Just because December is one of the most popular months to travel doesn’t mean your holiday getaway has to come with a sky-high price tag. To uncover where travelers can get the most bang for their buck, we turned to Kayak, which analyzed flight and hotel searches from July 1 through Oct. 27, 2025, for travel between Dec. 1 to 31. “This year’s data shows travelers don’t have to spend big to get away,” said Kate Williams, Kayak’s travel trends expert and chief communications officer. “Affordable options span the U.S., from Myrtle Beach to Denver and Chicago. We’re seeing some flight and hotel packages under $300.” Whether you’re chasing sunshine or snow, these destinations prove that the perfect December escape doesn’t have to cost a fortune: In fact, most of them clock in at under $500 for flights and hotels.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Average Cost: $268 for flight and hotel
Myrtle Beach proves you don’t need snow to feel festive. In December, visitors can expect mild 60-degree days and sunny skies. While it may not be warm enough to sunbathe, it’s perfect for a bundled-up stroll along the famous boardwalk, which transforms into a nightly winter wonderland. There’s also the bustling Broadway at the Beach shopping and entertainment complex (don’t miss Ripley’s Aquarium Festival of Trees, which boasts over 50 themed trees), and the lush Brookgreen Gardens, which, come evening, is home to sparkling Christmas lights. Afterward, cozy up with classic Lowcountry comfort food: shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and buttery biscuits at local favorites like Sea Captain’s House or Hook & Barrel.
Atlanta, Georgia
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Average Cost: $456 for flight and hotel
Come December, Atlanta is chock-full of holiday cheer—so much so that it’s nearly impossible to be bored, especially in December, which adds charming holiday markets, glittering light displays, and live performances to the mix. Lace up your skates at the Skate the Station rink at Atlantic Station, wander through the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights spectacle, or browse local goods (and a cup of glühwein) at the Atlanta Christkindl Market. For even more festive fun, head about 30 minutes outside the city to Stone Mountain Park, where more than two million lights, a nightly parade, and loads of family-friendly attractions await.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Average Cost: $466 for flight and hotel
For a fun—and likely snow-filled—winter escape, pack your parka and head to Minneapolis. The city embraces the cold with open arms, offering just as much charm indoors as out. Mall of America—the country’s largest shopping destination—makes tackling your holiday list a breeze, while the Minneapolis Institute of Art delivers a dose of culture and calm between snow flurries. Embrace hygge season at the Four Seasons Minneapolis’ Nordic Village, where you can dine in your own private cabin or sip seasonal cocktails in the candlelit lounge, aptly named The Lodge. Then, when you’re ready to brave the elements again, bundle up for a stroll along the Mississippi River or through one of the city’s snow-dusted parks.
Houston, Texas
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Average Cost: $483 for flight and hotel
Everything’s bigger in Texas—and that includes the holiday festivities. December is an excellent time to visit Houston, when the massive light installations, from the Houston Zoo Lights to the Sugar Land Holiday Lights, and festive markets pop up in nearly every neighborhood, including the SugarPlum Market and the Heights Holiday Market. Between shopping, stroll through the illuminated displays at Discovery Green, or catch a holiday performance at the Alley Theatre.
Orlando, Florida
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Average Cost: $495 for flight and hotel
Orlando’s theme parks go all out for the holidays. At Walt Disney World, you’ll find seasonal parades like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, themed décor on Main Street U.S.A. and throughout the parks, and festive treats around every corner. Over at Universal Orlando, the Grinch takes over Seuss Landing and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is transformed into a snow-dusted dreamscape. Outside the parks, explore festive light shows at Lake Eola Park, where the towering Christmas tree and synchronized nightly lights draw crowds, or check out nearby Winter Park, which hosts the annual “Winter on the Avenue” kickoff, a boat parade along the lakes, and other seasonal gatherings.
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Average Cost: $499 for flight and hotel
This holiday season, go big or go home in Vegas. Sin City pulls out all the stops in December: Visit the Bellagio Conservatory’s winter display or skate above the skyline at The Cosmopolitan’s 4,200-square-foot rooftop ice rink. Early December is often pleasantly mild—think mid-60s by day—and comes with lighter crowds before the Christmas and New Year’s Eve rush, making it the perfect time to enjoy Vegas’s signature spectacle without the frenzy.
Chicago, Illinois
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Average Cost: $501 for flight and hotel
The Windy City may get a bad rap in winter, but if you can brave the cold, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, lower rates, and a city that truly shines during the holidays. Chicago goes all in on festive cheer—think twinkling lights (about a million of them!) along Michigan Avenue, the Christkindlmarket’s cozy European vibes, and ice skating in Millennium Park. Warm up afterward with deep-dish pizza, mulled wine, or a visit to one of the city’s world-class museums. Also not to be missed: The rooftop at The Gwen Hotel transforms into a cozy winter wonderland complete with curling lanes, comfy seating, and fireside cocktails overlooking Michigan Avenue.
Austin, Texas
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Average Cost: $502 for flight and hotel
Texas’s capital city knows how to keep things merry and bright come December. Austin’s signature Trail of Lights in Zilker Park transforms the skyline with more than two million bulbs, while the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar blends holiday shopping with Austin’s legendary arts and live music scene. And with daytime temperatures often hovering in the 60s, it’s comfortable enough to stroll South Congress for last-minute gifts or sip hot cocoa (or a margarita) under the stars at spots like the rooftop at El Alma or Upstairs at Caroline.
