Thanksgiving Trips - Get a Travel Bargain

Finding a
Thanksgiving Trip travel deal on a limited budget can be a big challenge. Millions of US travelers want to get away for the same few days in November. But there are three main ways you can win in the search for an affordable budget break. First: if you fly, book off-peak days or times. Second: go to a resort that is less busy at Thanksgiving. Third: travel to Europe.

Off-peak flights
Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest times to fly during the year; finding any seat, let alone an affordable one, can be difficult on the peak travel days: the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 22), and the Sunday after (November 26). If you have the flexibility, you are more likely to find cheaper flights and have a less hectic airport experience if you can depart on the days before or after peak dates, or even on the holiday itself.

To demonstrate how much you can save by avoiding the peak travel dates, we priced peak and off-peak flight dates for Thanksgiving travel on two routes. For peak travel dates we tested flights that depart November 22 and return November 26; for off-peak travel we tested flights that depart November 21 and return on November 27. Prices include taxes and fees.
Route Peak Off-peak savings
Los Angeles to Chicago $401 $341 $60
New York to Memphis $429 $307 $122

Whatever day you fly, you should book Thanksgiving flights sooner rather than later. There's very little chance you'll find last-minute deals.

Stay at a resort in an off-peak destination
Because Thanksgiving occurs during the fall, an off-peak season for many popular US destinations, it isn't hard to find discounted rates and special packages for Thanksgiving stays at upscale hotel and resorts that might normally be out of your price range. Seaside resorts in particular are good place to look for deals. To attract guests, many resorts offer special holiday activities and lavish Thanksgiving feasts in addition to affordable rates. Here's a sampling of some of the deals we found:

* The classic New England resort Ocean Edge in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has a three-night "Thanksgiving Package" for two adults and two kids that includes accommodations, breakfast each day at the Ocean Grill, Thanksgiving dinner, and kids' activities throughout the weekend. Rates start at $555 ($185 per night for three nights). In contrast, we found room-only rates for peak summer stays starting at $367 per night.
* The luxurious Hotel del Coronado is offering a "Holiday Escape Package" for stays over Thanksgiving week that includes accommodations, a $20 daily dining or shopping credit, and a holiday ornament. Prices start at $209 per night, a good price considering that published rates in July start at $355 per night. During your stay, you can partake in a holiday buffet dinner at one of three venues and skate at an outdoor rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean for an extra charge. Other activities include holiday craft-making, kids' camp, and Victorian Tea.
* At the Amelia Island Plantation located off the northeast coast of Florida, holiday rates start at $170 per night. You can join in a Thanksgiving Day feast for an extra charge and participate in free holiday games and activities throughout the weekend.

Go to Europe
November is the beginning of the low season in much of Europe, and because Europeans don't celebrate Thanksgiving, you can take advantage of discount airfare and packages. Prices for goods and services in Europe are high all-around and airport taxes and fees are expensive, so don't expect a Thanksgiving trip there to be a total bargain. However, if you want to visit a European city like London or Paris, you may pay less for travel over Thanksgiving week than if you wait until spring or summer.

Planning an affordable Thanksgiving Trip will be good practice for finding your Christmas and New Year's travel deals. Keep an eye on the Budget Travel Tips Homepage where we will post the latest deals for December holiday trips.