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In December, especially in the U.S., it can feel like there's no escaping Christmas cheer. And maybe that's not your holiday. Or maybe you love it but could do without the crowds, the costs, and the rush that come with it.
Whatever your reason, a different kind of holiday trip might be just what you need. Keep reading for our tips and tricks on how to skip the stress — or skip the season altogether.
Holiday travel keeps breaking records. In 2025, AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home over the 13-day year-end holiday period from December 20 to January 1. This is a 2.2% increase over 2024 and above the previous record of 119.7 million travelers. Most people drive: 89% of holiday travelers take road trips. A record 8.03 million were expected to take domestic flights.
Airports feel the squeeze, too. TSA planned to screen a projected 44.3 million travelers between December 19, 2025, and January 4, 2026, with the heaviest volume, about 2.86 million, expected on Sunday, December 28. In other words, the days right after Christmas are among the most crowded times to fly all year.
Expect 2026 to be just as busy. That's all the more reason to consider a destination where you can skip the lines, and maybe the tinsel, too.
There are some classic destinations for Christmas vacations like New York City with its Rockettes and ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or, for those escaping the cold, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. London is always a popular destination for the holidays, too.
For fewer crowds but just as much fun, book a trip to one of these hidden gems.
There are many similarities between Panama and Costa Rica, but when it comes to tourism, most choose La Pura Vida of Costa Rica. That means more room for you when you spend Christmas in Panama.
You’ll find plenty of festive activities in Panama, starting as early as November. Just be prepared for it to look a bit different than you might be used to at home. Expect more time on the beach and parades with a carnival-like feel, even if Santa is there.
You don’t have to completely avoid Europe and its delightful Christmas markets if you don’t want to. Just head a bit off the beaten path to experience them with fewer people. Because Croatia is known primarily for its beaches and summer fun, you’ll find fewer tourists there in December. Dubrovnik and the inland areas still provide holiday cheer but with some room to breathe.
There’s something special about a Scandinavian Christmas. People of the north embrace the cold and celebrate it with festivals, cozy drinks, and plenty of fun outdoor activities. You’ll find this in Malmö, but because it’s obviously not Stockholm, you’ll see fewer tourists crowding the markets.
Hocking Hills admittedly seems like an outlier on this list. Logan, Ohio, (population: 7,000) isn’t exactly on the same level as some of these larger cities. But what the others have in metropolitan appeal, Hocking Hills has in understated natural beauty.
Even in the winter, you’ll enjoy a quiet hike through gorges and amongst (sometimes-frozen) waterfalls. You might even be able to snap some unspoiled winter nature photography. Forbes voted Hocking Hills State Park as a top place to travel in 2023, so don’t sleep on this surprising park in southeastern Ohio.
Traveling during the holidays can get expensive. The rules of supply-and-demand mean that you’re going to pay more for flights, gas on your road trip, even hotels or cruises. Plus, you might have gifts for out-of-town friends and family, and there are always extra meals out and tasty treats to buy.
Some extra expenses are hard to avoid, but with a few adjustments to your travel plans, you can save money at Christmas.
When you book your trip and, just as importantly, the days you choose to travel can make or break your budget. At holiday time, you want to make those reservations by the end of October. Prices generally creep up after Halloween.
Traveling on the right day can help you save a few dollars, too. If you’re flying, choosing a mid-week flight generally is cheaper. This may or may not be true depending on when Christmas falls, though, so research different dates if you’re looking for a deal. The days immediately before and after the holiday tend to be high demand and, therefore, more expensive. If December 25 is just another day for you, consider flying then. Because those who celebrate expect to already be at their destination by Christmas Day, this tends to be one of the cheapest days to fly in December.
Find more tips for how to score the best deals on flights or our guide to a stress-free winter vacation.
One Thai baht is about 3 cents in U.S. currency. Assuming you steer clear of high-end Bangkok hotels, that means you can get nice accommodations for less than $20 per night.
The same goes for food. Upscale restaurants will, obviously, cost more. But you can also find authentic eats for much less.
Humidity in Thailand is lower this time of year, making December a good time to visit … unless you’re looking for a destination with a strong Christmas ambiance. Most Thai people are Buddhist, so you won’t see many holiday lights and glitter.
You can ski on a budget during the holidays. Lift tickets at Solitude Mountain are among some of the more reasonably priced, even on Christmas Day. If you’ve ever wanted to hit the slopes in Utah but the price tag of well-known slopes like Park City have kept you home, here’s your sign to change that.
Helen is the Little Bavaria of Georgia, so if you’re looking for a European feel on a more modest budget this Christmas, head to this town of less than 1,000 residents. Just picture yourself among the Blue Ridge Mountains, strolling through a Christkindlmarkt, and when it’s time to relax, treating yourself to a sip or two of local wine.
If you have your doubts about Helen, Georgia, just know that more than one Lifetime Christmas movie has been filmed here. If it has enough holiday spirit to transform the life of a city grump who works too hard and doesn’t believe in the magic of holidays until finding love and sharing an emotional-yet-chaste kiss in the snow, then it's festive enough for us.
