Expedia reveals cheapest times to fly and how to beat the crowds this summer
Expedia just dropped its Summer Travel Outlook, and their expert internal data reveals how to book smart and hit the right places at the right time for your summer vacation.
Trending summer destinations
Fast-track beach getaways are seeing a surge in popularity as Americans look for destinations that offer a big payoff with a shorter flight. Spots like Cancun, Punta Cana, Aruba and Turks and Caicos are top picks for sun and sand that require a flight of just four hours or less. Those seeking international adventure are looking to off-peak gems like Cairns, Australia and Miyako, Japan for fewer crowds and favorable exchange rates.
Domestically, "tour tourism" is still hot as travelers follow the concert schedules of top artists. Madison, Wisconsin has seen a 250% spike in interest—likely thanks Coldplay's "Music of the Spheres" stadium tour. San Juan is surging too, following the announcement of Bad Bunny's 30-show run taking place exclusively in the city. Other cities climbing the charts: Baton Rouge, Tallahassee and Cleveland. These under-the-radar destinations offer a mix of cultural heritage, outdoor adventures and buzzy culinary and arts scenes. Las Vegas, New York and Orlando remain top summer destinations overall.
The best times to fly this summer for cheaper fares and fewer crowds
Expedia's data points to a summer sweet spot between August 18 and 31 for the lowest fares on flights. Tuesday, August 19 and Monday, August 25 are especially wallet-friendly. Thursday, June 27 and Thursday, August 26 appear to be the most expensive days to fly this summer.
If you're looking to avoid crowds, August 25 and 26 are shaping up to be the summer's slowest travel days. June 19 and August 5 are likely to be the busiest.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
American tourist who'd never left the US comes to UK and is instantly let down
Sean Miller, a comedian from New York, is one of the participants of the new Travel Virgin Show, which takes people abroad for the first time. He touched down in London this week A 'travel virgin' who had never been out of his country before has been shocked and delighted in equal measure by the UK. Sean Millea is a 28-year-old living in New York City who had never been out of the US until earlier this week. He is in good company. By some estimates, around 23% of Americans have not traveled internationally, while a quarter of Britons have never boarded a plane or ferry to go on holiday abroad. Whether it's the cost and hassle of sorting out a passport (close to 50% of Americans don't have one currently, according to the Apollo Academy) that is putting people off, or the fact that they're quite happy at home, clearly travel is not for everyone. Stand-up comedian Sean had been content exploring the US, until he was given the chance to hop across an international border for the first time by Jetpac. The travel eSim brand has chosen several 'travel virgins' to star in its docu-series, hosted by Love is Blind's Benaiah. When it airs, it will see newbie travelers swept away on an all-expenses-paid journey to an exotic destination. The Mirror spoke to Sean the day after his arrival in the UK. He was standing amidst the hustle and bustle of Borough Market, digesting a laden pudding from the viral Humble Crumble and reflecting on a deeply disappointing first brush with British pastry. "The pork pie. My friend Marshall told me to get it. I didn't love that. It was sort of tasteless and hard to eat, you really need to put in muscle to get it open. It looked like a little castle. I did, however, like the Humble Crumble," Sean explained. "I also don't like the candy here. American candy is full of chemicals, which is why it tastes delicious." Sean was not opposed to the idea of travelling abroad, but given the demanding nature of his comedy career, he had never found the right time to do so. "I don't ever have money like that. I have been to Florida, California and Chicago, but I'm uncultured to anywhere outside of the US," Sean said. While he may have found the pork pies a little underwhelming, the American in London was excited to throw himself into the culture, having grown up on a string of British classics such as the Beatles, David Bowie and Shakespeare. Visits to the Globe and Abbey Road were ticked off on his first evening. In terms of vibe, "London feels like New York if you're not paying attention." When it comes to the actual travelling process, Sean found it to be a mixed bag. "I got a passport, a few months ago on a whim, and there was some visa thing I had to get. I ended up just tapping myself out of the airport, no questions asked. It was pretty smooth," he explained. "I did get scammed at a currency exchange. I got half my money back." The first episode of The Travel Virgin Show will go live on June 30. The company argues now is the right time for it, given the steady rise in travel since the coronavirus lockdowns, when people were pent up, unable to get away and desperate to get back out on the road. According to one recent poll, 76% of Gen Z and 72% of Millennials say they're more interested in travel than they used to be. And passport applications have surged by up to 38% in key markets like the UK, suggesting the appetite for exploration is stronger than ever. Aditya Goyal, CEO at Jetpac. "There's a huge group of people who are only now taking their first step abroad—and we think they deserve the same tools as anyone else. Jetpac is here to make that first time seamless, empowering, and unforgettable."
Time Out
20 hours ago
- Time Out
The U.S. just hit Canada with a new travel advisory
The U.S. Department of State has officially issued a Level 1 travel advisory for Canada. Just a few days after Montreal's air quality was ranked the second worst in the world due to the Canadian wildfires, the U.S. has issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens travelling to Canada. This comes on the heels of a new US travel requirement in addition to the updated U.S. travel rules and safety advisories. What is the new U.S. travel advisory for Canada? On June 11, 2025, a Level 1 travel advisory throughout Canada was issued regarding the country's 2025 wildfire season. Here are the details of the travel advisory according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada website: Weather Alert for U.S. Citizens: Wildfire Season 2025 In Canada, wildfires are common in forested and grassland regions from May to September. In 2024, Canada was affected by record-breaking wildfires affecting all 13 provinces and territories. We urge U.S. citizens visiting or living in Canada to be aware of wildfire conditions in their area and follow guidance from local authorities. Please see the list of resources and emergency services below to help prepare for wildfire season in Canada. The site also urges Americans to take the following actions: Dial 911 for immediate assistance from police, ambulance, or fire services in Canada Review the Crisis and Disaster Abroad page, which urges travellers to stock up on essentials, keep key documents handy, and make an emergency plan—including for pets and communication. Stay aware of local risks (like storms or other disasters), follow official guidance, and sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time updates Follow the government of Canada's guidance on what to do before, during, and after a wildfire Review the government of Canada's coordinated Wildfire page for information on the emergency response, support, and health measures for current wildfire events across Canada Review the Country Security Report for Canada Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States. In addition, the site provides links for each Canadian province and territory in regards to the wildfire situation in their specific region. The advisory also states to exercise normal precautions in Canada, and that Canada is generally a safe destination for travelers.
Economist
21 hours ago
- Economist
Globalisation is nuts
The lowly cashew is globalisation in a nutshell. The route from cashew tree to tasty snack follows a peripatetic journey. More than half of the world's cashew nuts are grown in African countries. Most are exported raw, mainly to Vietnam, for shelling and sorting, before being exported again as processed kernels. Often the nuts munched by Americans or Europeans have travelled more than 20,000km.
