What it actually costs to fly a family home for the holidays — and how to save

Holiday travel in 2025 remains expensive, especially for a family. According to Edhat, the average domestic ticket runs about $830, while international flights can average $1,630 per person, not including add-ons such as checked baggage, seat selection, or airport parking. When multiplied by four, airfare alone can easily exceed $3,000.

Beyond tickets, extra costs pile up fast. Airport parking, rideshares, tolls, pet care, and terminal food often add hundreds more. However, early planning and a little strategy might help to offset some of these expenses.

Here are eight strategies to help make holiday travel in 2025 more affordable.

Wu Yi / Unsplash

While base fares may seem reasonable, airlines add $75–$125 per traveler for extras like checked bags, seat selection, and parking. According to Edhat, for a family of four, this can add $300–$500 to your total. Travel light or select airlines and credit cards that waive baggage fees.

Max Kukurudziak / Unsplash

According to Travel + Leisure, the cheapest holiday tickets appear about 58 days before departure, and booking later can cost significantly more. Set fare alerts and purchase tickets before this window, if possible.

Sergey Tarasov / Unsplash

Edhat estimates that driving costs about $0.70 per mile, including fuel, maintenance, and depreciation. A 500-mile round trip for four totals around $352, far less than airfare. Consider driving for trips under 600 miles and weigh hidden costs like traffic and overnight stays.

Steven Thompson / Unsplash

Holiday searches are happening about 15 days earlier than in previous years, according to Economic Times. If you’re willing to wait, Yahoo Lifestyle claims departing on the holiday itself or a day before can save 15–30%.

John Thomas / Unsplash

Traveling on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday generally costs less than weekends, according to experts at Travel + Leisure. It might be wise to avoid peak weekend travel in an effort to reduce airfare and airport congestion.

Eminent Luggage / Unsplash

NerdWallet recommends using airline miles or credit card points, even if redemption isn’t perfect, to offset holiday costs. Redeeming points for peak travel to reduce cash outlay, especially for a family, might be a game changer.

Isaac Owens / Unsplash

Reader’s Digest notes that leaving a day earlier or later than peak dates can save up to 30% on airfare. Flexibility in travel dates can help to significantly reduce total costs for families. Google reports that flight search volume is up while supply is stable, providing opportunities for early-booking savings. Use Google Flights’ Date Grid and Price Graph to compare fares across multiple dates.