Best Places to Travel for Thanksgiving in 2026: Complete Guide
Easy & Secure Booking with Boletoxpress
If you are looking for the best places to travel for Thanksgiving in 2026, there are several destinations to choose from. You can go for destinations with nice weather, such as Orlando and San Antonio; destinations that offer exciting city visits, such as New York City and Nashville; or even destinations surrounded by beautiful mountains, like Gatlinburg and Asheville. Since Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, it will be peak travel season for the holidays, and buses will be very affordable.
Travel during Thanksgiving is the busiest period in the travel industry, and the FAA claims that it is the busiest time in air travel in 15 years. As projected by AAA, a total of 81.8 million travelers will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday, out of which 73 million travelers will opt for road transport while the remaining 8.8 million will travel by flight, bus, Amtrak, or cruise lines. There was an 8.5% increase in bus, train, and cruise travelers to 2.5 million.
Last year, TSA screened a record 3.13 million passengers within a single day on the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day. As you think about where you might want to go during your Thanksgiving holiday in 2026, it is important to consider this growth trend. Flights and car rides tend to be booked early, but bus rides don’t.
What Are the Best Places to Travel for Thanksgiving in 2026?
Where you go for Thanksgiving really comes down to what kind of week you want. Warm and lazy, festive and busy, or quiet in the mountains, here’s how the top picks stack up.
Destination | Weather | Crowd level | Typical budget (3 nights, hotel only) | Best for |
Orlando, FL | Warm, 70s | High | $250 to $900 | Families, theme parks |
San Antonio, TX | Mild, 70s | Medium | $400 to $900 | Couples, budget trips |
Tucson, AZ | Mild, 70s | Low | $250 to $600 | Hikers, food lovers |
New York, NY | Cold, 40s to 50s | Very high | $900 to $2,000+ | First timers, Broadway fans |
Nashville, TN | Cool, 50s to 60s | High | $600 to $1,200 | Music fans, groups |
New Orleans, LA | Mild, 60s to 70s | Medium | $450 to $900 | Foodies, short trips |
Asheville, NC | Cool, 40s to 55°F | High | $450 to $650 | Couples, mountain scenery |
Are banks open on Thanksgiving?
If you want to skip the cold entirely, three cities keep coming up for good reason.
Orlando, Florida
The weather stays within the range of 70 degrees throughout the entire week of Thanksgiving in Orlando. However, there are some holiday happenings in both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, with the possibility of much shorter lines compared to the rush that takes place during Christmas week. Indeed, this year Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place in Magic Kingdom Park on some selected dates between November 8 and December 22, 2026, with dates falling around holidays being November 24, 25, 27, and 29, happening from 7 p.m. to midnight for $189 to $229.
Hotel prices differ greatly depending on the locality. Budget hotels located at Kissimmee and International Drive charge from $60 up to $180, while mid-level hotels near Universal Boulevard cost from $200 up to $220 per night. The resort hotels located in Disney for Christmas week cost from $ 300 per night. Purchase your ticket and your flight separately.
If you’ve got kids or you’re chasing a guaranteed warm Thanksgiving, Orlando is hard to beat.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio has pleasant weather with highs in the 70s, and a far lower price to eat and sleep at compared to Florida amusement parks. The Christmas Season in San Antonio starts immediately after Thanksgiving with the Ford Holiday River Parade, which will take place on Friday, November 27, 2026. This is a free event where 27 floats are well-lit as they move through the River Walk, and 200,000 lights are lit in the bald cypress trees at this time of year.
Hotel accommodation in the downtown River Walk area is priced at between $130 for a regular room and $300 for a room overlooking the river per night. Kindly note that you must book in advance on that specific weekend.
Suitable for: Couples, budget-conscious families, those wishing to have fun without spending too much.
Tucson, Arizona
The city boasts a desert climate, a simple hiking trail in Saguaro National Park, and good eating places that earned Tucson the title of UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy in 2015. Hence, it is the first city in America to gain this title. The end of November is characterized by cool weather around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and cool evenings that allow dining outside comfortably without perspiring. Hotel costs are lower than in Orlando and Nashville for the same quality, since Tucson is not a tourist destination.
If you don’t want to stand in line at the parades, then don’t go to Orlando but come here.
Festive City Breaks
New York City
New York City has been chosen time and again as the site for hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, performances on Broadway, and the festive window displays that are put up all along Fifth Avenue. The 2026 parade will be the one hundredth year since the parade began. The parade will start at 8:30 am on Thanksgiving Day on West 77th Street and Central Park West. It will run all the way west through the Central Park West and 6th Avenue intersection to Macy’s Herald Square.
