The holidays are calling, and travelers are answering with passports in hand.
According to our latest study, nearly 90% of insured travelers are heading abroad for Christmas and New Year’s this season.
So where are travelers splurging, saving, and setting off to? Here’s what our data shows.
The holiday destinations where travelers are spending the most
Many of the highest-priced trips this holiday season involve long travel times, remote destinations, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
These are the top 10 most expensive destinations, based on average trip cost per traveler:
- Antarctica: $15,050
- Kenya: $14,117
- Tanzania: $13,828
- French Polynesia: $13,565
- Fiji: $12,479
- South Africa: $11,676
- Chile: $10,246
- New Zealand: $10,172
- Argentina: $9,456
- Singapore: $9,334
Trips to Antarctica and across Africa lead the list, reflecting the higher costs tied to expedition-style itineraries, guided travel, safaris, and premium holiday-season pricing.
The most popular holiday destinations
While the luxury list is fun to look at, it doesn’t actually reflect where most travelers are going. When it comes to volume, Americans are leaning into a familiar mix of beach destinations, cultural hubs, and domestic travel.
The most popular destinations this holiday season by number of travelers are:
- Mexico
- The Bahamas
- Argentina
- France
- Costa Rica
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Japan
- USA (domestic travel)
- Dominican Republic
Warm-weather favorites like Mexico and the Bahamas top the list, while France, Italy, and Japan continue to draw travelers looking for holiday celebrations abroad.
The most affordable places to travel for the holidays
Not every holiday getaway requires a luxury price tag. For those looking to save, there are plenty of destinations with average trip costs between $2,460 and $3,122 per traveler.
The destinations this holiday season that cost the least are:
- Honduras
- The Bahamas
- Belize
- Sint Maarten
- Israel
- Dominican Republic
- Mexico
- Czech Republic
- Jamaica
Travelers looking for sun and sand will find strong value across the Caribbean and Central America, while those craving festive European cities can still find relative affordability in parts of the Czech Republic.
How much are travelers spending overall?
Across all destinations, holiday travelers are spending an average of $4,744 per traveler this season.
That number reflects everything from bucket list voyages to budget-friendly beach breaks. And as trip investments rise, travelers are also putting more thought into how they protect them.
The coverage travelers want most this season
This holiday season, the most popular supplemental coverage to our base plans is the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on.
CFAR allows travelers to cancel their trip for almost any reason and receive reimbursement for up to 75% of non-refundable trip costs, as long as coverage is purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit, and the trip is cancelled at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure
With winter storms, airline disruptions, and unpredictable schedules in the mix, it’s no surprise that flexibility is top of mind for holiday travelers.
With Faye, travelers can explore with confidence, knowing they have smart protection, 24/7 support, and a team of travel experts looking out for them every step of the way.
