Kayak recently released an analysis of all the data in time for summer travel. And great news for those looking to stay in the coming months. Flight ticket prices this summer are likely to be significantly lower, especially compared to last year. specific destination.
Whether you're looking to vacation on an exotic beach or need to attend a college friend's wedding several states away, know that some destinations have significantly reduced You'll be happy. Average domestic U.S. flight prices are expected to be 13% cheaper than last summer's average, with flights to Central America and the South Pacific 14% cheaper. You can save even more by flying to the Caribbean (about 15 percent cheaper than last summer) or Mexico, where average prices are 16 percent cheaper than last summer. The only flight pattern that increased in price was from the U.S. to Asia, but it was only 2% more expensive.
date do Case
Photo: Kayak.com
There's a lot of debate about the cheapest time to book a trip. Some say it's best to book on a Tuesday, others say six weeks out is best. And while the jury is still out on those “rules,” one thing Kayak has decided on is the cheapest time of day to fly.
If you're traveling domestically (within the US), try to fly in May or early June for the best deals. If you wait until mid-June or later, ticket prices may rise again. However, when traveling overseas, the opposite is true; air ticket prices start to drop from around July. However, do not forget that July and August are very popular months for holidays within Europe. So he might be better off waiting until September to visit one of Europe's best small towns and alternative beaches on Italy's Lake Como.
If you have to travel during the holidays, it's not all bad. While long holiday weekends in the U.S. are likely to be more expensive than non-holiday weekends, hotel and flight costs are still lower overall compared to 2023.
where people go
Searches for Beijing, China are increasing significantly through the summer of 2023. Photo: SchnepfDesign/Shutterstock
Kayak's data isn't all that surprising in the United States. For summer travel, people are heading to some predictable places. Seattle (perhaps to beat the heat), Las Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu, and New York all top the list of the most popular destinations in the United States.
Internationally, Africa is becoming very popular (a trend reflected in cruises), and destinations in Asia are also on trend, with 144 searches each for flights to Beijing and Shanghai. percent and an 87 percent increase. When it comes to continents, Europe remains the most popular among billions of travel searches, with London, Rome and Paris occupying the top three most searched cities in the world. Tokyo, Japan; Cancun, Mexico. The only non-European city in the top 10 is Hyderabad, India.
So where is the cheapest place to go on a summer trip?
Kayak estimates that access to Florida will be more affordable this year than last.Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
If all you care about is which destinations have seen the lowest prices, Kayak has that data as well. Domestically, four of the five cheapest US destinations to fly to are Florida, so if you're looking for a beach trip, you're in luck. For round-trip flights within the United States, the cheapest cities are Tampa (average price $307), Orlando ($328), Fort Myers ($334), and Fort Lauderdale ($343). The only destination other than Florida to make the list was Minneapolis, Minnesota (average ticket cost $312).
From an international perspective, it's no surprise that America's neighbors to the north and south have the lowest prices. Generally, the shorter the flight, the cheaper the fare. This summer, you can fly to Toronto, Canada for about $371 round trip, and Guadalajara, Mexico for nearly $375 round trip. Montreal and Calgary are $456 and $458 round-trip, respectively, while round-trip fares to the vibrant gastronomic paradise of Mexico City can be closer to $479.
Interestingly, Kayak also provided summer travel data for cities where flight ticket prices dropped the most, even if they weren't the cheapest. The domestic flight is to Providence, Rhode Island. Knoxville, Tennessee. and Cincinnati, Ohio, both saw declines of more than 20% compared to last year. and Richmond, Virginia. and Reno, Nevada, both 19% cheaper. Would you like to go on a summer trip to Lake Tahoe?
If you decide to use the Passport, there's a wide range of variation as to which destinations have the lowest prices. Flights to Oaxaca, Mexico are now 27% cheaper on average than last year, while flights to Belize City and Liberia (Costa Rica) in Central America are each 23% to 24% cheaper. Flights to Sydney, Australia can be 22% cheaper, and flights to Belfast, Northern Ireland can be around 20% cheaper.
Hotel and rental car fees
Photo: Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock
Airfare is one of the most expensive parts of most summer trips, but hotels and rental cars can also be extra costs. Rental car prices skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic and are still slow to come down years later. According to Kayak data, the cheapest cities to rent a car in the U.S. are Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Miami, with an average daily price of $58 for both destinations. The next cheapest are Orlando and Tampa, where he pays an average of $79 per day in the mid-$60s per day, and Los Angeles, California. ah.
Fortunately, car rental prices overseas have gotten a little cheaper this summer. Kayak's statisticians believe that in San Jose, Costa Rica, he will pay about $33 per day, and in Cancun, Mexico, he will pay about $41 per day. His next three cheapest destinations are all in Spain, Barcelona, Palmade, Mallorca (Canary Islands), or Madrid, where he could cost less than $60 per day by car.
