United States
Expedia’s Spring Travel Outlook Reveals Last-Minute Spring Breakers Can Still Score Value
April 27-28 are the cheapest days to fly
Today Expedia® released its annual Spring Travel Outlook, the ultimate planning guide for spring break escapes. This year’s report highlights how last-minute planners can score deals, a surprise Mediterranean beach destination, the cheapest days to travel, and the most affordable destinations.
“A beach some Americans have never heard of tops the places, seeing a dramatic jump in spring searches on Expedia. Antalya, Turkey, isn’t unknown — it’s one of the Mediterranean’s biggest beach hubs — but more Americans are realizing the Turkish Riviera delivers the kind of beach experience they’d expect in Spain or Italy, just with fewer crowds and more value,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.
What are the most popular and trending destinations for this spring?
New Expedia search data[1] shows that Cancun is still the No. 1 internationally popular spring destination, while Caribbean standouts such as Montego Bay (+105%), the Bahamas (+60%), Cayman Islands (+25%), and Punta Cana (+25%) saw strong momentum the last week in February for the upcoming spring travel season.
Antalya, Turkey, emerges as the biggest global riser, with a 920% surge in searches. Antalya delivers world‑class Mediterranean beaches at a lower cost, enjoys the global credibility of being one of the world’s most‑visited destinations, and offers warm spring weather that gives U.S. travelers an early‑season warm beach escape outside the Caribbean.
On the domestic front, Memphis leads trending U.S. destinations with searches up 95%, followed by Hawaii (+70%) and coastal Rehoboth Beach (+65%). Boise (+65%) and the Grand Canyon (+55%) highlight growing interest in nature‑driven getaways as travelers look to diversify their spring plans.
What are the most affordable destinations to fly under $600?[2]
Domestic travelers can take advantage of off‑peak pricing with flights under $600 to destinations such as Maui (Hawaii), Page (Arizona), and Bar Harbor (Maine). Those seeking warmer weather abroad should consider the beautiful beaches of Tobago, St. Lucia, and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, shoulder season deals make the Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu more accessible.
| Cheapest International Destinations | |
| 1. Tobago | 6. Cancun, Mexico |
| 2. Rhodes, Greece | 7. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
| 3. Santorini, Greece | 8. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| 4. Mykonos, Greece | 9. Castries, St. Lucia |
| 5. Corfu, Greece | 10. Edmonton, Canada |
| Cheapest Domestic Destinations | |
| 1. Maui, HI | 6. Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 2. Page, AZ | 7. Atlantic City, NJ |
| 3. New Haven, CT | 8. Bar Harbor, ME |
| 4. Worcester, MA | 9. Burbank, CA |
| 5. Atlanta, GA | 10. Everett, WA |
What are the most affordable destinations to stay under $200 per night?[3]
Spain, Greece, and the Caribbean offer the most value this spring. Rates under $200 a night can be found in the popular cities of Kos, Rhodes, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Bonaire, and Santo Domingo, offering rare spring value for budget‑minded travelers.
In the U.S., affordable stays can be found coast to coast. Panama City offers access to Gulf Coast beaches at a fraction of Miami prices; Amarillo, Idaho Falls, and Fayetteville are the perfect anchor for national park road trips. Colorado Springs and Portland combine scenery, breweries, and culture with consistently accessible nightly rates.
| Cheapest International Destinations | |
| 1. Kos, Greece | 6. Valencia, Spain |
| 2. Alicante, Spain | 7. Rhodes, Greece |
| 3. Barcelona, Spain | 8. St. John’s, Canada |
| 4. Bonaire | 9. Edmonton, Canada |
| 5. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | 10. Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Cheapest Domestic Destinations | |
| 1. Panama City, FL | 6. Modesto, CA |
| 2. Harrisburg, PA | 7. Idaho Falls, ID |
| 3. Amarillo, TX | 8. McAllen, TX |
| 4. Fayetteville, NC | 9. Colorado Springs, CO |
| 5. Allentown, PA | 10. Portland, OR |
What is the best time to fly this spring?[4]
For opportunistic travelers who want to take advantage of when prices dip, Expedia data shows April 27 and 28 are the cheapest days to travel as school breaks end in many regions and crowds fade.
What are the best spring travel tips?
Expedia recommends the following to lock in your next spring getaway:
- Search for Flight Deals: Use Expedia’s Flight Deals, which will show fares that are at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices. The new map discovery experience, available on iOS, also makes it easier for travelers to discover the best deals.[5]
- Bundle & Save: Travelers can save hundreds, on average, when reserving their hotel and flight at the same time.
- Save with Price Alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop by using tools such as Price Tracking on the app.
- Price Drop Protection: Add Expedia’s Price Drop Protection, which provides a refund of the difference if your flight price drops on Expedia after booking.[6]
- Annual Vacation Sale: Travelers can save up to 40% off select stays during Expedia’s Annual Vacation Sale. Book by March 16, 2026, for stays between February 10 and September 30, 2026.[7]
FAQ
Q: What are the most popular international destinations for spring travel this year?
A: Cancun, Punta Cana and Tokyo are the most popular destinations this spring.
Q: Which destination is the biggest global riser this spring?
A: Antalya, Turkey saw a 920% surge in searches, making it the fastest‑rising global spring destination thanks to strong value, Mediterranean beaches, and warm weather.
Q: What domestic destinations are trending the most?
A: Memphis leads U.S. spring search growth (+95%), followed by Hawaii (+70%), Rehoboth Beach (+65%), Boise (+65%), and the Grand Canyon (+55%).
Q: When are the cheapest days to fly this spring?
A: April 27–28 are the cheapest days to fly this spring.
Q: Which destinations offer flights under $600 this spring?
A: Travelers can find flights under $600 to Maui (HI), Page (AZ), Bar Harbor (ME), Tobago, St. Lucia, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu.
Q: Where can travelers find hotel stays under $200 per night?
A: Affordable international stays are available in Kos, Rhodes, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Bonaire, and Santo Domingo. Domestically, travelers can find value in Panama City, Amarillo, Idaho Falls, Fayetteville, Colorado Springs, and Portland.
[1] Based on lodging searches made on Expedia.com between February 23, 2026 to March 1, 2026, compared to February 16, 2026, to February 22, 2026, for travel between March 1 – April 30, 2026.
[2] Based on flight searches made on Expedia.com between November 24, 2025, to Sun, February 22, 2026, for travel between March 1, 2026, and April 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.
[3] Based on lodging searches made on Expedia.com between November 24, 2025 to February 22, 2026 for travel between March 1, 2026 to April 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
[4] Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between March 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026.
[5] Expedia predicts Flight Deals based on historical data collected from searches made on or by Expedia for this route. See site for details.
[6] Price Drop Protection is available on select flights for a fee. Terms apply (https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/price-drop-protection/terms-original). See site for details.
[7] Expedia’s Annual Vacation Sale is subject to limited availability. Blackout periods may apply.
