Black Friday Travel Deals 2025: Why This Is the Best Time to Plan Your Next Trip (and How to Save Big)

Most people think Black Friday is only about TVs, gadgets and clothes—but in reality, it’s one of the smartest moments to book trips, flights, hotels and travel experiences.

Here’s why:

• Travel companies compete heavily in November, which means the biggest discounts of the entire year.

• Autumn in Europe is calm, kids are back in school, airports are less crowded, destinations breathe again.

• It’s the perfect season to plan winter city breaks, ski weekends, spring getaways and long-haul adventures for later in the year.

• Many deals apply not just to Europe but to destinations worldwide — Asia, Canada, the US, South America.

• Even if you’re a last-minute traveler (like me 😄), this is an opportunity to lock in something beautiful without overpaying.

People who plan early save more —
People who travel spontaneously still save a lot, if they grab deals when they appear.

Either way…
Black Friday = smart travel planning.

Autumn is magical for travelers:

• Fewer crowds

• Cheaper hotels

• Calmer airports

• Better weather for city destinations

• Beautiful scenery (Dolomites, Alps, Austria, Switzerland)

• Perfect for wellness weekends and spa breaks

While summer is all about beaches and winter is all about skiing…
Autumn is the sweet spot for exploring “dream destinations without chaos.”

And Black Friday fits PERFECTLY into this rhythm.

Depending on the continent and distance:

• Plane? And Rentacar?

• Train?

• Bus?

• Car?

Sometimes plane tickets are cheaper than fuel.
Sometimes a train is faster than flying.
Sometimes a bus is more scenic and relaxing.

Use trusted travel tools I personally recommend:

• Trip.com – great for flight deals

• Expedia Flights – top hotels + flights bundles

• Kiwitaxi / GetTransfer – easy airport transfers

• Welcome Pickups / DiscoverCars – affordable car hire worldwide

• Omio - Buses, Trains,...

How to quickly calculate transport costs

The easiest ways to check which option is cheaper:

1) ChatGPT

Just write your route + fuel price + car consumption and it calculates everything for you
(fuel, tolls, total cost, time).

Example:

“Calculate the cost of driving from Ljubljana to Milan, 6.5L/100km, fuel €1.55.”

2) Google Maps

Shows distance, toll roads and travel time.
Use distance × your fuel consumption × fuel price → instant estimate.

3) ViaMichelin

Best for car trips: calculates fuel + tolls + motorway fees with one click.

Weather can completely change your trip — in the best or the worst way.

Imagine this in real life — on one side of the mountain it’s sunshine, warm air and a perfect drive…
and just a few minutes later you hit snow, fog, cold wind and a full storm.

I filmed this on Grossglockner, and the change was unbelievable.
Here’s the reel if you want to see how fast the weather can turn:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oGVC1dOZVrY

It happens faster than you think — especially in autumn.

That’s why checking the weather isn’t just a detail.
It’s a part of smart travel.

• Airport parking gets expensive

• Transfers make life easier

• Use airport transfer promo (TRIPTRANSFER5)

Also:
If you're driving to the airport, always check the private parking lots around the airport.
They are usually much cheaper than official airport parking, and most of them already include free shuttle transfer to the terminal.

We’ve used these many times and honestly — it's one of the easiest ways to save money without losing comfort.

• passport validity

• visas

• pet vaccination (if traveling with dogs)

There is nothing worse than realising one day before your trip that your passport has expired — or will expire soon — and you can’t renew it instantly.

Your entire holiday can fall apart because of something so small, so please check this well in advance.

Many people forget this until the last minute.

If you’re traveling with your dog, this step is absolutely essential.
Not every hotel is pet-friendly — far from it.

A lot of hotels accept dogs…
A lot don’t.
Some charge extra fees.
Some allow pets only in specific room types.
And many destinations have strict regulations for pets.

I already wrote a full guide about how to fly with your dog in the cabin, where I explain everything step-by-step — you can read it here:
👉 https://www.by-firefly.com/fly-with-your-dog-in-the-cabin

Every destination treats pets differently

From my own experience:

🇮🇹 Italy – Extremely pet-friendly.
Dogs are welcome almost everywhere… even inside shops.

🇦🇪 Dubai – Very strict.
Pet rules are complicated, hotels are picky, and paperwork takes time.

🇹🇭 Thailand – Fewer pet-friendly options.

You need to search more carefully and always double-check hotel policies.

So yes — pet-friendliness depends heavily on the country, culture, and local laws.

Before booking a hotel, always check:

✔️ If pets are allowed (and what size/breed).
✔️ Additional pet fees (some charge per night).
✔️ Whether dogs can stay alone in the room — many hotels forbid this.
✔️ Where dogs are allowed on the property (restaurant, pool, beach).
✔️ If you have special needs, always contact the hotel directly.

Some destinations even offer dedicated dog hotels.
For example, at Rome Fiumicino Airport, there is a pet hotel right at the airport, which is incredibly useful for long travel days.

