New Year abroad 2025–2026: where Ukrainians can go and how to save money on travel

New Year abroad has become more difficult for Ukrainians due to the war, but warm countries and Christmas markets in Europe are still accessible. Find out where you can actually go in the winter of 2025–2026, how much time and money the trip will take, and how to plan your travels more profitably

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Before the full-scale invasion, winter holidays were synonymous with travel for many Ukrainians: Christmas markets in Europe, ski resorts, a week at the seaside, or just a few days away from it all. Now, the picture has changed significantly. As UNIAN writes, citing tour operator Join UP!, martial law and general fatigue in society have made New Year's trips more of an exception than a mass trend.

Some companies do not give long weekends, the military cannot leave their positions, some people cannot afford it or are in poor health, and some are simply not allowed to travel abroad. For many, it has become more important to spend the holidays at home with their families, especially if there is a chance to see relatives who have returned from the front.

At the same time, the demand for travel has not disappeared — it has simply shifted in time and changed format.

When do Ukrainians now most often go on vacation?

According to Join UP!, the winter tourist season is no longer strictly tied to December 31 and January 1. The peak of demand has shifted:

● to the days before the holidays (November, early December, school holidays);

● to mid-January and February, when families plan vacations with their children after the main holidays.

The tour operator's main customers are women who work hard and want to “recharge” for at least a week. Often these are mothers with children, accompanied by grandmothers, sisters, or friends. Their request is simple: warmth, relatively inexpensive, and without unnecessary logistical adventures.

Incidentally, to reduce the stress of traveling to the border and changing trains, more and more people are combining different modes of transport: bus, train, plane, or private transfer. It is convenient when this can be done through a single service, such as the Visit Ukraine platform. It offers ticket booking systems for all types of transport and the option to book transfers between cities in Ukraine and Europe — this saves time and helps avoid “dead” connections.

Why is it more profitable to travel before or after the holidays?

The tourism business operates according to its own logic: where there is a “peak,” there are the highest prices. That is why Join UP! notes that it is more profitable to travel before or after the New Year, rather than from December 28 to January 5–7. A striking example is Egypt:

● until about the 20th of December, hotels and tour operators offer significant discounts;

● In January–February, prices are also lower than during the “hot” New Year period.

● Weather conditions are comfortable: +20...+25°C during the day, which is much more pleasant than the winter cold in Ukraine.

In other words, those who are willing to adjust their plans slightly and not stick to December 31 can enjoy significant savings without compromising on the quality of their vacation.

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Affordable exotic destinations: where Ukrainians fly to for warmth

Among those who, despite all the difficulties, still manage to get abroad, the most popular winter destinations remain warm, relatively affordable, and understandable in terms of vacation format.

Egypt: a proven “classic”

● Resorts: Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam.

Pros: all-inclusive system, understandable infrastructure, shorter flights compared to distant exotic countries. In the pre-New Year period, hotels often offer lucrative promotions and discounts, while the service does not decline.

One thing to keep in mind is Russian tourists. There are usually a lot of them in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, but Ukrainian tourists say there are way fewer of them in Marsa Alam.

UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the Kids Go Free program

The United Arab Emirates remains a popular winter destination thanks to:

● direct flights from Chisinau;

● modern infrastructure;

● family programs, including Kids go free, where one child can fly and stay for free (under certain tour conditions).

This destination is more popular among those who are willing to spend a little more but want a comfortable city break with shopping malls, amusement parks, and temperatures significantly higher than those in Ukraine in winter.

Zanzibar: exoticism that has become “our own”

Zanzibar has remained a favorite “accessible exotic destination” for Ukrainians for several years:

● there are SkyUp charter flights;

● the destination has been actively developing since 2019, and tours resumed in 2023;

● Hotels are geared towards European guests — lots of European cuisine, adapted service;

● Nearby are safari parks where you can see giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

A pleasant bonus for many is the minimal likelihood of encountering Russian tourists, unlike some other exotic destinations.

Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Maldives: more expensive, but a dream destination

In January and February, more “cardboard” destinations are gaining popularity: the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Those who can afford it go there:

● a vacation of 1.5–2 weeks (taking into account the journey, which takes up to a day or more);

● long flights and more complicated connections.

