Along the Valdez Trail
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2 days ago
Expert Labor Day travel-booking tips, how to score last-minute deals
As Americans prepare to soak up the final holiday weekend of summer before shoulder season, there are plenty of strategies to help make planning and travel during this peak time more manageable. Plus, there's still time to score last-minute deals from flights to stays in a variety of popular destinations. Whether you have an itinerary ready or are looking to enjoy a spontaneous getaway from Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, experts across the industry from flight tracking sites to hotel booking platforms are sharing insights to assist travelers ready to make the most of the holiday weekend. Labor Day travel numbers: Gas prices, cheapest flights, best times to travel and more AAA released new insights on Friday showing the top domestic and international cities for Labor Day travel. Whether it's an Alaskan cruise, European adventure, or -- for many -- staying close to home and hitting the road for a beach weekend, the travel association found prices have dropped compared to the same time last year for both flights and hotel stays. Domestic roundtrip flights are down 6% from last year, AAA said, averaging $720 per ticket. While European cities make up most of AAA's top international destinations, Vancouver takes the No. 1 spot this season, falling in line with AAA's projection earlier this year for a strong Alaska cruise season. The agency said hotel rates are 11% lower compared to last Labor Day, with car rental costs down 3%. For those driving to their destination or trying to plan when to head to the airport to beat traffic, the best times to drive are before lunchtime, according to transportation data from analytics company INRIX. Check out the full breakdown below with the worst times to travel by car over the holiday weekend with Saturday predicted to be the busiest. Thursday, Aug. 28: Before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29: Before 12 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30: Hit the road before 6 a.m., with the busiest hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31: Head out before 11 a.m. and avoid the peak times of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1: Leave before 12 p.m., and wait out the roads from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. With gas prices holding relatively low this summer, matching the 2021 average, AAA reported that steady crude oil prices means you can fill your tank for less this Labor Day. Labor Day travel tips and deals Last year over Labor Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration screened upward of 17 million people, so for anyone taking to the skies -- or eyeing a last-minute flight -- check out these helpful expert tips for all things airport travel and tickets. First and foremost, Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, told ABC News that people should avoid travel on Friday because "it's expected to be the busiest and most expensive day to travel. For fewer crowds and better prices, consider flying on Tuesday, Sept. 2." "Holidays like Labor Day often create hectic airport experiences, and that increased demand typically means higher prices. Travelers who shop around and compare will still find good deals, even when demand is high," she continued. Experts from Expedia Group, which includes the online travel agency platform Expedia, as well as and Vrbo, said all three sites have offers available for travelers in search of a good last-minute deal. Travelers can use the Expedia Flight Deal feature to see last-minute flights -- departing from their home airport to anywhere -- that are at least 20% lower than the typical price. For short term rental stays, Vrbo recently launched "last minute booking" feature to filter and find rentals timed to the holiday weekend. The average airline ticket price is around $260 for Labor Day weekend, according to Expedia historical data. Popular travel destinations for Labor Day 2025 Booking data from AAA shows that Seattle, Orlando, and New York are the three most popular cities over Labor Day weekend. According to Expedia data, the most popular domestic destinations include Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Orlando, and Miami. Additionally, college football season is ramping up, with many schools opening their season over Labor Day weekend, sending fans flocking to those cities for game-day getaways. Expedia found increased booking interest in State College, Pennsylvania (+360%); Tallahassee, Florida (+230%); Columbus, Ohio (+90%); and Atlanta, Georgia (+70%). When it comes to mid-sized cities, both Oklahoma City and Greenville, South Carolina, are seeing a spike on Expedia platforms for their affordability and walkable downtown areas. Looking for a family-friendly escape? Midwest and countryside retreats including in Sandusky, Ohio; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; and Allegan County, Michigan, have all seen an uptick in interest among groups with children. Some international hotspots are also trending. According to Expedia, travelers are increasingly heading abroad to sunny destinations like Nadi, Fiji (+150%), and Taormina, Sicily (+65%). Closer-to-home destinations like San José del Cabo, Mexico City (+55%) and St. Lucia (+45%) are also trending up. Expert tips for easier Labor Day travel For the best booking experience, keep the tips below in mind. Activate price alerts Activating price alerts -- whether with Skyscanner, Google Flights or another platform -- can be a game-changer for getting a great deal. In some cases, if you've already booked a ticket, the notification could help you rebook or get a refund for the fare difference from the airline, depending on the ticket type and policy. Travel opposite of the crowd, compare domestic and international flights With most Americans inclined to stay in the states for these holiday weekends, Lindsay said "you may also find cheaper flights to Europe compared to popular domestic destinations." "When domestic travel demand is high, like it is during Labor Day weekend in the U.S., international destinations may be a better deal," Lindsay said. "When you search for flights on Skyscanner, you can filter flights by price, duration, number of layovers and more. Plus, get detailed information on baggage policies, amenities and user reviews for informed choices." Be flexible with location or opt for alternative destinations Flexibility with your travel destination is key, as it lets you capitalize on discounts and explore unique, crowd-free experiences. You can