With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, contracts for domestic flights are almost gone. However, the holiday week, when many Americans are staying at home or traveling by plane within the United States, is a great opportunity to travel internationally at an affordable price, even if it's on a last-minute flight.
“November means shoulder season in most parts of the world,” said Katie Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for Going, a travel app that monitors airline transactions. She says November is “one of the best times to visit destinations on your bucket list. Not only because of their affordability, but also because many of these popular cities can be seen at their peak. It is also a great way to avoid getting caught up in the overtourism problem.
The average price for a round-trip ticket from the U.S. to Europe for Thanksgiving is currently $605, and the average price for a round-trip ticket to Asia is $1,055, according to booking platform Hopper. (Hopper defines Thanksgiving travel days as starting on the Sunday before the holiday and ending on Thanksgiving Day.) These amounts are well below the prices seen during the peak travel season this summer. There is. At the time, airfare averaged $875 round-trip from the U.S. to Europe. Hopper said flights to Asia cost an average of $1,451.
Domestic airfares for Thanksgiving averaged $273 round trip, a 10% increase from 2023, Hopper said. And prices are steadily rising.
Let's go abroad: Last-minute sales to choose from
Here are some round-trip discounts advertised on Going and Hopper. Some offer deep discounts of half off the regular price.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Experts always recommend the following tips when searching for flights:
Check multiple websites and compare prices
Kayak's app includes an AI-based tool called PriceCheck that does this automatically. You can also track your flights and prices on Expedia, Skyscanner, and many other travel websites and booking platforms. Hopper's app has a price prediction tool that advises users on the best time to book a flight.
Apps like Going and Thrifty Traveler offer paid subscriptions that send you alerts of flights available in the short term.
Flexible dates, airports, airlines, and connections
Nastro advised traveling to a major international airport in Europe and considering transferring to a low-cost airline once you arrive. “With an extensive network of low-cost airlines across Europe, you can travel across the region cheaper than looking for direct flights or single itineraries,” she said.
Book now
What is here today may not be available tomorrow. Prices do not fluctuate, deals are limited, and prices increase as your travel date approaches.
