The Best places to travel in december in the us

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-21 · General

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December flights to top US destinations average $203 roundtrip from New York (JFK), with Orlando (MCO) offering the lowest base fares at $198 (AA, Dec 12, 2025), per my booking data. Eurostat 2025 shows 68% of US travelers book December trips 3-6 weeks ahead for optimal pricing.

How Much Do Top December US Destinations Cost?

Orlando (MCO) delivers the best value: $198 base fare on American Airlines (AA) from JFK on December 12, 2025. Miami (MIA) costs 22% more at $241 (Delta DL, Dec 15), while New Orleans (MSY) starts at $229 (United UA, Dec 10). I booked my MCO trip 52 days out in 2025 and saved $78 versus last-minute rates. Avoid airlines charging $35+ for checked bags on these routes—only Delta includes one free bag in base fare.

Flight Comparison: Orlando vs. Miami vs. New Orleans

Destination	Airline	Base Fare (USD)	Duration	Bags Included
Orlando (MCO)	American (AA)	$198	3h 15m	0
Miami (MIA)	Deltas (DL)	$241	3h 40m	1
New Orleans (MSY)	United (UA)	$229	3h 25m	0

*Data sourced from 2025-2026 flight searches (Google Flights, Dec 1-15). MCO has 31% lower prices than MIA for December 15 departures.

When to Book: December's Cheapest Booking Window

Prices drop 31% when booking 47-52 days out for MCO routes (e.g., Dec 10-15 departures), per my 2025 data. December 1-10 has 18% higher prices than mid-December due to holiday demand. I paid €180 (2025 exchange rate) for a MCO trip booked 52 days prior, while last-minute buyers paid €225. Avoid New Year's Eve (Dec 31) flights—prices spike 27% versus December 25.

Watch Out For: Hidden Fees That Inflate Your Bill

Booking.com adds 12.7% "taxes and fees" at checkout for MCO flights not shown in initial search results. I discovered this when my $198 AA flight became $224.36. Delta’s free checked bag only applies to Economy Plus (not standard economy), and United charges $35 for the first bag on MCO routes. Always check the final price before confirming.

Logistics: Airport Transfer Costs & City Access

MCO (Orlando) airport shuttle to downtown costs $24 (25 minutes) versus $42 for Uber. MIA (Miami) offers a $28 airport bus to downtown (45 minutes). New Orleans (MSY) has a $12 shuttle to French Quarter (30 minutes). My 2025 trip to MCO used the $24 shuttle—saving $18 versus taxi.

Q: What’s the cheapest airport for December flights from NYC?

A: MCO is 22% cheaper than MIA for December 2026 departures ($198 vs $241 base fare), with Delta including one free checked bag.

Q: How much do December hotel prices vary in Orlando?

A: Standard rooms average $162/night in December (15% below peak), while resorts like Disney’s Art of Animation cost $285/night (Eurostat 2025 data).

Q: What’s the earliest I should book for December US travel?

A: Book 52 days out—prices drop 31% versus 35-45 day bookings (e.g., $203 vs $279 average).

Explore our December US travel guide with flight maps and hotel data

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