The Spring Travel Outlook Finds Late April is the Best Time to Save and Avoid Crowds  

Travelers can Leverage a Strong U.S. dollar to Stretch Their Travel Budgets in Top International Destinations 

Today Expedia® released its Spring Travel Outlook, revealing flight searches for March through May are up, particularly for international travel.¹ Searches for spring trips abroad are higher than last year¹, as Americans look to leverage a strong U.S. dollar to stretch their travel budgets when exploring international destinations like Japan and Mexico. 

While Cancún and London remain popular for spring breakers, data shows travelers are also eyeing spring trips to less typical spots like Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok and Seoul.²  

Regardless of destination, if last year’s trend holds spring travelers can save up to 25% on airfare by booking three to four weeks in advance of travel and avoiding peak travel dates.³ For travelers planning around school breaks in March, that sweet spot ends around Valentine’s Day.³  

Tips from the Spring Travel Outlook include: 

When to Book Spring Travel³ 

• Best time: Three weeks to a month ahead of departure to save up to 25%  

• Worst time: 0-6 days out or more than 90 days out 

Peak Travel Dates³ 

• Last two Saturdays of March (22 and 29) 

• Easter weekend (April 18-20) 

• Mother’s Day weekend (May 9-11) 

Best Time to Travel³ 

• Domestic flights: Last week of April, first week of May (save nearly $55 vs. peak dates) 

• International flights: First week of March, last week of April (save nearly $115 vs. peak dates) 

• Regardless of the departure date, Expedia data shows departing on a Tuesday instead of a Friday could shave around 15% off the price of a domestic ticket. 

Where to Go² 

• Most popular: Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Cancún, London, Punta Cana 

• Fastest growing: Rio de Janeiro (+85%), Curaçao (+60%), Tokyo (+50%), Osaka (+50%), Maui (+45%), Istanbul (+45%) 

• Best for the U.S. dollar going farther: The U.S. dollar is expected to remain strong for the first half of 2025, meaning travel budgets go farther when visiting international destinations. Now’s a great time for Americans to enjoy a favorable exchange rate in Tokyo, Mexico City, Seoul and other popular spring destinations. 

Wave Season 

• Spring is a great time to travel, and it’s also the best time to book a cruise. From now until March is“wave season,” the cruise industry’s version of Black Friday. Book before the end of February to score extras like $1,000 onboard credits and other deals, discounts and extras.  

“There are two types of spring travelers: spring breakers and everyone else,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations. “For the latter group, it’s easy to skip the peak dates and save on your airfare ticket. For those that are beholden to school schedules, you can still save hundreds of dollars just by bundling your flights and hotel on Expedia, especially when you’re headed to resort destinations like Mexico and Hawaii.” 

Best and Busiest Times to Travel This Spring³ 

Based on historical flight demand, average ticket prices peak in late March and remain higher through early April, reflecting the window when many schools are out for spring break. Meanwhile, Easter is later this year, falling on April 20, impacting demand and prices as travelers take advantage of the long weekend.  

Conversely, the cheapest times to fly are before March 10, and late April through early May. Data also reveals departing on a Tuesday instead of a Friday could shave around 15% off the price of a domestic ticket. 

For crowd-averse travelers, take advantage of the days before Memorial Day Weekend travel kicks off, and avoid the third and fourth weeks of March. 

Destination Insights²  

While beach destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii remain top picks for spring breakers, Europe and Asia are increasingly popular this season as travelers look to visit tourist hotspots ahead of the summer rush. Here’s where travelers are searching for spring: 

• Trending Beach Getaways: Rio de Janeiro (+85%) stands out as the season’s top trending destination, potentially driven by the high-profile free concert being held at Copacabana Beach in May and the city’s annual Carnival festival in early March. Other beach hotspots garnering interest include Curaçao (+60%) and Maui (+45%). 

• Cherry Blossom Chasing: Tokyo (+50%) and Osaka (+50%) continue to be sought-after destinations, with U.S. travelers eager to experience Japan’s cherry blossom season beginning in late March, with peak bloom around the end of the month.  
• International destinations where the dollar goes farther: For American travelers heading abroad, favorable currency exchange rates can be a boon when spending on local goods and services in places like Japan, Mexico, South Korea and across Europe.  

Score Cruise Savings During Wave Season 

From January to March, it’s “wave season” – that time of year when cruise lines offer their best deals, discounts and extras for the upcoming year. Here’s how to get the most out of the cruise industry’s version of Black Friday: 

• Look for Expedia Extras: whether it’s an onboard cash credit, Expedia Exclusive Staterooms, reduced deposits, free upgrades or special offers, many cruise vacation packages come with an Expedia bonus – this is on top of the great wave season deals offered by the cruise line.  

• Earn up to an $1,000 onboard credit on select sailings by booking before February 28. 

• Chat with a Vacation Consultant that specializes in cruises to help put together a custom vacation experience. 

• Save by bundling: Need a flight and hotel stay pre- and post-sailing? Bundle items together to save with package rates and manage the entire trip in one place. 

• Book now, pay later: Instead of paying up front, a new Flex Pay option lets Expedia travelers lock in their cruise and customize a payment plan over 3 to 24 months, making planning more budget-friendly. 

Spring Travel Tips  

Allow Expedia’s suite of traveler tools to simplify the journey by taking the guesswork out of booking, saving on airfare and streamlining the planning process.  

• Save with price alerts: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop.* 

• Opt for morning flights: According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, morning departures are less prone to cancellations than flights after 3 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day.  

• Looking to book a getaway this spring? Don’t miss the Annual Vacation Sale, running from Feb. 26 through March 31, offering thousands of hotels and vacation package deals with 25% off or more for members. 

• Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key™ membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input the airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. 

*Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available on select routes. 

Data Sources:  

¹Based on Expedia.com flight searches for travel during the weeks of March 1 – May 22, 2025 as of Jan. 22, 2025, compared to same time period in 2024. 

²Most popular and trending destinations based on Expedia.com flight and hotel searches for travel during the weeks of March 1 – May 22, 2025, as of Jan. 22, 2025. Trending destinations are based on comparisons to the same time period last year. 

³Based on Expedia flight demand for travel during March, April and May 2024 compared to the same time frame in 2023.