days of the 12 months. High volumes of traffic may be predicted on Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

  25. Media availability

    TORONTO, March 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Media are invited to Toronto Pearson ahead of March Break, one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Up to 140,000 people are expected to pass through the airport per day during the peak of March Break. During the busiest points of the week, nearly 1,000 flights will take off and land per day at the airport.

  26. Tahoe braces for big winter storm, Ski Week and major event all in the

    "This year Ski & Skate Week coincides with the Stifel Palisades Tahoe World Cup which means that North Lake Tahoe will be busy from the weekend before Presidents Day and right through until the ...

  27. Top 10 must-see travel experiences in the world

    Luxury travel company Kuoni recently released its list of the world's top must-see travel experiences. To rank the experiences, Kuoni looked for events that occur no more than twice a year and had ...