use Skyscanner's "Search Everywhere" feature, Lindsay said, to find lesser-known gems and savings. For example, instead of Paris, try Lyon or Marseille for an affordable taste of French culture. Opt for Eindhoven or Rotterdam in the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam, or explore Fukuoka or Sapporo in Japan instead of Tokyo. Mix and match flights "Round-trip flights aren't always the cheapest. Sometimes you save more by booking two one-way tickets, allowing you to mix and match airlines," Lindsay said. "Search for both round-trip and one-way itineraries to see which flights price out the best." Consider nearby airports Much like being flexible with a destination, check out options for flying into or out of nearby airports to find a better deal and potentially save on airfare. "It offers travelers more flexibility and the opportunity to explore different airport options, especially if you live in an area with multiple airports nearby or are flying to a destination with more than one option," Lindsay said. "For example, if you want to fly to Miami, you can choose that airport or fly into Ft. Lauderdale, which is just 26 miles north. And if you're heading to Manhattan, there are three New York City area airports." New Avis option to save time, skip the counter Just in time for the holiday weekend, Avis announced a new premium service that allows customers to skip the shuttle and rental counter and get concierge service to a luxury vehicle instead. For those using the new option, travelers will receive a welcome message through the Avis app and be greeted by a personal concierge who will take them to their rental vehicle. The return is equally frictionless, allowing Avis First customers to pull up to departures, hand off the keys, and head straight to their gate. The new class of rental is rolling out at select airports -- Denver, Honolulu, and Palm Beach -- as well as major cities including Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Labor Day marks start of shoulder season, savings in paradise The period between peak summer and winter holiday travel seasons is typically slower for tourism both domestic and abroad. According to Vrbo, Hawaii is the top shoulder season destination of 2025. September and October bring lower airfare, fewer tourists and crowds, and a significant drop in the price of rentals, according to Vrbo, with the average daily rates for vacation rentals 30% lower compared to December. This story was originally published on August 13, 2025.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
On A Cruise To Alaska? Here Are The Breweries To Visit
If you are a beer geek and on an Alaskan cruise, you are in luck! Many of the cruise ports have breweries for you to visit. These breweries are delicious, high quality and serve not just cruise passengers but thirsty locals as well. Here are some popular cruise ports and the brewery or breweries you should visit in each one. Bawden Street's tap list had some great classic beer styles. Em Sauter The town of Ketchikan is full of the classic traps of a cruise port (jewelers, overpriced dock restaurants, etc.) but walk an extra few blocks away from the noise and you'll find Bawden Street Brewing Company, a brewery that has the classic Alaskan spruce tip ale (theirs was sweeter which made it more drinkable than other versions I have had) but they also had two saisons on draft as well as a Baltic porter, a high ABV beer style popular in Poland. The brewery did flights and had a cozy tasty room that was a good place to hide from the rain. Donna behind the bar was chatty and knowledgeable. Alaskan smoked porter is one of the beers that every beer geek should try as least once. Em Sauter The 'bustling' capitol city of Juneau is home to one of Alaska's most famous breweries: Alaskan Brewing Company. They have their production facility away from the cruise port but there's a taproom right on the pier that serves pints, food, and has a merchandise shop as well. The beer is a bit pricey but the $11 bottle of Alaskan's famous smoked porter was worth every penny. Their smoked porter is an American classic; don't miss your opportunity to have one. Devil's Club Brewing Company is also a short walk through town and many people praise their modern styles of beer from Japanese rice lager to hazy IPAs. They also make their own cider and are a restaurant as well. The beer list is large so everyone in your party will find something to enjoy. Haines black fang imperial stout was one of the highlights of the trip. Em Sauter When we pulled into the tiny town of Haines, I didn't think I would find something to do but it was one of my favorite places on the whole trip, mostly because it was a real town where locals lived and that didn't cater to the cruise going crowd with silly gimmicks. Not beer related, but visit the Haines Hammer Museum for a charming, small town museum that will be enlightening as well as educational (who knew you could learn so much about a hammer!). The cost is $7 a person and was a pleasant way to spend an hour perusing the many hammers of history. Up the street is Haines Brewing, an unassuming brown building that felt like stepping back in time to the craft beer days of the 1990's (which makes sense; they have been open since 1999). I had been told by a dock worker to try their black fang imperial stout, a 9% ABV dark beer. I ordered a $6 12 oz. pour of it and it was delicious, bursting with licorice and dark chocolate notes. It was my favorite beer of the trip. Valdez's California common was a nice complement to the rainy, cool day. Em Sauter Valdez- 'The Brewing District' - Growler Bay Brewing Company And Valdez Brewing Company Valdez, AK (population 3715) has a 'brewery district' aka two breweries across the street from each other. The older of the two is Valdez Brewing, who brews classic styles as well as modern beers like hazy IPAs and they even have a non-alcoholic hop water. Their tasting room is large and roomy with distinct Alaskan flair. I was pleasantly surprised to see a California common aka steam beer on draft as it's a style barely brewed anymore. Across the street is Growler Bay Brewing, the only brewery owned and operated by a woman (the lovely Rhonda Langley) in the state of Alaska. Growler Bay opened in 2020 and serves the cruise crowd as well as locals. Growler Bay had five beers on draft from a great Cold IPA to a classic American stout. The tasting room is tiny but accommodating and the staff was super friendly. Cheers to Alaska; it's wonderful beer scene that any beer lover will be sure to love. Don't forget to drink responsibly and to share beers with people you truly care about.
