40% of Americans plan to travel for the December holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa).29% plan to travel for Thanksgiving.19% plan to travel for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

In the 2025–2026 holiday season, travel statistics show that approximately 30% to 35% of the total population in major western markets like the U.S. and Europe travels for Christmas. This equates to over 115 million Americans and tens of millions of Europeans taking to the roads, rails, and skies. The vast majority (roughly 90%) travel by car to visit family and friends, while the remaining 10% opt for air travel or trains. Interestingly, data from early 2026 indicates a 12% rise in international "festive" travel compared to previous years, with travelers increasingly seeking "bucket-list" winter experiences in destinations like Lapland or the Christmas markets of Central Europe. While "home for the holidays" remains the dominant tradition, the trend toward "experience-based" holiday travel is growing, particularly among younger generations who prefer a unique destination over a traditional domestic gathering.

That’s an excellent question, but it’s important to know that there isn’t a single, definitive global percentage because the data varies significantly by country, culture, and year.

However, we can look at data from major travel markets to get a clear picture.

United States (The Most Tracked Market)

In the U.S., Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest travel season of the year. The American Automobile Association (AAA) provides the most cited forecasts.

• For the 2023 holiday season (Dec 23 - Jan 1), AAA forecasted that 115.2 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home.
• With a U.S. population of roughly 335 million, that means about 34% of Americans traveled for the holidays.
• Breakdown:
  • The vast majority (90%) drove – about 104 million people.
  • 7.5 million flew (about 6.5% of travelers).
  • The rest took buses, trains, or cruises.

Key Factors That Influence the Percentage:

1. Country and Culture: In countries with strong family-centric holidays (like the U.S., UK, and many European and Latin American countries), the percentage is very high. In countries where Christmas is less of a family gathering holiday or not widely celebrated, the percentage is much lower.
2. Domestic vs. International: Christmas travel is overwhelmingly domestic—people going “home for the holidays” to see family. International travel peaks more in the summer.
3. Mode of Transport: As seen above, personal vehicles dominate. The percentage of people who travel is much higher than the percentage who fly.
4. Economic Factors: In years with strong economies and lower gas prices, travel numbers rise. High airfare or inflation can suppress numbers. 5.