An important nuance: the UAE, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are actively working on the Russian market, so Ukrainians for whom this is a key factor should take this into account when choosing a country and hotel.

Why a trip to Europe for the holidays has become an “epic”

Until 2022, flying to Europe for a few days was easy: a 2–3 hour direct flight and you were at a Christmas market in any EU country. Now, every such trip for Ukrainians is a separate logistical project. Just to get to a neighboring country, you often have to:

● spend 12 hours to a day on the road;

● spend an average of about 2,000 UAH per person just for the first stage to the border or the nearest hub.

If you don't limit yourself to Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, or Moldova and travel further into Europe, the costs increase:

● a few more hours on the road;

● plus 1,500–2,000 UAH or more for each subsequent section of the route.

The budget option is without overnight stays in intermediate cities and without “extra” stops.

In fact, a “three-four day trip to Europe” no longer seems rational: to get at least a little rest and see something, you need at least a week, plus money for travel, accommodation, and food.

What other Christmas markets in Europe can you still catch?

Despite the complex logistics, some Ukrainians are still planning a winter trip to Europe — mostly for a week and with a clear itinerary. Among the ideas suggested by UNIAN:

1. Wrocław, Poland. One of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Poland. Advantages for Ukrainians:

● relatively close to the border;

● can be reached from western regions in less than a day;

● the fair runs until January 7 — there is still time to plan a trip.

2. Brasov, Romania. The Christmas market here also runs until January 7, 2025, and offers a very authentic Christmas atmosphere:

● performances by folk groups;

● local dishes;

● prices are roughly the same as in Ukraine.

3. Budapest, Hungary. This season, the fair is open until January 5, and the Christmas village in Budapest has been repeatedly named one of the best in Europe:

● thousands of lights, light installations, and projections;

● handmade souvenirs;

● national cuisine and hot drinks.

4. Cologne, Germany. Germany is considered the birthplace of modern Christmas markets, and Cologne's is one of the most famous:

● the city is literally immersed in a festive atmosphere;

● many locations, markets, and installations.

But there is an important detail: most Christmas markets in Germany close on December 23, so it is worth planning your trip here in advance. And you need to be prepared for a journey lasting one and a half to two days from Ukraine.

5. Innsbruck, Austria. An Alpine city that looks like a postcard in winter:

● Creative festive lighting;

● Fairs with local delicacies and hot drinks.

As in Germany, most Austrian fairs close on December 23.

6. Tallinn, Estonia. The Christmas market is open until December 27, and here you can experience a “northern Christmas”:

● the old town is one of the best preserved in Europe;

● a fairytale atmosphere, especially if you are lucky with snow.

7. Lisbon, Portugal. For those who want European warmth for the holidays:

● mild climate;

● incredible views of fireworks from observation decks;

● mass celebrations on Commerce Square on New Year's Eve;

● according to tradition, at midnight, the Portuguese eat 12 raisins “for good luck.”

The local Christmas market is open until January 6, 2025, but the journey from Ukraine to Lisbon is long and expensive.

It is also worth considering the factor of Russian tourists: most of them are in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, and Hungary. Poland, Romania, and the Baltic countries, on the other hand, remain relatively “calm” in this regard.

Early booking as a gift “under the Christmas tree”

Another trend noted by Join UP! at the end of 2024 is the return of early booking. As early as October 2024, the company began receiving the first requests for summer vacations in 2025. Ukrainians are choosing Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Montenegro and booking tours in advance, taking advantage of reduced prices and flexible payment terms.

In fact, for many, this has become a new format for a “Christmas tree” gift: you haven't left yet, but you already have a planned vacation, which provides moral support in difficult times.

And in order not to drown in the chaos of routes, connections, and transfers, it is worth using services where you can gather all the logistics into one chain. Visit Ukraine has a ticket booking system for trains, buses, planes, and transfers between cities in Ukraine and Europe — this helps you plan even complex trips so that the journey doesn't take all your energy before your vacation even begins.

We remind you! Lonely Planet has selected nine European cities that best convey the spirit of the New Year holidays. Fireworks, concerts, festivals, and festive cuisine — find your ideal place to celebrate 2026 in this selection.

Photo: Pexels

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