Los Angeles Times
07-08-2025
- Los Angeles Times
An Alaskan Extension – Have a Post-Cruise Adventure
It's well known that there's a certain magic to an Alaskan cruise. The ship glides through the serene, glassy waters of the state's coastal Inside Passage, massive chunks of glacier calve with a thunderous roar, and you can spy a humpback whale breach from the comfort of a heated deck. It's a wonderful and generally effortless way to experience one of the world's last great unspoiled wildernesses. But for those who believe the true magic of a journey happens when divert from the plan or beaten path, that standard cruise can feel like simply an appetizer. The most profound Alaskan experience isn't just seen from a ship; it's lived on the land. For the discerning traveler or those seeking that bit of extra meat from their journey, that's where the true adventure begins. We're talking about what's known as a 'cruisetour' – a seamlessly planned land-and-sea adventure that takes you deep into the heart of Alaska's interior. It's an immersive escape – and it's also total game-changer. The summer months in Alaska are beautiful, but they come with a side of bustling crowds and peak season prices. The real savvy traveler knows that the fall shoulder season, particularly September, is the sweet spot. This is the time to go. The huge summer influx has thinned out, which means fewer crowds. This means that those charming port towns like Juneau and Skagway feel less like tourist traps and more like the authentic Alaskan communities they are. You won't be fighting for a good view or a quiet meal, and you'll have a chance to exhale Fall is a fantastic time for prime wildlife viewing – and isn't that major reason you visited? Bears, moose, and other animals are incredibly active as they fatten up for the coming winter. The search results highlight that this is prime time to see brown bears during their famous salmon run, a spectacular display of nature's raw power. While perhaps not the fiery reds of New England, Alaska offers its own unique and stunning fall display. The tundra transforms into a beautiful mix of golds, crimsons and browns. Against the dramatic backdrop of snow-dusted mountains, it's a visual feast that few get to experience. And, as the days shorten and the skies darken, your chances of seeing the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis increase dramatically, especially if you venture inland. Imagine: after a day of adventure, you're watching the sky dance in ribbons of green and purple from the comfort of a remote (and warm) lodge. It's a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The heart of the extended Alaskan adventure is, without question, Denali National Park. While a cruise gives you the rugged coastline, a land tour gives you the heart of the wild. This is where you go to see the mountain. The journey itself is part of the experience. Many of the Cruisetours start with a scenic train ride inland on the Alaska Railroad. It's an elegant, unhurried way to travel, allowing you to watch the scenery transform from coastal rainforests to vast, open tundra. Once in Denali, you'll stay at a comfortable wilderness lodge just outside the park gates. The real adventure is the bus tour deep into the park's interior, where personal vehicles are not allowed. This is where you'll truly experience the vastness of the Alaskan wilderness. You'll be on the lookout for magnificent grizzly bears digging for roots, moose wading in lakes, and caribou roaming the tundra. And, if skies are clear, there it is: Mount Denali, the tallest mountain peak in North America, in all its breathtaking glory. The sense of scale and majesty is enthralling – you simply cannot appreciate the size and breadth of Alaska from the coast. The magic of a cruisetour is how seamlessly it all comes together. Many cruise lines handle the logistics of your train ticket, your lodging and your tour schedule, so you can spend your time focused on the adventure. And, bonus! The extensions don't have to stop at Denali. Here are two more amazing destinations you can book out after debarking Despite the frontier-style surroundings, this trip isn't about roughing it. Instead, it's about combining the thrill of adventure with the peace of mind that and knowing every detail is handled. This new-look style of Alaskan travel lends credence to the idea that you can be an explorer and still have that amazing gourmet meal, a glass of great wine and, most importantly, a cozy bed all there for you at the end of the day. Choosing this extended land-and-sea adventure in the fall – and booking it all as an amazing cruisetour trip – is a way to elevate the journey from 'boating' to 'boast' thing. choice to go deeper, to see more, and to do it all in a curated and bespoke manner – it's a journey that will stay with you long after the ship has returned to port.
