Christmas and New Year hotels: book now or wait?
Travelling over the holidays? Then you're probably asking the same question as thousands of other travelers: should you book your hotel right now, or wait for prices to drop? Book too early and you may pay more than you need to. Wait too long and the hotel you wanted could be fully booked.
The good news: figures published this autumn make things much clearer. And there's a simple method that means you don't have to choose.
New Year's Eve: the most expensive night of the year
According to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index 2026, published in June, New Year's Eve is the most expensive night of the entire year. January, by contrast, is the cheapest month, with prices dropping around 12 January.
A study published in October 2026 analysed searches by travelers departing from France for the 2026 holidays (stays from 19 December 2026 to 9 January 2027). The result: your check-in date really changes the price.
For Christmas, in France
- Cheapest check-in date: 21 December, around €93 per night
- That's 23% less than the most expensive date, 31 December
For New Year, in France
- Cheapest check-in date: 28 December, around €101 per night
- About 17% less than the 31 December peak
Abroad
- For Christmas: check in on 21 December, around €128 per night, 17% less than 26 December
- For New Year: check in on 1 January, around €127 per night
Waiting can lower the bill…
Two sets of data point the same way:
- According to the same study, last year travelers searching for a hotel in France one week before Christmas found rates about 18% lower than in October.
- According to Hotels.com, booking 0 to 7 days before arrival can cost up to 30% less than booking more than 4 months ahead. Booking 15 to 30 days ahead saves around 15%.
… but waiting carries a real risk
The study says it clearly: if you have a specific place in mind (a boutique hotel, a ski resort, a popular city centre), it's better to book early. Average prices may fall, but the best rooms disappear. Over the holidays, the most sought-after places are precisely the first to sell out.
✅ Pros / ❌ Cons
Option A: book now
✅ Pros
- You get your pick of hotels and rooms
- Essential for a popular place or a fixed date (31 December)
- Peace of mind, and you can plan the rest of your trip
❌ Cons
- You often pay more than last-minute bookers
- With a non-refundable rate, you can't benefit from a price drop
Option B: wait until the last minute
✅ Pros
- Up to 30% savings possible according to Hotels.com
- Worth it if your dates and destination are flexible
❌ Cons
- Limited choice, especially for New Year's Eve
- Stress, and the risk of paying more if the city is full
What this means for you: the "book, then recheck" method
You don't have to choose between the two. The best strategy combines the advantages of both:
- Book a free-cancellation rate now. You secure your room with no risk.
- Play with your dates: checking in on 21 December instead of the 26th, or on the 28th instead of the 31st, can cut the nightly price by 17 to 23%. Sunday is also the cheapest night of the week according to Hotels.com.
- Recheck the price before you leave. Rates change constantly. If the same hotel is cheaper, cancel and rebook at the lower price.
That's exactly what Prixofy does: it compares your hotel price across several sites for free, then reminds you to recheck it 14, 7 and 3 days before your stay. If the price has already dropped, here's what you can do.
Key takeaway: New Year's Eve is the most expensive night of the year. Book early, but always with a refundable rate, choose your check-in date carefully (21 or 28 December in France), then recheck the price before you leave.
Plan your holiday trip
- 🏨 Hotel: compare your hotel price across several sites and get a reminder before your stay.
- 🎟️ Activities in France: cruises, tours and end-of-year outings with Klook.
- 🚕 Transfers: taxis are hard to find on New Year's Eve. Book your transfer in advance.
- 📱 Going abroad? Stay connected with an Airalo or Saily eSIM. Not sure which one? Read our Airalo or Saily comparison.
What do you think?
Have you already booked your hotel for the holidays, or are you waiting for prices to drop? Tell us in the comments which strategy you chose.
Sources
- Study "Vacances de Noël depuis la France : économiser en 2026", KAYAK, 13 October 2026 (updated 19 October 2026)
- Hotels.com / Expedia Group, "Hotel Price Index 2026: reprendre la main sur son budget voyage", 9 June 2026: https://www.expedia.com/newsroom/hotel-price-index-2026-reprendre-la-main-sur-son-budget-voyage-ix-selon-hotels-com/
Your take
For your holiday hotel, what's your plan?
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