Valentine’s Day Weekend Travel Costs Surge 30 Percent

Hotels are around 30 percent more expensive on average during Valentine’s weekend compared to the following weekend, according to a recent analysis by the Saily team. Reviewing accommodation prices across the world’s most popular Valentine’s Day destinations, the study found that peak demand around February 14 consistently pushes rates higher, with some locations seeing increases of up to 60 percent, while availability for headline attractions and experiences disappears weeks in advance.

The price gap isn’t limited to hotels. Flight prices also surge sharply around Valentine’s Day, particularly on transatlantic routes popular with U.S. travelers. For example, a round trip flight from New York City to Paris costs around €505 ($597) the weekend before Valentine’s Day, jumps to €1159 during Valentine’s weekend, and drops again to 689€ the weekend after highlighting how tightly demand concentrates around February 14.

“When millions of people plan trips for the same dates, prices rise fast and availability disappears even faster. Couples often accept that premium because celebrating on the exact day carries emotional weight, but in the world’s most romantic cities, that surge quickly translates into overcrowding and inflated prices,” said Matas Cenys, head of product at Saily.

Based on price comparisons and availability checks, these five destinations stand out as the most expensive and most overcrowded places to celebrate Valentine’s Day:

Paris

Often crowned the world’s most romantic city, Paris becomes nearly impossible to navigate on Valentine’s weekend. Accommodation prices are at least 30 percent higher than surrounding February dates, with many centrally located hotels already sold out weeks in advance. At the same time, iconic experiences traditionally associated with a romantic Paris getaway including Crazy Horse, Moulin Rouge, and the Dior Museum had no remaining tickets available two weeks ahead of Valentine’s Day, leaving little room for last minute or spontaneous plans.

Venice

Venice’s limited capacity makes Valentine’s weekend particularly challenging for couples seeking classic romantic experiences. With demand peaking, waiting times for gondola rides increase, and visitors can find themselves standing outdoors for extended periods before getting on the water. When February weather is cold or wet, the experience can be uncomfortable and once the ride is over, warming up again isn’t always easy, especially in crowded areas around St. Mark’s and the Grand Canal. Combined with higher accommodation prices and reduced availability, even Venice’s most iconic romantic ritual can feel far less effortless on Valentine’s weekend.

Rome

Rome’s romance doesn’t disappear on Valentine’s Day, but it becomes far less intimate. Accommodation prices rise noticeably for the Valentine’s weekend, while restaurants across the historic center replace regular menus with fixed, premium priced Valentine’s offerings. Crowding peaks around the city’s most iconic landmarks, to the point where getting close to the Trevi Fountain or even seeing it properly can be difficult due to the density of visitors. In the beginning of February, Rome even introduced a €2 access fee for visitors who want to get close to the iconic fountain, a new measure aimed at managing extreme crowds and helping preserve the landmark. The result is a trip where travelers pay peak prices, only to experience Rome’s highlights at their busiest.

New York City

In New York City, Valentine’s weekend turns availability into a race. Summit One Vanderbilt’s sunset experience is already sold out, and many of the city’s most sought after rooftop restaurants are fully booked well ahead of that lovable Saturday. As prime experiences disappear, remaining options often come with higher prices, later time slots, or fixed Valentine’s menus. For couples, the most in demand moments like skyline views at golden hour, Broadway shows, or last minute cocktails with a view are exactly what sell out first.

Maldives

The Maldives offers one of the clearest illustrations of how Valentine’s demand translates directly into higher costs. Around Valentine’s weekend, accommodation prices rise alongside peak season restrictions, including minimum stay requirements at many resorts. At the same time, experiences designed specifically for couples such as candlelit beach dinners, private dining setups, couples’ spa rituals, and sunset cruises are often priced significantly higher than during other February dates and are available in limited numbers. Even after securing accommodation, couples frequently face an additional premium to book the experiences that define a Valentine’s stay.

Price Spikes are the Rule, Not the Exception

The price comparison confirms that Valentine’s weekend is consistently the most expensive point in February. Across destinations, accommodation rates were around 30 percent higher on average, with 50-60 percent increases common in high demand, centrally located hotels.

“Valentine’s Day travel is a classic example of how timing can dramatically affect both price and experience. Romantic destinations often become the least flexible and most expensive precisely when demand peaks,” Cenys added.

Top 10 Most Popular Valentine’s Day Destinations

While the cities above stand out for the sharpest price increases and limited availability, these destinations remain among the most searched and booked locations for Valentine’s Day travel:

Paris
Venice
Rome
New York City
Maldives
London
Prague
Vienna
Barcelona
Santorini

The findings suggest that for couples willing to celebrate a week earlier or later, the same destinations can offer a dramatically different and far more affordable experience.

About Saily

Saily is an affordable and secure travel eSIM app that helps people to manage mobile and internet connections from anywhere in the world. Saily was created by the experts behind NordVPN.

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