Gobbling Up Getaways - The Top Destinations Where Travelers Are Giving Thanks This Year
Allianz Partners USA reveals more Americans are taking flight for Thanksgiving, as bookings for domestic and international travel have increased this year.
RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanksgiving travel is on the rise once again, with more Americans eager to reunite with loved ones and explore both domestic and international destinations this holiday season, according to new data from Allianz Partners USA, a global leader in travel insurance and assistance services.
Allianz Partners' annual ranking of top destinations for Thanksgiving* reveals the most popular domestic and international destinations for 2025; and a new survey** of 1,200 of the insurance company's customers provides additional insight on travel trends for Turkey Day this year.
Most of the Thanksgiving travelers surveyed are staying stateside, with 82% of itineraries booked for domestic destinations and 18% for international trips. Allianz Partners-insured travelers are also thinking ahead as 41% reported booking their Thanksgiving travel one to three months in advance, and another 31% secured their plans four to six months out – an indication that Americans are prioritizing both cost savings and availability as the holiday season approaches.
Flying remains the dominant mode of transportation this Thanksgiving for Allianz Partners customers, with 74% of survey respondents taking to the skies, while 8% plan to rent a car, 2% will drive their own vehicles, and 6% intend to travel by train. The remaining 10% of respondents noted that they will be traveling by "other" modes of transportation. Many travelers are keeping their budgets modest as 35% expect to spend $1,000 or less on Thanksgiving-related travel. This may be because they're staying with family or friends and only covering transportation costs. This blend of practicality and connection underscores how Americans continue to prioritize togetherness, even as they navigate rising travel prices and busy holiday schedules.
"Americans are once again making Thanksgiving travel a priority, but they're also becoming savvier about how they plan," said Emily Hartman, General Manager at Allianz Partners USA. "More travelers are booking early, spending confidently, and protecting their trips with travel insurance to ensure they can focus on what matters most, time with loved ones, instead of worrying about potential disruptions."
Family connection continues to be at the heart of Thanksgiving travel. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents said they're traveling to visit loved ones, while 27% are seeking rest and relaxation, and 4% plan to celebrate holiday traditions elsewhere. Proximity to family and friends (59%) remains the leading factor in choosing a Thanksgiving destination, followed by cost (17%) and weather (10%).
Top Thanksgiving Destinations
Continuing its annual Thanksgiving tradition of uncovering where Americans are headed for the holiday, Allianz Partners found that New York City reigns as the ultimate Turkey Day destination for the fifth year running. Following closely are Seattle and Phoenix, where travelers will swap fall leaves for stunning skylines and desert sunsets. Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles round out the top five, while Orlando, Boston, Miami, and Chicago continue to draw crowds eager to feast, shop, and soak in the holiday spirit from coast to coast.
This Thanksgiving, there are some U.S. travelers redefining tradition – leaving behind the turkey and trimmings for beachside celebrations and metropolitan destinations around the globe. With a five-year streak in place, Mexico's Cancun, San Jose Del Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta were once again named the top three most popular international destinations. Meanwhile, Americans also are catching longer flights as they head across the pond to London (#4) and Paris (#6).
Allianz Partners offers travel insurance protection plans through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz Partners and available protection plans, please visit http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.
*Thanksgiving Destination Methodology: The data of U.S. travelers' 2025 Thanksgiving plans was gathered by analyzing the number of customers that went through the online booking process of airfare and package paths for partners offering Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance, to generate itineraries for roundtrip flights departing from U.S. airports from 11/22/2025 –11/27/2025, returning 11/28/2025 - 12/2/2025. In total, over 700K itineraries were analyzed using this methodology.
**Thanksgiving Travel Intent Methodology: 1,277 Allianz Travel Insurance customers with trip departure dates of 11/22/2025 - 11/27/2025 and return dates of 11/28/2025 - 12/2/2025 traveling at least 100 miles from home participated in the survey.
About Allianz Partners
In the United States, Allianz Partners (AGA Service Company) offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel protection, the company offers event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. AGA Service Company is doing business as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency in California (License # 0B01400) and Massachusetts. Allianz Partners is part of the Allianz Partners group. Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, mobility and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech, high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer peace of mind to our customers around the world.
For Allianz Partners products offered and sold in the U.S.: Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. Availability of coverage, including the epidemic-related benefits and covered reasons described here, varies by product and by state. Products may not include all benefits or covered reasons described here. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefits and limits vary by plan. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101‐C series or 101‐P series, depending on state of residence. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Except as otherwise specified, AGA Service Company d/b/a Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator of Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans in the U.S. and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance and Allyz® are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between Allianz Global Assistance and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance and assistance services. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by Allianz Global Assistance.
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SOURCE Allianz Partners