Summer travelling, with its promise of sun-kissed days and balmy evenings, holds the key to great travel memories. The window to save on summer airfare is currently open, and searches for summer vacations are up year over year for both flights and hotels, according to the Expedia Summer Travel Outlook.
Summer Travel Destinations & Hotspots
According to the report, major cities like New York and London, as well as beach resorts like Cancun and Honolulu, are among the top destinations luring tourists from the United States. New York and London rank highest among all domestic summer travel destinations. Significant year-over-year increases are also visible at popular beach locations in Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as in key international cities in Europe and Asia. As Japan is the most popular travel destination in the United States all year round, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto rank among the cities with the fastest summer growth.
With Paris and the surrounding territories gearing up to host a big global sports event in late July, France is also a summertime destination. Paris is one of the most sought-after international travel locations for Americans this year, ranking among the top travel destinations overall. The City of Lights and its environs are drawing even more attention in late July and early August as they get ready to host a significant international sporting event. Expedia’s data shows that over these dates, there was a significant spike in searches for lodging in cities like Yvelines (+520%), Lyon (+310%), and Marseille (+200%).
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When To Fly & Book Tickets?
As the days lengthen and the temperatures rise, summer beckons us to venture beyond the familiar. So, when to fly so that the cheapest tickets can be grabbed?
Being adaptable is essential, and avoiding the most popular travel days can save money and time. Late June is often the busiest and most costly period to fly, according to 2023 air demand. August, on the other hand, has the lowest average ticket costs of the season and the fewest crowds. Expedia’s historical flight data indicates that, whether you’re travelling domestically or abroad, the best time to book summer flights is between 21 and 60 days in advance of departure. Take off on a Tuesday for domestic travel, or a Monday for overseas travel. When compared to those who left on Thursday and Friday, travellers saved about 15%. The worst time to book is more than 90 days in advance for international travel and less than a week for domestic travel.
So, let us heed the siren call of summer, with its promise of adventure and discovery with cheap tickets?
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