In terms of hotel prices, not much has changed. On average, U.S. hotels are about 7% cheaper this summer, and international hotels are about 2% more expensive. As Kayak reports, “Plan a staycation and spend your savings on room service, or spread your wings and head overseas? But can you ditch the minibar?”
In the United States, the city with the cheapest hotels for summer travel is likely to be New Orleans, Louisiana. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. San Francisco, California. Orlando, Florida. and Atlanta, Georgia. Of course, in those cities, a lot Therefore, there is no guarantee that the hotel you want will be cheaper. Average room rates in these cities are estimated to be between $227 and $225 per night. Internationally, Bangkok, Thailand is likely to continue to be a budget-friendly destination (estimated average price of around $118 per night), followed by Tirana, Albania ($122 per night). Seoul, South Korea ($164 per night). Bali, Indonesia ($185 per night). Madrid, Spain ($206 per night).
But don't let hotel costs stop you from traveling. Cities around the world have far more hotel options than airlines or car rental companies, so you'll almost always find cheap(ish) accommodation even if the city as a whole is considered expensive. can do.
Budget-friendly summer travel ideas
You might find that summer travel is cheaper than you expected in these three ever-popular destinations.
bangkok, thailand
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok. Photo: Luciano Mortura – LGM/Shutterstock
With some of the cheapest international hotels in the world this summer, why not make time to plan a trip to Thailand's colorful, friendly and action-packed capital? The summer sun beats down on Bangkok, but if you're traveling on a budget, it doesn't have to be a scorching sun.
Start your day at dawn with a visit to Wat Pho, home to the awe-inspiring Reclining Buddha. Arrive early to beat the crowds, then refuel with a piping hot bowl. joke (Porridge) from a street vendor. Usually less than $2.
If it's too hot, take the BTS Skytrain (Bangkok's efficient elevated rail system) to the National Museum. For an admission fee of 200 baht, you can get a deep dive into Thailand's history. In the afternoon, head to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, for panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River. Admission is only 50 baht, and the stalls lining the temple sell refreshing coconut water (and interesting sweets and other snacks) for less than $1.
For dinner, have Pad Thai, grilled meat, or Pad, look. In most cases, you can buy it with a beer for less than $4 or $5.
Check out Matador's recommended accommodations in Bangkok.
Mexico City
Photo: eskystudio/Shutterstock
Mexico City comes alive in the summer, and there are plenty of affordable ways to spend the day. He starts his day at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square. Free cultural events are held here daily. Open-air concerts, traditional dance performances, street performers, and historical reenactments are held almost every day during the summer.Refreshing Paleta (Mexican popsicles) sold by street vendors usually cost about $1. The pyramids and ruins of Teotihuacan on the outskirts of the city are also worth visiting, but be sure to get there early as it can get quite hot in the summer.
For a weekend visit, head to Chapultepec Park, a vast oasis and Central America's largest park. Paddle boat rentals typically cost around $5 per hour, and there are plenty of museums to explore to beat the heat. A large second-hand goods market is held in the park on Saturdays. El Bazaar del SabadoFind everything from vintage clothing to handmade souvenirs at great prices. If you're into markets and museums, the park alone is enough to make you plan a summer trip to Mexico City.
Once the heat subsides, why not visit the Loma Norte district, a mecca for art and design? During the summer months, many galleries host free exhibitions, while the street art scene explodes with vibrant murals.Locally Taqueria, you can usually buy a few tacos for $1-2.Let's take a walk in the evening Avenida Insurgentesa pedestrian-only street filled with buskers and lively bars (many of which have happy hour sales in the summer).
Check out Matador's top picks for accommodation in Mexico City.
Fort Myers, Florida
Photo: Luna Marina/Shutterstock
Many destinations in Florida are among the cheapest countries to fly to this summer. That means you can book cheap flights, rent a car, and enjoy the Sunshine State on your own. If you're headed to Fort Myers for a summer trip, the obvious thing to do is to relax on the gorgeous beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. If paddling is your thing, there are plenty of places to access the waterways of the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Kayak rentals are available for about $20, and self-guided tours allow you to paddle through mangrove tunnels to see native wildlife such as manatees and roseate spoonbills.
Near Fort Myers is Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is one of the Gulf's most beautiful islands, with many relaxing restaurants and hotels, and a beach known for some of the best shelling in the world. If you're a history buff, visit one of the fascinating and quirky museums nearby, including Edison's Estate and the expansive Ringling Circus Museum and Homestead (about an hour north of Sarasota). Of course, if you'd rather get a tan when you arrive than sightsee, there's no shortage of beaches. 
Check out Matador's top picks for accommodation on the Gulf Coast.
