Taking domestic flights for your summer vacation might be the answer if you're looking for a cheap getaway this year. However, the cost of flying further afield is more expensive than ever, research has revealed.
Data from travel company Hopper shows that flights to Europe are down 8% compared to this time last year, but remain 15% higher than at this time in 2019. Airfare to Asia this summer is averaging 45% higher than at this time in 2019 as capacity continues to recover on transpacific routes. The average ticket to Europe costs $947 and an average flight to Asia costs more than $1,500.
But it isn’t all bad news, U.S. domestic flights are 6% cheaper than last summer, and airline fares fell 3.6% from May to June, according to the most recent CPI report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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However, while domestic fares are lower, other aspects of summer travel will remain high. The price for lodging, including hotels and motels, is up 1.7% over the past month and down 1.7% since May 2023, according to the CPI. Additionally, the cost of food away from home was up 0.4% over the prior month and up 4.0% since May 2023. You can use NerdWallet's travel inflation price tracker to view how various travel prices have changed compared to pre-pandemic prices.
Here are all the details on why domestic flights are cheaper and which destinations are trending this year.
Why Are Domestic Flights Cheaper Than Last Summer?
Now is a great time for a vacation in the U.S. even if it’s an airfare away, as flights are 6% cheaper than last summer, according to Hopper. This summer marks the first year since 2020 where prices have dropped compared to the previous year. Here's a look at the best summer travel deals of 2024.
So, why have international flights gone up in price while domestic flights are cheaper? Hopper puts it down to a couple of things: greater airline capacity this summer and lower jet fuel prices.
The average price of a domestic flight currently stands at around $305, which is down from last summer, but up modestly from pre-pandemic levels. Prices are up 6%, or about $18 from 2019 when the average price of a domestic flight was $288.
Prices for travel at peak times will vary. Hopper says over July 4th Weekend, average flight prices will be $315 per ticket, and Labor Day Weekend flights will average $302 per ticket.
If you do want to travel overseas and don’t mind spending a few more dollars, off-peak airfares to Canada have gone up by only 6% since last summer — now around $410 on average. Airfares to Mexico and Central America (average price $461) and to the Antilles (average price $453) have decreased by 8%.
Most searched destinations in the U.S.
If you’re looking for good-priced domestic flights, Hopper analyzed which destinations in the U.S. are the most searched for, along with a good airfare deal. Domestic trending destinations are mostly smaller, more off-the-beaten-track cities and towns across the US.
| Destination | Flight deal from Hopper |
|---|---|
| Hyannis, MA | $538 |
| Cody, WY | $563 |
| Bar Harbor, ME | $650 |
| Sitka, AK | $610 |
| San Francisco, CA | $275 |
| Seattle, WA | $300 |
| Miami, FL | $214 |
| College Station, TX | $687 |
| Portland, OR | $282 |
| Durham, NC | $233 |
It’s a mixed bag of destinations, from city breaks in San Francisco and Seattle to a beach vacation in Miami and hiking at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor.
Hopper suggests flying mid-week to bag a good deal — you can save up to $51 (or an average of 18% off) per ticket on domestic airfare if you fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. And try to book the first flight of the day, as you’re less likely to be hit by delays and cancellations.
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