Christmas Travel Patterns: Where People Actually Go for the Holidays
We analyzed three years of completed holiday bookings to understand where travelers really go for Christmas. The patterns reveal something surprising.
The Christmas Travel Split
We looked at our own completed bookings across three consecutive holiday seasons. The sample is substantial. The patterns are clear.
Christmas travelers fall into two camps. International escapers who cross borders to find something different. And domestic travelers who stay within their own country but still chase a holiday experience.
The split? Roughly even. Just slightly more international than domestic. And this balance holds consistent across years.
What matters more than the split itself is understanding why these patterns exist and where they lead people.
Three Types of Destinations
Not all Christmas destinations work the same way. Our data reveals three distinct types. Each serves a different need. Each attracts a different traveler.
Type 1: International Escape Destinations
These cities draw most of their Christmas visitors from abroad. Over 80% foreign travelers. People aren't just visiting. They're deliberately choosing somewhere radically different.
New Zealand leads consistently: Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch all pull overwhelming majorities from overseas. These aren't accidental stops. They're intentional summer Christmas escapes.
European cultural hubs follow: Brussels, Geneva, London, and cities across Portugal attract international visitors seeking traditional European Christmas markets and culture.
Spanish islands surprise: Puerto del Rosario and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands register 100% international visitors. These are pure winter escape destinations.
The pattern is clear. Northern Hemisphere residents fleeing winter. They want summer beaches, endless daylight, and outdoor adventures. Or they want European charm, Christmas markets, and cultural immersion. Either way, they want something nothing like home.
Type 2: Domestic Getaway Destinations
These cities serve primarily local travelers. Less than 40% come from abroad. This isn't about discovering new countries. It's about finding the right spot within your own.
Australian coastal escapes: Hobart, Launceston, and Melbourne attract overwhelmingly domestic travelers. Australians escaping to Tasmania's beaches or Victoria's coast for summer Christmas. They know what they're getting. They just want the beach version.
American holiday hubs: Orlando, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles all skew heavily domestic. Americans visiting entertainment capitals, theme parks, or warm-weather cities without leaving the country.
The pattern reveals something interesting. Domestic travelers still escape. They still chase summer or entertainment or family gathering spots. They just don't need a passport to do it. Same instinct, different execution.
Type 3: Mixed Appeal Destinations
These cities land in the middle. Between 40% and 80% international. They work for both markets.
The cultural capitals: Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, and Istanbul all attract healthy mixes of international tourists and domestic travelers. These cities have enough depth to serve multiple audiences.
Theme park destinations: Orlando appears in both categories because it splits between domestic Americans and international families. The parks transcend borders.
These destinations need to serve two distinct audiences. International visitors discovering the city. Domestic travelers revisiting familiar territory with fresh eyes.
Where the Volume Actually Goes
When you look at where the most travelers head, clear winners emerge.
Tenerife dominates. The Spanish island consistently ranks as a top Christmas destination across all three years. The combination of guaranteed sunshine, beach access, and affordable pricing creates powerful appeal.
Auckland follows. New Zealand's largest city captures substantial international traffic. December means peak summer. Beaches, hiking, adventure activities, and the massive New Year's Eve celebration all pull travelers south.
American cities cluster. Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and a dozen other US destinations create significant volume. But it's almost entirely domestic. Americans traveling within America.
Australian cities surprise. Hobart pulls substantial numbers. Almost all domestic. Australians visiting Tasmania for beach Christmas. It's a pattern that repeats across Melbourne and other coastal cities.
The volume leaders reveal the market reality. International escapes grab headlines. But domestic getaways drive consistent traffic.
The Geographic Story
Christmas travel concentrates in specific countries. Each one serves a distinct purpose.
United States: The Domestic Giant
American cities dominate total volume. But it's overwhelmingly domestic traffic. Over 80% of US Christmas travel comes from Americans visiting other American cities.
The pattern makes sense. The US is vast. Climate varies dramatically. An American in snowy Chicago can find warm beaches in Florida or entertainment in Las Vegas without leaving the country.