The hotel bookings run out really quickly, and the nearer you get to the parade, the costlier the accommodation becomes. Thus, it is always better and cheaper to book accommodations farther from Sixth Avenue than near it. The day following the parade is Black Friday, and by then all the stores on Fifth Avenue would already be decorated for the holiday season.
The southern food, along with music, takes place every day in Nashville, and this is where the big events begin during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Nashville, Tennessee
Best suited for: newcomers, fans of Broadway, families who want to witness the Thanksgiving broadcast in real life. The Christmas celebrations at Gaylord Opryland begin with the installation of more than 5 million lights, as well as an ice sculpture display that features a new theme every year. On the other hand, entry to the premises does not cost you anything, as there is no need to pay extra money for doing any activity. Room prices range between $200 and $300 for normal hotels and $300 and $400 for best hotels.
Ideal for: Music enthusiasts, Food enthusiasts, Party animals on vacation.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Thanksgiving in New Orleans is a food holiday, including turkey and all the fixings as well as gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets from Café du Monde. If you’re building a full food itinerary, our restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day guide covers what’s actually serving that week. Three or four days are sufficient for visiting the French Quarter, taking the streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue, visiting a couple of jazz clubs, and doing it all without a car after arriving in the city, similar to the short trips covered in our best US destinations for a quick weekend guide. It is one of the best Thanksgiving travel destinations that the Friendsgiving crowd has favored in recent years.
Famous for: food-focused travelers, couples, groups doing Friendsgiving, short trips of three to four days.
Mountain and Small Town Getaways
Asheville, North Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The location of Asheville and Gatlinburg near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which is the most popular national park in the United States, and the fact that there is no entrance fee year-round make the region more appealing. November brings cool weather, quiet trails, and full cabins. The Christmas at Biltmore season will run from November 6, 2026, to January 2, 2027, and admission fees for adults are estimated at 105 dollars and up, with Thanksgiving being among the first weekends sold out.
The prices for a 3-star hotel in Asheville would be approximately 149 dollars for one night, whereas for a 4-star hotel they would be around 218 dollars. Of course, prices depend on what you will find on Booking.com. Weekend prices would be higher than weekday prices. Regarding the BoletoXpress bus trip that goes through Knoxville, there will be a stop in Gatlinburg.
Suitable for: Couples, people who love mountain scenery, and people who want to unwind in a secluded environment over Thanksgiving.
How Long Is the Bus Ride to Each Destination?
Destination | Average Nov. temp | Known for | Typical bus travel time from Atlanta |
Orlando, FL | 70 to 75°F | Theme parks, holiday shows | 8 to 9 hours |
New York, NY | 45 to 55°F | Macy’s Parade, Broadway | 16 to 17 hours |
Nashville, TN | 50 to 60°F | Live music, Southern food | 4 to 5 hours |
San Antonio, TX | 65 to 75°F | River Walk, mild winters | 16 to 17 hours |
Asheville, NC | 40 to 55°F | Mountains, cabins | 4 to 5 hours |
Travel times will depend on the route and stops made at each of these Thanksgiving vacation spots; hence, make sure to consult the schedule from BoletoXpress first.
When Should You Travel for Thanksgiving 2026?
The 2026 Thanksgiving will fall on November 26. Below is the general pattern from AAA and the FAA, based on previous years’ records.
Day | What to expect |
Tuesday, Nov. 24 | One of the two heaviest travel days of the year |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | The other heaviest travel day, also the busiest rental car pickup day |
Thursday, Nov. 26 | Lightest traffic of the week, often the cheapest day to travel |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | Smoother and cheaper than Sunday for the trip home |
Sunday, Nov. 29 | Typically the worst day to come home, both for cost and crowding |
If you have that timing available, being able to travel on Thanksgiving Day or even return on Saturday rather than Sunday will almost always provide an easier journey and lower ticket prices. This applies to all forms of transport but is particularly the case for buses.
Is It Cheaper to Fly, Drive, or Take the Bus for Thanksgiving?
In view of the short duration of this journey, the transportation costs account for almost half the total cost, which makes it essential to do it right. A round trip by plane in the domestic market has an average cost of $700, with the return flight responsible for most of it because Sunday and Monday are the most expensive days of the week. By driving, one avoids airfare, but incurs additional fuel costs.
Rental is not cheap either. According to Hertz, Wednesday was the busiest day for picking up cars last year, and Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Newark were the most popular cities.
Mode | Typical cost (one way, medium distance) | Busiest days | What you avoid |
Flying | $200 to $400+ | Sun/Mon after Thanksgiving | Road traffic |
Driving | Gas + tolls, varies | Tue/Wed before Thanksgiving | Baggage fees |
Bus | $30 to $90 | Similar to flights, but fewer sellouts | Airport security, parking costs |
However, bus tickets purchased through BoletoXpress tend to be much cheaper than flights for the same route, without baggage charges for the first piece of luggage, which is one reason more travelers are switching to booking buses online instead of calling ahead. You also don’t need to show up two hours early as you would at an airport, reason enough on its own if you’re traveling with kids or older relatives.
