Travelers have a dozen reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving. In particular, those who opt to fly on turkey day not only reap the rewards of shorter TSA lines but also get great value on a Thanksgiving getaway.
We’ve crunched the numbers and found that airfares for a Thanksgiving weekend vacation are down significantly over last year to a number of popular domestic and international destinations. Those looking to fly out out on Thursday, Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Day – and return on Monday, Nov. 28, are finding double-digit savings over airfares from last year to many top spots.
Whether you book a big city trip to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends or family or, with that turkey dinner barely digested, jet off for a last minute romantic European or island vacay with a loved one, check out Cheapflights.com’s picks for deal destinations for a Thanksgiving getaway with all the fixings in 2016. You’ll be thankful for the bargain bon voyage (and memories that last longer than a Black Friday sale).
London, England (down 26% vs. last year)
Image: Pablo Cabezos, London via Flickr CC BY 2.0
It’s still possible to enjoy pumpkin pie across the pond in London – many pubs, hotels and restaurants get into the spirit. Plus, there is much to see and do in late November to help you burn off your Thanksgiving feast. Mild temperatures make it comfortable to admire the shops and sights that are adorned with Christmas lights and decorations along Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Kew Gardens. Glide and twirl on the ice rink at Hyde Park and get a jump start on holiday shopping at Christmas markets in Leicester Square and the Tate Modern during your five-day stay. As a bonus, keep in mind your dollar will go further in London than it has in years, adding an automatic discount to all your shopping, dining and sightseeing
Montego Bay, Jamaica (down 22% vs. last year)
Image: Jim Larrison, Hilton Hotel – Montego Bay via Flickr CC BY 2.0
Escape dropping temps and head for sun and fun at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. Swap turkey for jerk chicken at the sprawling Croydon Plantation, a coffee and pineapple plantation nestled in the Catadupa Mountains. Tours of the plantation include a barbecue lunch, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and panoramic views of the island escape. Spend the rest of your extended weekend trip working on your tan on the pristine white sand of Doctor’s Cave Beach and snapping enviable sand-in-toes selfies.
Mexico City, Mexico (down 21% vs. last year)
Image: Neiljs, Mexico City via Flickr CC BY 2.0
While it’s a year-round value getaway, Mexico City, Mexico, is particularly appealing at Thanksgiving because of its balmy temperatures, substantial savings and hot culinary scene. Work up an appetite people watching at Zocalo (the Plaza de la Constitución), one of the largest public squares in the world, and exploring the Catedral Metropolitana at the north end of the plaza and the Palacio Nacional on the east side of Zocalo. The capital city is home to many famous restaurants like Fonda Margarita, a classic spot with a line at the door beginning at dawn for home-style fare like albóndigas and tortas de carne (meat patties). Trust us, you won’t miss the turkey here.
Dublin, Ireland (down 18% vs. last year)
Image: Nico Kaiser, Temple Bar via Flickr CC BY 2.0
Dublin, Ireland, is a compact city and the ideal place for those who love art. It’s an even more appealing destination thanks to a plethora of free options. Free attractions include the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, IMMA – National Museum of Modern Art and the Science Gallery, but the special part about coming here Thanksgiving weekend is Dublin Gallery Weekend, a visual arts festival Nov. 25-27 in which 30 galleries across the Irish capital host events like artist and curator talks, walking tours and workshops.
Las Vegas, Nevada (down 18% vs. last year)
Image: Daniel Zimmermann, Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas via Flickr CC BY 2.0
What better place to indulge in gluttony — a hallmark of Thanksgiving — than in Sin City? Endless buffets, cabanas and cocktails, concerts and casinos galore make Las Vegas an adults’ playground (but it is increasingly becoming friendly for families, so it’s also great for parents traveling with kids in tow). Work off Thanksgiving dinner with a stroll along The Strip. If luck is on your side, you might even win your next vacation at the blackjack table.
Atlanta, Georgia (down 17% vs. last year)
Image: joiseyshowaa, Atlanta skyline via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest airport, which helps when it comes to finding cheap fares, but don’t let this distinction scare you off. It’s actually easy to get in and out of ATL. Many of the city’s attractions are clustered around nearby Centennial Olympic Park, including the World of Coca-Cola, where soda lovers can sample more than 100 soft drinks; Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere; and Inside CNN Studio Tours, a 50-minute behind-the-scenes guided walking tour of the news channel. Stroll through Piedmont Park, a local favorite since 1904, and toast your thankfulness at Holeman and Finch Public House, an establishment at the forefront of the craft cocktail movement
Fort Lauderdale & Miami, Florida (both down 16% vs. last year)
Image: Kathryn, Spent the past few days… via Flickr CC BY 2.0
Only 30 miles separate these bustling metropolises in South Florida. Packed with possibilities, both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami offer 24/7 options, from lazy days on the beach to invigorating nightlife. Fall is the perfect time for a South Florida turkey day sneak away – the air and sea temps are warm enough for swimming, it’s stone crab season and White Party Week, a week of charity club and dance parties to raise funds for HIV/AIDS support services. If you’re looking to explore on a tighter budget, check out these cheap and free things to do in Miami.
Portland, Oregon (down 14% vs. last year)
Image: Ian Sane, Autumn In St. Johns via Flickr CC BY 2.0
Portland offers many opportunities to get in the holiday spirit starting just after Thanksgiving dinner. From the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse downtown to special wine tastings during the annual Wine Country Thanksgiving when 150 Willamette Valley wineries host tastings, food pairings, live music and more. Plus, Oregon is one of five U.S. states without sales tax, making it the largest city in the country with tax free shopping, helping travelers rack up more savings on Black Friday and beyond.
Barcelona, Spain (down 13% vs. last year)
Image: Jorge Franganillo, Barcelona via Flickr CC BY 2.0
November is one of the best times to visit the cradle of Catalan culture. Stroll Las Ramblas, walk through Gaudi’s Parc Guell and admire Pablo Picasso’s art at the Museu Picasso. Swap turkey for tapas — and turkey-induced food comas for afternoon siestas — in Barcelona, Spain. It’s low season in Barcelona as temps begin to fall and most tourists wait for the Christmas season. However, savvy travelers get to reap the benefits of cheaper travel, being the first to ice skate at Plaça de Catalunya’s ice rink and get a sneak peek at Christmas lighting that illuminates the city beginning the last week of November.
San Jose, Costa Rica (down 12% vs. last year)
Image: Carlos Adampol Galindo, San José, Costa Rica via Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0
With average temperatures hovering in the 70s, November is one of the best times for an ecotourism trip to San José, Costa Rica. The capital is the perfect jumping off point for journeying to Arenal, a symmetrical volcano where, after a day of hiking, visitors can enjoy a rejuvenating plunge in the hot springs of Costa Rica’s northern lowlands. And make sure to head to one of four beaches along the Pacific coast in Manuel Antonio National Park to soak up a bit of sun on your Thanksgiving vacation.
New York, New York (down 12% vs. last year)
Image: Jerry Ferguson, New York Sunset – HDR via Flickr CC BY 2.0
New York City is perfect for that quintessential fall getaway. Meander through Central Park letting the remaining fall leaves crisp under foot or lace up your ice skates at Wollman Rink on the eastside of the park. Work up an appetite and give that turkey and cranberry sauce a run for its money at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants the city has to offer. Cap off your city adventure by catching a holiday show like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For those who can’t resist shopping on Black Friday for the best deals, the Big Apple is a shopper’s paradise too. Be sure to check out the Winter Village, a European inspired open-air market in Bryant Park to get into the holiday shopping spirit. Plus, there are many things to do in New York for under $5, adding to your travel savings.