Summer travel season is approaching, and if you haven’t made plans yet, now is the time to start planning. Summer travel offers some good opportunities to save money, especially on flights to some of the most popular destinations. So, when is the best time to book flights for summer travel?
Travel company Expedia has just released its annual summer travel outlook, revealing this year’s popular travel destinations and tips to help people plan their summer trips wisely.
According to Expedia’s data, the search volume for summer travel has increased since last year, with major cities like London and New York, as well as beach destinations like Cancun and Honolulu, topping the search lists. Due to the excitement around experiencing the Olympics this summer, searches for Paris and the surrounding areas have surged by over 200%. These numbers may lead to a spike in flight prices. However, Expedia has shared important tips to ensure you get the best deals when planning your summer travel.
The travel agency suggests that the latter half of August is the best time for Americans to fly this summer. It is expected to be less busy during this period, and compared to the peak average ticket prices in the last week of June, travelers can save up to $265 on round-trip flights.
Advanced planning is the first key tip – be sure to book domestic and international summer flights 21 to 60 days in advance, which could save you 15%.
Travelers departing on Mondays for international flights or Tuesdays for domestic flights may enjoy similar advantages compared to those opting for Thursday and Friday departures.
Booking too early or too late can both be mistakes. Costs for international travel booked over 90 days in advance or domestic travel booked less than a week before departure are 15% higher than the average.
The week before July 4th (this year falling on a Thursday) is expected to be the busiest time for air travel.
Expedia also found that flights scheduled after 3 p.m. have a 50% higher chance of being canceled, so being an early bird might be worth it.
Lastly, Expedia recommends bundling flights, hotels, and car rentals through its platform to save hundreds of dollars.
Melanie Fish, Public Relations Director for Expedia Group Brands, says, “The best time to book summer travel is approaching, but you still have some time to plan your vacation and lock in those flights at discounted prices.”