What Should You Pack for Best Thanksgiving Travel?
What to bring will largely depend on where you are going. If you haven’t nailed down your route yet, our free travel itinerary template is a quick way to lay out stops before you pack. If you are visiting New York, Nashville, or Asheville, you should carry a coat, layered clothes, and walking shoes because there are parades and holiday markets in these places that require a lot of outdoor standing around. If you are visiting Orlando, San Antonio, or Tucson, you should take clothes that will help you stay warm during the day and light clothing that will help you stay comfortable at night. A charger and a copy of your bus ticket will be useful regardless of where you are heading, and it’s worth checking our what’s open on Thanksgiving checklist before you leave, since hours shift in a lot of towns that day.
Should You Cross the Border for Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is not a Mexican holiday, meaning it would be a great opportunity to travel to see relatives and go on a short vacation just across the border, since there is less traffic than on Christmas and Easter holidays. U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows live wait times at each land port of entry, with a target of a 15-minute wait for SENTRI and NEXUS lanes and a Ready Lane wait targeted at half of whatever the general lane is running that day. There is the possibility of surpassing this threshold at peak periods; therefore, use the CBP wait time calculator on the day that you intend to travel.
For instance, if your trip passes through a border town such as Laredo or El Paso, BoletoXpress has several departures based on standard crossing times, giving you shorter waiting periods compared to when you drive your own car through the same point of entry.
How Do You Book Thanksgiving Travel Without Overpaying?
Book as soon as possible. Whether it be one of the top spots to visit at Thanksgiving time, costs associated with flights, buses, and car rentals will increase as the week approaches, especially during the final two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Day. Helpful tips to follow would be:
- Make your travel arrangements for the Thanksgiving holiday if possible. Prices are cheaper, and there will be fewer crowds.
- Go home on Saturday rather than Sunday or Monday.
- Before deciding that flying is quicker, compare the cost of a plane ticket to the cost of a bus ride on the same route.
- Check BoletoXpress for seat availability on both the outbound and return legs before locking in your outbound date.
You don’t need a travel agent for any of this. Book two or three weeks earlier than most people do, and pick your travel day as carefully as your destination.
Conclusion
Orlando and San Antonio if you want warmth. New York and Nashville if you want energy. Asheville and Gatlinburg if you want quiet. Traveling on Thanksgiving Day itself and coming home Saturday will save you more money and stress than any destination choice will. Check your route and book your seat on BoletoXpress a few weeks out, and you’ll skip both the worst prices and the worst crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thanksgiving in 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26.
What is the busiest day to travel for Thanksgiving?
The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are historically the busiest travel days of the year.
Is it cheaper to travel on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. Fares for flights and buses are usually lowest on the holiday itself, since most people travel the days before.
What is the cheapest way to travel for Thanksgiving?
Bus travel is typically the cheapest option, often well under half the cost of a comparable flight.
Where is the best place to travel Thanksgiving if I want warm weather?
Orlando, San Antonio, and Tucson all stay in the 65 to 75°F range during Thanksgiving week.
How long do border crossings take during Thanksgiving?
CBP targets a 15-minute wait for SENTRI and NEXUS lanes, though actual waits vary by port and time of day.
Should I book bus tickets early for Thanksgiving?
Yes. Fares rise as the holiday gets closer, so booking two to three weeks ahead saves the most money.
Is Thanksgiving weekend a good time to visit Mexico?
Yes. Since it isn’t a Mexican holiday, border crossings and city crowds are typically lighter than during Christmas or Easter.
Where is the least crowded place to travel for Thanksgiving?
Tucson and New Orleans tend to see lighter crowds than Orlando, Nashville, or New York during Thanksgiving week.
Can I book a bus ticket the day before Thanksgiving?
Sometimes, but seats sell out fast on the two busiest days. Booking at least two weeks ahead is safer.
Which Thanksgiving destination is best for couples?
San Antonio and Asheville are popular picks for couples, with festive lighting events and a slower pace than a theme park city.
How early should I book a hotel for Thanksgiving week?
At least four to six weeks ahead for cities with a headline event, like the Biltmore in Asheville or the River Walk parade in San Antonio, since those dates sell out first.
What are the best places to travel for Thanksgiving on a budget?
Tucson, New Orleans, and Asheville generally cost less than Orlando or New York for a comparable three-night stay.
Where to travel during Thanksgiving if I want to avoid airports entirely?
Nashville and Asheville are both under 5 hours from Atlanta by bus, making them realistic to reach without flying.