Firefly tip

Arriving at a hotel that doesn’t accept pets is one of the worst travel nightmares — it can ruin your entire trip.
Check this early, especially if you’re traveling internationally.

• official site

• Booking.com

• Trip.com

• Expedia.com

• Agoda.com

• Hotels.com

• Vrbo

You’d be surprised how different prices can be.

Not just the good ones.
Search for:

• cleanliness

• noise

• heating/AC

• location

• staff

• breakfast quality

Sometimes the unexpected becomes the highlight!

Like when we visited the Dolomites. We stayed near Bolzano and honestly… the town didn’t impress me at first.

But then we discovered the Ötzi Museum — the 5,300-year-old ice mummy, perfectly preserved.
It turned into one of the most fascinating experiences ever.
Every city hides a story.
Every destination has a soul.

Every place has:

• local food

• hidden corners

• markets

• museums

• seasonal events

A quick search can turn an average weekend into something unforgettable.

You can do:

• daily itineraries

• packing lists

• budgets

• links

• maps

And if you have no idea what to do… AI makes magic.
(Trust me.)

Not overpacking — just smart packing.

• a warm layer

• one spare outfit

• meds

• chargers

• power bank

• refillable bottle

• snacks for kids

• dog essentials

And everything else you can always buy there.

Most travelers don’t realize how massive the savings can be during Black Friday.
Here are real, average numbers across major travel platforms:

• Flights: 15–60% off

• Hotels: 30–70% off

• Airport transfers: 5–15% off

• Tours & activities: 10–40% off

• Packages (flight + hotel): up to $300 off (Trip.com)

• Car rentals: 20–50% off

For a family trip, that can easily mean $400–$900 saved.
For solo or couple travel — $150–$400 saved, depending on destination.

So even if you're traveling last minute (like me 😄), grabbing the deal now means you’re not overpaying later.

Here’s where Black Friday discounts really shine:

1. 1. City breaks (Vienna, Paris, Rome, Madrid)

2. 2. Island escapes (Thailand, Canary Islands, Bali)

3. 3. Wellness & spa weekends

4. 4. Christmas markets across Europe

5. 5. Desert tours & safaris (Dubai, Morocco)

6. 6. Ski trips (Dolomites, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia)

7. 7. Long-haul adventures (Japan, Canada, US West Coast)

8. 8. Romantic getaways

9. 9. Family theme-park trips (Disney, Europa-Park, PortAventura, Gardaland, Mirabilandia)

10. 10. Work-from-abroad trips (Portugal, Thailand, Bali, Dubai)

These categories always see Black Friday price drops — because they’re the most searched and most booked.

Short answer: yes — if you book smart.

Black Friday deals are worth it when:

• your travel dates are flexible

• you’re open to new destinations

• you compare prices on at least 2 platforms

• you check hotel reviews before booking

• flash sales match your preferred region (Asia deals are CRAZY good this year)

They’re less worth it when:

• you’re locked to extremely specific dates

• you’re traveling during Christmas week (peak)

• the discount is small and doesn’t add value

But in general, global travel brands keep their best discounts for Black Friday — because competition is insane.

Based on booking data from Trip.com, Skyscanner, Google Travel and Viator:

• Asia is exploding again — Japan, Thailand & Bali strongest demand

• European city breaks remain the #1 quick getaway

• Wellness & spa travel is trending globally

• Digital nomad destinations: Portugal, Thailand, Mexico, Dubai

• Sustainable travel and slow travel grow every year

• Shorter, frequent trips instead of one big holiday

Black Friday is aligned perfectly with all these trends.

Here’s how you know the deal is REAL:

✔ hotel has a consistent price drop across several sites
✔ discount applies on multiple dates, not only one
✔ you see price history (Google Travel shows this!)
✔ reviews stay good even during sale
✔ no hidden fees in the final step
✔ transfer and baggage fees are visible

Here’s how you spot a fake deal:

✘ “70% off” but final price is the same as last month
✘ the original price is artificially inflated
✘ lots of hidden fees at checkout
✘ terrible reviews
✘ limited availability to only one hotel room category

(…and a few bonus ones, because I can’t help myself)

1. Chamonix & Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc, France)

If you want a destination that feels like stepping straight into a postcard — Chamonix is it.
Snowy peaks, cozy cafés with glacier views and the legendary gondola ride to Aiguille du Midi?
Pure magic. ✨

It’s also one of those rare places where you can feel winter and summer in the same hour.

2. Dubai, UAE

Modern, bold and unbelievably safe.
Perfect for digital nomads, couples, families — anyone who wants beaches, luxury, desert adventures, top-tier hotels and amazing food.

There’s a reason I keep going back. Always. ✨

Travel isn’t just about flights and hotels.
It’s about stories, memories, little surprises and quiet moments, when you realize you’re somewhere beautiful.

Black Friday simply makes it easier — and cheaper — to make these trips happen.

So if you want to save…
if you want to plan smarter…
if you want to travel with more freedom…

…this is your moment. ✨

Grab a deal, explore the world, shine bright.
Firefly-style. 🐝✨