Among the upsides of this destination in December: warm weather, beautiful beaches, and all-inclusive resorts. Those resorts are what help keep the price of your trip down, even during holiday time. Although there can be some unexpected fees and add-ons that drive up the cost, having meals included as part of your stay can be a big money saver.
Knowing that many guests are choosing to spend Christmas on their property, resorts will often decorate for the holiday, so you’ll still get that festive mood.
Stay in Tulum and you’ll be close to key archeological sites. You can also head inland a bit more to visit the Mayan Ruins of Coba, explore underground caves, or take a sailing trip.
Some of us prefer to avoid Christmas altogether. Maybe you don't celebrate it, you aren’t close with family, or grief makes it a difficult holiday and you’d just rather not deal with it this year. Travel can be the perfect way to get away from the constant ho-ho-ho's.
Unsurprisingly, countries where a majority of the population is Muslim, Buddhist, or another non-Christian religion don’t typically celebrate Christmas. A short list of countries that don’t recognize Christmas as a public holiday includes:
More surprisingly, though, are the places that celebrate Christmas-like traditions as part of their own culture. Most citizens of Turkey, for example, are Muslim. However, it’s said that St. Nicholas was born in modern-day Turkey, so you might see gift-giving traditions similar to Christmas combined with New Year’s celebrations.
To avoid Christmas, pick a destination where no one celebrates it.
Laos is predominantly Buddhist, so December 25 passes quietly here. There's little of the commercial Western Christmas to escape from. December also falls in the dry season, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit. Choose locally owned guesthouses, restaurants, and tour guides, and your trip directly supports the communities you're visiting.
Explore history, culture, and nature on your getaway. Watch saffron-robed monks collect morning alms in Luang Prabang, or make a stop in Vang Vieng if you're into ecotourism.
Most Moroccans are Muslim, but stay in Marrakech — a popular destination for tourists — and you’re likely to see some Christmas influence as hotels and the like cater to visitors who want to celebrate.
To avoid that, book a riad, a traditional home that often offers more privacy, where you can create the non-festive atmosphere your heart desires. Even better, venture beyond Marrakech to the famous “Blue City” of Chefchaouen or unwind at the hot spring spas of Meknes.
Some Egyptians do indeed celebrate Christmas, but they tend to be Orthodox Christian. That means they celebrate Christmas in January, not on December 25. If you’re looking to avoid the holiday, just make your way to Egypt in December before the festivities kick in.
You’ll find more rain than at other times of the year — although calling it a rainy season is a bit of a stretch — but you’ll also find milder temperatures. Enjoy this time to visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Red Sea, the Mummification Museum in Luxor, or Ras Mohammed National Park.
Ulaanbaatar is one of the coldest capital cities in the world, with average December highs around 9°F and nighttime lows that regularly dip well below zero.
Because it’s the off-season, December is also the cheapest time to travel to Mongolia. This might be the right time for you to experience dog sledding, unique ice festivals, or joining a tour that lets you live with nomads.
Mongolia is about 50% Buddhist, so check this destination off your travel bucket list on your non-Christmas trip.
Some places are simply magical in December. Much of Europe is renowned for its Christmas markets and showy light displays. But that’s not what you’re looking for. Try one of these non-holiday destinations instead.
Most Americans don’t know where the Faroe Islands are (north of Scotland, tucked between Iceland and Norway). Even travelers who can find them on the map usually opt for sunnier, warmer places to get away.
December is the darkest month here, so you won’t find many tours operating. While that’s a turnoff for some, it might be exactly what you need to escape the Christmas hustle and bustle. Rent a cottage and indulge in a slower pace.
We’re leaving the specific destination open on this one. The best place to volunteer abroad is the one that matches your skills and allows you to contribute to the host community responsibly.
You might teach English as a second language or help with education programs if you like to work with kids. You might volunteer to clean up beaches or nature preserves if the environment is dear to your heart. You might even assist with agricultural or infrastructure projects if you like to get your hands dirty.
Staying busy with non-Christmas activities is a good way to spend your time. Someone suggested working, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, book a personal retreat and spend time on yourself.
Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman combines physical training with recovery treatments to help you with physical wellness goals. We think a little self-care is the best gift you can give.
Read more about this Omani retreat and others in our in-depth travel guide for wellness retreats.
If you really, truly want to avoid Christmas, New Zealand is the place. More accurately, the route to New Zealand is what you want.
For those of us in the United States, we can board a plane in New York on December 24 and arrive in Auckland on December 26, skipping over the day completely. Order another tomato juice and enjoy the ride.
Even if you aren’t celebrating Christmas — traditionally or otherwise — many others are. The holiday rush can lead to travel mishaps. Overcrowded airports and the potential for inclement winter weather increase the odds of the unexpected.
Why leave it to chance, hoping that your hotel or airline will cover you if something happens to disrupt your trip? Protect the money you spent on your trip and your health (flu season, anyone?) with the right travel insurance for your winter trip.
Get a quote in just a few minutes online or talk to a live, licensed agent today. A few simple questions will have you ready for your escape.
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