Spain: The International Magnet
Spanish destinations rank second overall. But with opposite demographics. Nearly 70% international travelers. People from across Europe and beyond seeking Spanish sun, island beaches, and cultural cities.
Tenerife, the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Madrid all pull international visitors. Spain offers what Northern Europe lacks in December: warmth and light.
New Zealand and Australia: The Split Story
This is where it gets interesting. Both countries offer summer Christmas. Both attract substantial traffic. But they serve completely different markets.
New Zealand draws international: Over 90% of Christmas visitors come from abroad. Northern Hemisphere residents fleeing winter for summer adventures. Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch are international escape destinations.
Australia draws domestic: Only 20% international. Australian cities serve Australians. Coastal escapes within their own country. Hobart, Melbourne, and other beach cities attract locals seeking summer Christmas without international travel.
Same hemisphere. Same season. Completely different travel patterns.
How Long People Actually Stay
Christmas trips aren't quick escapes. The average rental duration hovers around 6-7 days. Nearly a full week.
That makes sense. You don't disrupt Christmas and fly across the world for a long weekend. You commit.
The longest stays cluster in specific cities:
- Rome consistently tops duration charts. Over 10 days average. The combination of affordability, endless culture, and world-class food keeps people lingering.
- Spanish islands follow. Puerto del Rosario and Las Palmas both see extended stays. When you escape winter for beach sunshine, you stretch it.
- Turkish destinations surprise. Istanbul and Antalya both register solid week-plus averages.
The shortest stays reveal price pressure:
- Paris, London, and Geneva all clock shorter averages. Expensive cities stretch budgets thin.
- American cities like Las Vegas and Chicago trend shorter. Quick holiday visits rather than extended escapes.
Duration tells you a lot about value perception. Long stays signal affordability and satisfaction. Short stays suggest either high costs or concentrated attractions.
The Price Reality
Christmas travel costs more than normal periods. Holiday surcharges kick in. Demand spikes. Prices follow.
But the range is dramatic. Budget options exist alongside premium destinations.
Budget champions deliver value: Spanish islands, Turkish cities, and select Italian destinations all offer daily rates well below the holiday average. You can have warm-weather Christmas without premium pricing.
Premium destinations command top dollar: Swiss cities, Australian coastal destinations, and New Zealand hubs all cost significantly more. Southern Hemisphere summer comes with summer prices.
American cities land in the middle: Neither bargain nor luxury, most US destinations price moderately. The domestic convenience justifies the cost.
The pricing patterns reflect supply and demand basics. Limited inventory in high-demand summer destinations drives prices up. Abundant options in European cities keep costs reasonable.
For travelers, this means strategic thinking. Budget Christmas escapes exist. But you need to know where to look.
What Planning Actually Requires
Christmas travel demands advance planning. Our data shows most bookings happen 6-8 weeks before departure. Some destinations require even more lead time.
The super planners: Popular summer destinations like Auckland, Tenerife, and Canary Islands need the most advance booking. Two months ahead isn't unusual. Inventory is limited. Demand is high.
The flexible options: European cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Milan offer more last-minute flexibility. Three to four weeks out still finds options.
Planning ahead helps. But if you're reading this mid-December and thinking about last-minute travel, don't despair. While the data shows most travelers book 6-8 weeks ahead, availability still exists closer to the holidays. European destinations especially maintain options for flexible travelers. Search engines like ours aggregate inventory across multiple suppliers, which means you might find great options even with shorter notice. It's worth checking.
When People Actually Travel
Christmas travel doesn't cluster around December 25th the way you might expect. Departures spread across the entire window from December 20th through early January.
About a quarter leave before Christmas Eve. Another quarter depart on Christmas Days themselves. Nearly 30% start between Christmas and New Year. And roughly 20% begin in the New Year period.
This even distribution matters. There's no single "Christmas travel day" that overwhelms airports and rentals. The window is wide. The pressure spreads. Flexibility exists.
The Consistency Across Years
Three years of data reveals something important. These patterns hold.
