Peak Travel Days During Winter Holidays Season
Article Title: Travel Trends for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2023 and 2025
In the upcoming holiday seasons, travellers are advised to plan their journeys carefully to avoid crowds and save money. Here's a breakdown of the busiest travel days for Thanksgiving 2023 and Christmas 2023 and 2025, based on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint data.
Thanksgiving 2023:
The Sunday after Thanksgiving, falling on November 26, is predicted to be the busiest travel day. While exact TSA data for Thanksgiving Day travel has not been detailed yet, historically, the Sunday after Thanksgiving has the highest passenger volume in US airports. Interestingly, in 2022, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Christmas 2023:
According to TSA checkpoint trends, the busiest Christmas travel days, ranked by average travelers, are as follows:
- December 27, Wednesday (highest travel volume post-Christmas)
- December 30, Saturday
- December 20, Wednesday (pre-holiday peak)
- December 26, Tuesday (day after Christmas)
- December 23, Saturday (just before Christmas Eve)
- December 22, Friday
- December 19, Tuesday
- December 21, Thursday (Christmas Eve in 2023)
- December 29, Friday
- December 28, Thursday
- December 18, Monday
- January 1, Monday (New Year’s Day)
- December 31, Sunday (New Year’s Eve)
- December 24, Sunday (Christmas Eve)
- December 25, Monday (Christmas Day, relatively low travel)
Notably, the highest travel days are clustered around the days immediately before and after Christmas, with December 27, 2023, projected as the busiest Christmas travel day.
Christmas 2025:
Preliminary data suggests that airfares for Christmas trips in 2025 are averaging $400, down 12% from last year but still 29% higher than in 2019. If you're planning a Christmas trip in 2025, departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday is recommended to avoid the busiest travel days.
Thanksgiving 2025:
Assuming past trends continue in 2025, expect Sunday, Nov. 30, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving. To save money, consider flying on the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week.
For a smoother travel experience, booking morning flights can help reduce the odds of a flight delay. And if you're looking for a travel credit card, options such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card might be worth considering.
Lastly, if you don't mind celebrating unconventionally, consider shifting the celebration by a few days or weeks to avoid peak travel times. Just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. By planning ahead and being flexible, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season and make the most of your travel experiences.
[1] Source: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint data (2019-2022)
- To manage finances during the holiday season, utilizing a travel credit app such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card could help save on travel expenses.
- For those planning a holiday trip in 2025, it's advisable to consider flying on the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday to avoid busy travel days and potentially lower airfares.
- By analyzing weather predictions, travellers can plan their journeys to accommodate for inclement weather and enjoy a smoother travel experience, particularly during busy travel days around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
