According to our new data, this coming holiday season, 97% of insured travelers are heading abroad. They’re going farther, spending significantly more compared to last year, and overwhelmingly choosing European destinations.
Here’s what holiday travel is looking like this year.
Popular international destinations
97% of insured travelers are heading overseas for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Last year, the most popular destinations included Mexico, the UK, Japan, Italy, and Vietnam. This year, Europe dominates the list.
The 10 most popular holiday destinations for 2026 are:
- Germany
- France
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Austria
- Hungary
- The Bahamas
- Thailand
- Antarctica
- The Dominican Republic
Go big or go home – holiday travel spending has doubled
Travelers are spending an average of $4,898 per person* on their holiday trips this year. That’s up from $3,256 in 2025 – a 50.4% increase.
While travel prices have risen across the board, the increase may also reflect travelers choosing one memorable holiday getaway where they splurge, instead of spending their budget across multiple smaller trips throughout the year.
Several other factors may be contributing to higher costs, including:
- Higher airfare driven by elevated fuel prices
- Increased hotel and tourism costs in many international destinations
- More travelers booking long-haul international itineraries
- Ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting airline routes in some regions
The most expensive holiday destinations of 2026
Based on average trip cost per traveler, Antarctica tops this year’s list by a wide margin, with travelers spending an average of $15,950 per person when heading there. After that, the remaining destinations cluster between roughly $2,500 and $5,800 per traveler.
Here’s where travelers are spending the most this holiday season:
- Antarctica: $15,950
- Austria: $5,780
- Hungary: $5,677
- Germany: $5,637
- France: $5,309
- The Netherlands: $5,042
- Switzerland: $4,998
- Thailand: $4,251
- The Bahamas: $2,494
With travelers spending an average of $4,898* per person, it’s clear many are investing in bucket list experiences and more significant international trips during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
*This number reflects the average trip cost excluding the trip cost for Antarctica, as it’s an outlier.
Travelers are protecting bigger investments
As holiday trips become more expensive, travelers are also adding more flexibility to their travel protection. For the second year in a row, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is the most popular travel insurance add-on among Faye policyholders. Unlike standard trip cancellation coverage, CFAR allows travelers to cancel their trip for any reason, even if they decide they just don’t want to go.
While CFAR can increase a policy’s cost by roughly 40-60%, eligible travelers can receive reimbursement for up to 75% of their nonrefundable trip costs when they cancel at least 48 hours before departure.
When the average holiday trip costs more than $6,500 per traveler, it’s easy to see why flexibility remains a top priority.
Bigger trips deserve smarter protection
Holiday travel in 2026 is bigger, farther, and more expensive than it was just one year ago. Whether travelers are headed to Christmas markets across Europe, relaxing on a Caribbean beach, or checking Antarctica off their bucket list, one thing is clear: they’re investing more than ever in holiday getaways.
With so much on the line, protecting that investment matters. From unexpected cancellations to travel delays and lost baggage, Faye helps travelers navigate the unexpected so they can make the most out of their holiday adventures.
