Get Great Deals on These Last-Minute Holiday Getaways

Make unforgettable travel memories this holiday season at destinations that offer festive experiences for less

Need an inexpensive last-minute holiday trip? Check out our options below, such as a Huttopia winter getaway.

Courtesy Huttopia

Susan B. Barnes,

AARP

Published December 09, 2025

When he realized that their three grown children were available over the holidays, Kevin Mahoney and his wife, both 52, booked a last-minute four-day cruise to the Bahamas.

“We live in the Orlando [Florida] area, as does our son. We have a daughter near Tampa and a daughter in Maryland, so we aren’t able to all get together often,” says Mahoney. “We just decided somewhat last-minute [to book the cruise] when we realized we were all available.”

Rich Kingly, also 52, says he keeps an eye out for affordable, last-minute December getaways because it’s the time of year when “I finally get to breathe.”

“When work gets hectic toward the end of the year, I like choosing places that are easy on the wallet, simple to book and still feel festive for the holidays,” he says. Setting his sights overseas, Kingly personally recommends four destinations. He likes Porto, Portugal, for its low-cost December flights; Prague, which “becomes surprisingly affordable right before Christmas”; Athens, Greece, where it is the off-season but still has mild temperatures; and Krakow, Poland, which he says stays budget-friendly all winter.

According to the 2025 Deloitte Holiday Travel Survey, for the first time in about five years, more than half of Americans surveyed said they planned to travel between Thanksgiving and early January. The survey found 23 percent of boomers and 26 percent of Gen Xers planned to travel over the holidays. While more people plan to travel at this time of year, their budgets are down 18 percent from last year, averaging $2,334 per trip.

When it comes to budget-friendly travel, Renee Pilley, a senior travel advisor with AAA of Western and Central New York, says it is still possible to book last-minute getaways by being flexible with your travel dates, which she says will get you the best rates.

“Traveling on a holiday like Christmas Day or New Year’s Day can be possibly cheaper than the days before and after, and offer less crowds,” she says, adding that would-be travelers should look at any reward points they may have that they can use to cut costs.

Here are some ideas for an affordable, last-minute getaway over the holidays.

an aerial shot of a resort near the beach

Cancún, Mexico, is one of Priceline’s top five most affordable international destinations to fly into in December. Here, Paradisus La Perla Adults Only in Cancún.

Courtesy Apple Vacations

Cancún, Mexico

With its sunny days, white, sandy beaches and warm, turquoise water — as well as an impressive number of all-inclusive resorts ranging from budget to luxe — it’s no wonder Cancún, Mexico, is considered one of the most popular destinations in the world. It’s also one of Priceline’s top five most affordable international destinations to fly into in December. According to Dollar Flight Club’s “Holiday 2025 Travel Report,” airfares to Cancún from cities such as Chicago, Dallas and Austin, Texas, are down as much as 32 percent from last year. For those looking to take a break from the cold weather this winter, Cancún is an easy, direct flight from more than 40 cities across the U.S.

One of Apple Vacations’ promises to its clients is to put planning on “easy mode,” even for last-minute getaways around the holidays. The company works with all-inclusive resorts in Cancún that have expanded their offerings to include not only food and drinks but also live entertainment, water parks, cultural experiences and more, enabling their clients to stretch their dollars further. To that end, couples who book a three-night stay at Paradisus La Perla Adults Only in Cancún or the family-friendly Paradisus Playa del Carmen – Riviera Maya (Dec. 24-27) will enjoy more than $200 off per person, including flights and accommodations.

a woman walking out of a snow covered cabin

Huttopia’s accommodations blend the warmth of a cabin and the simplicity of camping to create a setting with private bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, living spaces, and gas or wood stoves.

Courtesy Huttopia

Ski-resort alternatives

Rather than racking up bills at traditional ski resorts this holiday season, opt instead for a stay at Huttopia. Known for its summertime ready-to-camp retreats, the family-owned, French company is setting the scene for serene holiday getaways in three North American destinations within driving distance of Boston, New York City and Montreal. Consider Huttopia White Mountains near Loon Mountain, Huttopia Berkshires at the base of Jiminy Peak and Huttopia Les Deux Lacs – Laurentides near Canadian ski destinations such as Mont Tremblant, Mont-Blanc and Mont Habitant. The eco-designed accommodations effortlessly blend the warmth of a cabin and the simplicity of camping to create a hygge setting, with private bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, living spaces, and gas or wood stoves. Rates at all three properties start at $160 per night.

carolers and onlookers line stairs decorated for the holidays

Get into the holiday spirit on a Holland America Line ship with carolers, holiday services, cookie decorating and seasonal menus.

Courtesy Holland America Line

Set sail

Looking to leave all the cooking, cleaning, decorating and entertainment to someone else? When you book a cruise, you can do just that … and you won’t be alone. A recent survey conducted by Holland America Line in the U.S. revealed that more than 8 in 10 Americans who usually host the holidays say they would be willing to trade that stress for a vacation. In fact, nearly 67 percent said they’d “pay extra to avoid the tasks that come with holiday traditions.” Tack on the cost of entertaining and the desire to relax, and they are more than ready to set sail.

One option to relieve the stress of holiday hosting is Holland America’s 7-Day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove & Bahamas Holiday, sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dec. 20-27 (from $599 per person). The ship will visit the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic and Key West. While on board Koningsdam, guests can enjoy a floating winter wonderland complete with a Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea, carolers, holiday services, cookie decorating and seasonal menus. You may even spot Santa on board, too.

an overhead view of a street with motion blur light trails and trees with holiday lights

At the center of the Oxford, Mississippi, festivities is Holly Jolly Holidays, complete with a dazzling Walk of Lights and ice skating.

Courtesy Visit Oxford MS

Oxford, Mississippi

Enjoy the holiday season Southern-style in Oxford, Mississippi, located about an hour and 15 minutes from Memphis, Tennessee, three hours from Birmingham, Alabama, and five hours from Atlanta. At the center of the festivities is Holly Jolly Holidays, through Jan. 4, complete with a dazzling Walk of Lights, ice skating, a Peppermint Trail with sips and bites and visits from Santa. Combo tickets for the light display and ice skating are $25 per person, with tickets half-price on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Elsewhere in the “cultural mecca of the South” are a gingerbread holiday village (through Dec. 17) and whimsical gnome villages found in corners and doorways around the Square.

Graduate by Hilton Oxford has room rates starting at $112 per night for two. Be sure to check out the stunning views of downtown Oxford all lit up, from its rooftop bar. Or check into The Oliver Hotel of Oxford, decked out for the season, with rates starting at $130 per night for two.

an intersection at night with holiday decorations

In Milwaukee, walk the free Ornament Trail to see public art or hop on the Jingle Bus to take in the sights and sounds of the season.

Courtesy Visit Milwaukee

Milwaukee

Holiday traditions and festive happenings await in Milwaukee, about 90 minutes north of Chicago. Enjoy “public art with a holiday twist” on the free Ornament Trail through Jan. 18, or hop on the Jingle Bus through Dec. 28, to take in the sights and sounds of the season, enjoying free hot cocoa and sweet treats along the way, for just $8 per person.

Stay in the heart of it all at the historic Pfister Hotel, with rates starting at $199 per night, or the boutique Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, with rates starting at $179 per night.

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