What is Travel Tuesday? Everything you need to know, plus the best deals and where our editors are travelling

While the term ‘Black Friday’, used to refer to the start of the busy post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas shopping rush, was coined in the US in the 1950s and 1960s, it entered most people’s vocabulary only during the digital age.

Even then, as videos surfaced of Americans clambering over each other to grab electronics, beauty items and usually unaffordable gifts at a steal, it took until the 2010s for the concept to truly catch on in the UK.

Now, Black Friday is a big deal on both sides of the pond. Black Friday first referred to just the last November of the month, but heavily discounted items now pop up on our screens well ahead of the actual day.

This extension of the festive sales period has coined new terms. First came ‘Cyber Monday’, a post-payday event devoted to bargains across the largest online shopping platforms.

Krabi, ThailandGetty Images

However, an increasing number of us value experiences over materialism, seeking out new destinations instead of the latest hairdryer in a reverse of the “Keeping up with the Joneses” mentality”. Enter Travel Tuesday – commercialism’s latest lovechild.

“Studies continue to show that people are more interested in spending on experiences over things. That’s true in everyday life and certainly around the holidays,” says Melanie Fish, vice president of Global Communications at Expedia Group.

What is Travel Tuesday?

The foundation of Travel Tuesday is accredited to Hopper, a travel platform used by millions globally. While special deals landed after Thanksgiving before the term was coined in 2017, it’s now a crucial part of the extended Black Friday weekend for those in the market for flights and hotel stays rather than electronics and gifts.

When is Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday always falls the Tuesday after Black Friday, which is the last Friday of November. In 2024, Travel Tuesday falls on Tuesday 3 December. In 2025, Travel Tuesday falls on Tuesday 2 December.

What are the best deals this Travel Tuesday?

• Expedia: You can save 30% on certain hotels when booking as a member for travel before 15 December 2025. This deal lasts until 4 December 2024.
• VRBO: If you book for one week or more, your price will drop by ~10%. This deal lasts until December 4.
• IHG: IHG One Rewards Members will save 25%, and everyone else will save 17% if booking by 3 December 2024 for travel before 30 April 2025. Additionally, IHG is offering 40% off Iberostar Beachfront Resorts and 500 bonus points for downloading their app.
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS): The airline is offering round-trip flights to Europe for as low as £314. This promotion will apply until 3 December 2024 on travel between 13 January 2024 and 30 April 2025.
• TAP Air Portugal: The airline is offering round-trip economy prices from the US to Europe starting at £282.
• Virgin Voyages: Richard Branson’s adults-only cruise line is offering up to 80% off the second sailor on sailings booked now.
• Abercrombie & Kent: The luxury travel planners have a variety of special offers on the docket, including a 5k per person credit on air booked through A&K. The 2024–25 Antarctica expeditions also include no single supplement and kids aged 7–18 cruising for free on this voyage.

Where the editors are booking this Travel Tuesday

Cowley Manor Experimental

Mr. Tripper