High-speed rail company Brightline is making celebrating the holidays easy this year with $39 sale fares during Christmas and New Year’s.
19.11.2023 - 17:35 / forbes.com / Johannes Thomas
If you're looking for a hotel during the holidays, you'll pay anywhere from 7% to 9% more than you did a year ago. So, which cities are the most expensive — and how can you get a deal? I asked Johannes Thomas, CEO of the German hotel metasearch site trivago for the answer.
Trivago created a list of cities with the most expensive hotels and shared it exclusively with Forbes.
Here's our interview:
Travel dates: November 23 to 26. All nightly rates are based on a standard room.
Johannes, it looks like Mexico, which is traditionally one of the most affordable places, is not so affordable for Thanksgiving. What happened?
In tourism hubs like Playa del Carmen and Tulum, there’s a concentration of upscale accommodations and luxury resorts, which contributes to a higher average hotel price.
While we're seeing some high prices in Mexico this year, it’s important to keep in mind that there are also plenty of budget-friendly options, especially compared to a few other major cities in North America.
So if someone wants to plan a last-minute trip to Mexico for Thanksgiving — assuming they can still find an airline ticket — what are their choices?
Affordable options include Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen. But it is getting late for Thanksgiving. You might try those destinations for Christmas or New Year's.
OK, let's talk about Christmas.
Travel dates: December 23 to 26, 2023.
Looks like French Polynesia is out of my price range. Or is it?
Bora Bora is definitely a pricey location. But you can find similar, more affordable beach experiences on other islands in French Polynesia, such as Moorea or Tahiti. There are also affordable options for a beach vacation in areas like Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Central America.
Are there places you can go to ski that will not bankrupt you?
For those looking to get the most bang for their buck on skiing this year, I’d recommend several affordable alternatives. For example, instead of heading to renowned and pricey resorts like Aspen or Vail, consider more budget-friendly options like Loveland Ski Area or Monarch Mountain. And while Park City is a popular destination in Utah, there are more economical choices like Brighton or Solitude Mountain Resort.
Can you lower your costs by booking strategically, like during the week?
Yes, costs can vary depending on the time of year, day of the week, and other factors, and staying in nearby towns rather than directly at the resort can help save on accommodation costs. I’d also recommend purchasing lift tickets in advance or as part of a package deal to help reduce expenses.
I was really surprised by your New Year's list, Johannes.
Travel dates: December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024
Wow,
High-speed rail company Brightline is making celebrating the holidays easy this year with $39 sale fares during Christmas and New Year’s.
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