Exclusive:
Holidaymakers could save on flights if they head away before the festive period, as they rise dramatically in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, new research by Kayak has revealed
Many flights and holiday prices have dropped dramatically amidst a battle for pre-Christmas customers, while festive fares are rocketing.
Airlines and travel companies are slashing their prices in an attempt to lure in pre-Christmas travellers over the next few weeks. Research conducted by Kayak for the Mirror has shown which destinations are the biggest bargains if you want to get away ahead of the festive break, and those where prices shoot up as the big day nears.
The research found prices shoot up in Tirana, Albania. Holidaymakers travelling between November 21 and December 8, will pay an average of £64. However, anyone wanting to go to Tirana from December 9 to 24 will; see the price increase to £211 — a difference of 230 per cent.
This isn’t the only dramatic rise. For the same periods, Bucharest in Romania rises from £102, to over three times as much at £326. Several destinations in Spain also see rises during the pre-Christmas period. If you are heading to Puerto del Rosario, your ticket will increase on average by just under £200 (from £97 to £292).
In fact, 25 per cent of the destinations in the 20 with the biggest pre-Christmas price drops are to Spain. This includes the popular destination of Tenerife, where the price more than doubles from £124 to £280.
Of the most searched destinations flights over the festive period, Thailand came out on top. Those wanting to head there over the festive period face a price increase from £705 to £1,221.
Holidaymakers hoping to catch some winter sun will also not be pleased to hear average flight prices for Dubai will rise dramatically after December 8. While the average fare between November 21 and December 8 is £490, this will rise to £770 between December 8 and 24.
Some rises aren’t as bad as others, including to New York, USA. Prices rise by around 21 per cent to £638 over the festive period.
In fact, only two of the most searched destinations for flights over the festive period do not have dramatic rises. If you are wanting to get out the UK, these will probably be the best options. Flights to Paris, France, only rise by six per cent, from £113 to £120. Alternatively, on average flights to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, actually decrease by four per cent from £149 to £142 — while only a small saving, it is something.
Top 20 destinations with biggest price drops pre-Christmas:
*Prices for November 21 to December 8 compared to prices for December 8 to 24
- Tirana, Albania = £64 vs £211
- Bucharest, Romania = £102 vs £326
- Puerto del Rosario, Spain = £97 vs £292
- Funchal, Portugal = £152 vs £444
- Agadir, Morocco = £71 vs £178
- Granadilla, Spain = £112 vs £279
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain = £118 vs £288
- Sofia, Bulgaria = £119 vs £285
- Hurghada, Egypt = £210 vs £477
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain = £124 vs £280
- Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain = £120 vs £272
- Antalya, Turkey = £104 vs £226
- Porto, Portugal = £128 vs £277
- Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt = £207 vs £439
- Paphos, Cyprus = £130 vs £275
- Marrakech, Morocco = £91 vs £192
- Warsaw, Poland = £124 vs £263
- Istanbul, Turkey = £129 vs £269
- Bridgetown, Barbados = £507 vs £1,036
- Lisbon, Portugal = £125 vs £250
Top 20 most searched for destinations for travel between December 9 and 24:
*Prices for November 21 to December 8 compared to prices for December 8 to 24
- Bangkok, Thailand = £705 vs £1,221
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates = £490 vs £770
- New Delhi, India = £630 vs £995
- Mumbai, India = £605 vs £1,049
- New York, United States = £526 vs £638
- Manila, Philippines = £720 vs £1,234
- Johannesburg, South Africa = £744 vs £1,237
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia = £473 vs £789
- Lagos, Nigeria = £851 vs £1,548
- Islamabad, Pakistan = £676 vs £1,019
- Lahore, Pakistan = £663 vs £1,042
- Istanbul, Turkey = £129 vs £269
- Paris, France = £113 vs £120
- Nairobi, Kenya = £682 vs £1,145
- Cape Town, South Africa = £811 vs £1,418
- Sydney, Australia = £1,184 vs £1,692
- Bengaluru, India = £630 vs £1,056
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong = £591 vs £990
- Amsterdam, Netherlands = £149 vs £142
- Vasco da Gama, India = £806 vs £1,226
