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Group trips are stuck in the chat. Here’s why it might pay to finally book one.
Group chats are where trips often begin. But the vast majority never make it beyond that chat.
Eighty-four percent of American travelers have seen a group trip dwell in chat limbo for months without being booked, according to new data from KAYAK.
But there may be a good reason to finally turn “we should” into “we booked.”
Vacation rental search data shows the average price for vacation rentals for groups of five or more has fallen 12% compared to last year, while searches for properties of this size are up 20% over the same period.
In other words, more travelers are looking to get the group together, and doing it could come with some savings.
Can group travel help cut costs?
Dividing accommodations, rental car prices, gas and even food amongst friends can unlock significant savings. Traveling with five people requires five calendars, five opinions and at least one person who refuses to answer the poll. With travel costs higher than last year, Americans are finding smart ways to make their getaways happen:
- 25% are traveling with a group to share the costs.
- 31% are opting for cheaper accommodations.
- 36% are choosing more affordable destinations.
That large villa overlooking the ocean looks a lot less intimidating once the nightly rate is divided five, six or more ways.
The trick is knowing where to go.
The best value destinations for group getaways
KAYAK’s ranking of vacation rentals for five travelers or more highlights where groups can share a vacation rental for some of the lowest per-person costs.
Top 5 US best value destinations for a group of 5+ travelers:
Here are the top five best value destinations in the U.S. for a group of five travelers, along with the average price per person per night:
KAYAK
Vegas for five? Maybe not such a gamble. At an average price of $157, Las Vegas comes out as KAYAK’s lowest-priced U.S. destination, followed by Myrtle Beach at $243 for beach lovers, while Nashville gives groups looking for live music and a shared place to stay another more wallet-friendly option.
Pricey destinations don’t always stay pricey when the bill is split. The number that matters isn’t the sticker price but the per-person cost.
Top 10 best value international destinations for a group of 5+ travelers
Here are the top 10 best value international destinations for a group of five travelers, along with the average price per person per night:
KAYAK
International group travelers can find particularly strong value in Oranjestadt, where the average vacation-rental cost is $207 per person. Athens, Madrid, Tokyo, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Rome combine major cultural attractions with shared experiences.
If your group trip has spent the last six months collecting thumbs-up emojis instead of confirmation numbers, now might be the time to pick the dates.
Methodology
The results are based on vacation rental searches made on KAYAK and associated brands in the period between March 1, 2026, and June 11, 2026, for travel days between July 1, 2026, and Dec. 31, 2026. They were compared to the same search and travel period in 2025. All prices are the average cost per person, for one room and night in vacation rentals for groups of five or more. Prices may vary and are subject to change.
This story was produced by KAYAK and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
