Americans are excited about their spring break vacation.
About half of adult travelers recently surveyed by travel booking app Hopper expect to travel more this spring and summer than in 2023.
But this isn't the lifestyle of the rich and famous jetting off to private jets, luxury yachts, and remote islands. Hailey Berg, chief economist at Hopper, said that nearly 90% of travelers this spring are considering price and affordability top of mind when planning a trip.
I consulted several travel experts about the best ways to save on spring and summer travel, and the overall consensus was that traveling this year is cheaper than a year ago.
What I also discovered is that while travelers are frugal, they are realistic about how much they will spend on a vacation. According to Hopper's research, three-quarters of people planning a trip in the next few months expect to spend the same amount or more than they did last year. For about half of travelers, their rough budget starts from $1,000.
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cheaper flights
Domestic and Caribbean airfares are lower than they were during spring break last year, according to Hopper data. There are also more sales for spring travel than in past years.
Overall, airfares fell 3% for the March holiday and 8% for the April holiday, according to KAYAK researchers. This drop isn't spectacular, but it's better than most.
Hopper said holiday tickets in March and April averaged $256 per domestic round-trip ticket, down 2% from this time last year and 11% below 2019 prices.
Prices for trips to the Caribbean and Mexico in particular are below last year, with trips to the Antilles down 9% to an average of $379 per ticket, and trips to Mexico and Central America averaging $447 per ticket. It fell 11%.
For those taking long-haul trips to Europe, fares are 7% cheaper than last year, averaging $640 per round-trip ticket for departures in March and April.
plan ahead
While many travelers pay lip service to budget, nearly eight in 10 survey respondents said they have not yet booked a spring or summer trip, Berg said.
Please listen carefully. One of the best ways to save on travel costs is to avoid making last-minute reservations. To get the best deals, she needs to buy tickets at least a month in advance, but two months is best, she said.
Summer travelers, we're here to talk to you. The time has come for cracks to appear.
Spring Break Hotels Less Likely to Cut Vacations
Hotel prices remain high, so don't expect to find too many bargains this year, especially at the 11th hour. Early reservations may be your best bet.
“To get the best rate, you should book your hotel stay 10 to 14 days before check-in,” says Berg.
According to Hopper research, the national average nightly rate for hotels during spring break averages $242, but for travelers looking for more budget-friendly accommodations, there are accommodations as low as $154 per night. I know I can find it.
Spring break vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico are especially expensive. According to Hopper's pro, hotels in Cancun cost an average of $339 per night, while hotels in Punta Cana cost him closer to $500 per night. In London he averages $440 per night, in Florence he averages $466, and his trotter room rates are similarly high.
What day will you travel?
If you can book a flight to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can save nearly 40% on round-trip airfare compared to a weekend departure.
An Expedia spokesperson told Yahoo Finance, “Even travelers tied to school schedules can potentially save money and time by avoiding the busiest travel days.” . She added that for those with flexible schedules, traveling during the last week of April should be half as busy and less expensive than March and the remaining weeks of April. .
Monday return rules. For a three-day weekend trip within the United States, you can save an average of nearly $40 per ticket by leaving on Saturday and returning on Monday. Adding another day will save you just under $50 per ticket if you leave on Friday and return on Monday.
where people are heading
Dallas and Austin are some of the U.S. cities with the largest year-over-year growth in air searches, according to Expedia. One draw to the Lone Star State in April: For stargazers, if you're in Austin on April 8, you'll be watching the first total solar eclipse in North America since 2017, and the last until 2044. You might even see a solar eclipse.
Cancun, Punta Cana, and Mexico City are at the top of Expedia's list of hot international destinations. Tokyo's cherry blossoms remain a big draw for American travelers heading overseas, but some are looking to enjoy spring in Paris before the summer crowds flock to Tokyo for the Olympics.
Where are the bargains?
According to KAYAK's latest roundup for March, the cheapest destinations in the US are: Baltimore, average airfare $265. Nashville, $277. and Chicago, $288.
For those looking to travel abroad, Toronto is the most affordable destination this month. The average airfare is $303. Guadalajara, Mexico, $336. and Montreal, $361.
Other cities with double-digit year-over-year decreases in airfares in March and April include:
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St. Croix and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
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Punta Gorda, Florida
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Vail and Aspen, Colorado
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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San Diego, California
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sydney, australia
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nassau, bahamas
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reykjavik, iceland
when you go
The standard advice to travel during shoulder season for real deals never goes out of style.
“When you travel is really important,” Katherine Prather, president of the National Tour Association, told Yahoo Finance.
Shoulder season is typically late spring and early fall between September and Thanksgiving. So while it seems like a dream to go snorkeling in the Caribbean during spring break, for example, from May until early November he visits Bath Island, where the villa rental and airfare costs his 4 minutes. 1 will suffice. Even if you miss the supermodels and La D'yachts, you can still enjoy your private beach and gourmet French restaurants without the crowds. Plus, you might earn a free car rental with your villa rental.
“Every destination has peak visitor times, and you should aim for the months just before or after those times,” Prather says. “If you're visiting a destination where cruises depart regularly, try to arrive on the day your cruise departs, as there will be more hotel rooms available that night.”
Tap on price tracker
Once you've decided on your destination, or several destinations you're considering, set up an airfare price tracker. If you see a decline, go for it. Airline prices change all the time.
Each of the major travel apps offers fare tracking, as does Google Flights. Some travel apps like Skyscanner and Hopper have a calendar view that shows prices so you can quickly see how your costs are changing.
Use loyalty points
Using the right credit card can make your trip easier on your wallet. For example, if you're traveling abroad, a rewards credit card with no foreign transaction fees is a must. Always charge your purchases in your local currency to get the best exchange rate.
There's a reason why loyalty programs and travel rewards credit cards appeal to you. Big discounts and travel offers can help you save big. When looking to book spring travel, consider the travel perks you get from hotel and airline loyalty memberships in addition to credit card points.
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For just taxes and fees, you might be able to upgrade to a business class seat or score two round-trip tickets to Zurich in April. Also check to see if you have enough funds in your account to qualify for a free hotel night.
travel light
Can I say bring it in? I've become a pro at this. I never checked my bag. These are really small things, but they add up to be important.
This week, United Airlines increased checked bag fees by $5 in most markets. The first checked bag will cost $40 (or $35 if paid for at least 24 hours in advance), and the second checked bag will cost $50 (or $45 in advance). Of course, you can also pay using air miles.
Earlier this year, JetBlue Airways increased its baggage fees by $10, and American Airlines raised its first checked bag fee to $40 for customers who don't prepay online. This represents an increase of 33%.
An added bonus for becoming a carry-on pro: You won't have to cool your heels waiting for your luggage on the carousel or shell out big bucks for a new dud or toothbrush if your bag gets lost.
Save that for suntan lotion.
Kelly Hannon is a senior columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist and the author of 14 of her books, including “The World's Best.''Taking Control Even Over 50: How to Succeed in the New World of Work.” and “You’re never too old to get rich.” Follow her on X @Kellyhannon.
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