The international versus domestic split stays roughly even. The destination types remain consistent. The same cities dominate year after year. The price and duration patterns repeat.
This isn't random variation. These are established travel behaviors. Stable market dynamics. Predictable patterns.
That consistency has value. It means the insights translate. What works this Christmas will likely work next Christmas. The planning guidelines apply. The destination recommendations hold.
What This Data Really Reveals
Christmas travel tells us something wonderful about modern holiday culture. People are finding new ways to celebrate the season that work for them.
For about half of travelers, Christmas means adventure somewhere completely different. Not a rejection of tradition, but an expansion of what Christmas can be. Summer barbecues on Auckland beaches. Christmas markets in Brussels. Island sunshine in the Canaries. These are still Christmas celebrations. Just different expressions of the holiday spirit.
The International Escape Pattern
These travelers are reimagining Christmas. Christmas in Auckland with beach picnics and outdoor adventures is no less festive than Christmas in snowy villages. It's just different. They're seeking new traditions while still marking the special day.
They flee winter for summer. Or they seek European charm. Or they find island beaches. The specifics vary. But they're all celebrating Christmas. Just on their own terms, in places that excite them.
The Domestic Getaway Pattern
These travelers also want something special for the holidays. They choose destinations within their own country that offer the right atmosphere. Australians visiting Tasmania for beach Christmas. Americans gathering in Vegas or Orlando. It's still about marking the holiday. Just with a change of scenery.
The domestic option offers advantages. No jet lag. No currency exchange. No language barriers. Just a different location with the right vibe for how you want to spend the holidays.
The Mixed Appeal Reality
Some destinations serve both groups beautifully. Cultural capitals work for international tourists discovering and domestic travelers revisiting. Theme parks create holiday magic for families regardless of where they're from. These places prove Christmas spirit transcends geography.
The Planning Timeline for Next Year
If you're thinking about Christmas 2026, you're in good shape. Our data shows that while many travelers book 6-8 weeks in advance, there's no single magic window. Some book months ahead. Others find great options weeks before departure.
What the patterns suggest:
- Summer destinations like Auckland and Tenerife tend to book earlier. Starting your search in October gives you the widest selection.
- European cities offer more flexibility throughout. November or even early December booking often works.
- Budget options require some research, but they exist across the timeline.
- Full week stays offer better value and justify the holiday disruption.
- Consider timing flexibility. Starting December 20-23 or December 27-31 instead of Christmas Day itself offers more options.
The key insight? Yes, early booking helps with popular destinations. But if you're spontaneous or plans change, good options still exist. That's especially true when searching aggregated inventory across multiple suppliers. Don't let the "book early" advice discourage last-minute Christmas travel. The data shows people travel throughout the booking window, and availability exists for flexible searchers.
The Bigger Picture
Christmas travel patterns reveal how people are expanding holiday traditions rather than abandoning them. An increasing number choose experience alongside expectation. Adventure doesn't replace tradition. It complements it.
Whether that adventure crosses borders or stays domestic matters less than the core impulse. People want holidays that feel right for them. They want to define their Christmas experience while still celebrating the season's spirit.
The world is vast. Summer exists somewhere when winter dominates at home. And Christmas is what you make it. A beach barbecue can be just as festive as a snowy fireplace. The holiday spirit travels with you.
Whether you're celebrating traditionally at home, escaping to Auckland's summer beaches, exploring European Christmas markets, or finding your own perfect holiday spot, we hope your Christmas is exactly what you want it to be.
See you on the road in 2026.
About This Analysis
This analysis draws from three consecutive holiday seasons of completed car rental bookings. The data spans December 20 through January 5 across 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026.
We measured destination cities and countries, rental duration, booking lead times, pricing, and customer origin to distinguish international from domestic travel. The sample includes destinations with substantial booking volumes to ensure statistical reliability.
All prices are converted to USD. The patterns revealed here represent actual travel behavior from our platform, not surveys or projections.
Analysis by Süleyman Özcan, Carla Growth Team, travel enthusiast | December 2025
Based on three years of completed holiday bookings
