You might think it’s early to start thinking about summer travel, but this isn’t the year to wait if you want to save. Americans are starting to plan their summer trips – and they will travel.
Three out of four Americans are planning a trip this summer, according to a study by Booking.com.
It will also be expensive. Fortunately, prices aren’t as high as last year because airlines have built up spare capacity, said Haley Berg, lead economist for travel app Hopper. But prices will remain above pre-pandemic levels because still-high demand and inflation continue to push them up.
A domestic round-trip ticket will cost an average of $350 — up 10 percent from 2019, Berg said. International travel will also be more expensive than previous years, she said, as many international destinations, such as Japan, are now open.
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“Inflation, higher prices, any headwind you can throw Americans’ way hasn’t stopped them from prioritizing travel, in some cases spending more than they did before,” she said.
USA TODAY spoke with top travel industry experts to get their tips on when to book summer travel and how to find the best deals.
Should I book a summer trip now?
It depends. Berg recommends that people wait until the sweet spot to book travel: one to two months before their departure date if they’re traveling domestically. Hopper data shows prices are higher in mid-March and are expected to drop as summer approaches.
But what you can do is start planning now, she said. Find out potential travel dates and destinations and use a price tracker that alerts you when flights are the cheapest, which many travel platforms like Hopper and KAYAK have.
For international travel, it’s time to get ready to book. Berg said three to four months in advance is when the best prices are available for international flights.
“Don’t call it too close,” said Jake Bouvry, chief economist at travel booking platform KAYAK. “Prices skyrocket as we approach June.” According to data from KAYAK, prices have risen by 29% to visit the usual popular European destinations, such as London and Paris, during the peak season of June, July and August.
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When is the cheapest time to travel in summer?
As usual, peak season travel costs will be highest. “Consider traveling during the season” to find the lowest prices, Bouvry said.
According to KAYAK research, if travelers book a flight for the previous season (the period between peak and off-season), travelers could save up to 24% if they book a flight to the Caribbean and 27% to Europe. KAYAK researchers found April to have the most affordable prices for Europe. The destinations with the best deals are London, Reykjavik and Madrid.
On the other hand, Berg recommended booking this European getaway for September and October. “Late summer is pretty much the best time to travel to Europe,” she said. “Prices drop in early June until they bottom out in September and October.” (Avoid August, she added, as Europeans tend to take their own vacations that month, so many shops and restaurants will be closed.)
Here are the previous seasons for international destinations when travelers can score lower prices, according to KAYAK:
- Asia: Before the end of April and October
- Central America: May
- South Pacific: April to May
- North America: September to October
- Africa: September to November
- Middle East: August to September
- Northern South America: Before the end of April and September
- Southern South America: April to May and September to October
How long does it take to get a US passport?
If you are traveling abroad and need a passport, start moving as soon as possible as the waiting time for a passport has expired.
As of February, the processing time to obtain a passport increased to eight to 11 weeks for routine service and five to seven weeks for expedited service.
It usually takes six to nine weeks for routine service and three to five weeks for expedited service (not counting mailing time).
Should we expect major travel disruptions this summer?
“I expect the majority of outages overall for the rest of this year will be weather-related,” Berg said. There may be “bumps” in the road due to new airline and security line workers as the industry recently went through a hiring spurt to keep up with demand. “That means more mistakes can happen,” she said.
Tips for summer tragood
- “My number one recommendation is to remain flexible and open to adjusting your travel dates,” said Axel Heffer, CEO of trivago. For example, traveling on a weekday will be cheaper than on a weekend.
- Consider staying in alternative destinations that are just outside the main tourist cities to save money on lodging, Heffer said.
- Avoid traveling during the Fourth of July, as it “always ranks among the most expensive times to fly,” Bouvry said. The week before major holidays is usually much cheaper.
- If peak season is the only time you can travel, as it is for many people on school schedules, then “later in the summer is best,” Berg said.
- Don’t book at the last minute because then the prices are usually quite expensive and you probably don’t have many options.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter based in Hawaii. She can be reached at [email protected]