The Sweet Spot for Saving Around 15% on Flights to Summer’s Trending Destinations is 21 to 60 Days Out 

Spring is in the air, but the clock is ticking for travelers to lock in summer travel plans. According to the Expedia® Summer Travel Outlook, released today, searches for summer trips are up year-over-year for flights and lodging,¹ and the window is open now to save on summer airfare. Top destinations tempting U.S. travelers include major cities like New York and London, as well as beach destinations like Cancun and Honolulu. 

France is also a summer hotspot as Paris and surrounding areas prepare to host a major global sports event in late July. Expedia’s data reveals a massive surge in searches for accommodations during these dates in cities including Yvelines (+520%), Lyon (+310%) and Marseille (+200%).² 

To help travelers plan for what’s shaping up to be a busy summer travel season, Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook uncovers crucial tips, including:  

• Book summer flights 21 to 60 days out. Last year, travelers booking during this window saved around 15% for domestic and international travel.³ That means the window to save on Memorial Day Weekend travel will close by May 2. 
• Depart on a Monday (international flights) or Tuesday (domestic flights). Travelers saved around 15% compared to those that departed on Thursday and Friday.³ 
• Fly during mid-to-late August. It’s less busy and can yield savings of up to $265 on roundtrip tickets compared to the last week of June when average fares peak.³ 
• The Fourth of July is on Thursday, and the week leading up to the holiday is expected to be the busiest time to fly this summer.³ 

“The sweet spot for booking your summer trip is right around the corner, but there’s still a bit of time to figure out your vacation plans and lock in those flights at a great rate,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “The cheat sheet is easy this year — book one to two months out and save around 15%, whether you’re taking the family to the beach in Florida or summering in Paris.” 

Read the full Expedia Summer Travel Outlook below, which includes top destinations and tips for saving on airfare and hotels.  

Expedia Summer Travel Outlook 

When to Book Summer Travel³ 

According to Expedia historic flight data, the sweet spot for booking summer flights is between 21 and 60 days ahead of departure, whether you’re headed abroad or staying stateside. That means the clock is already ticking with summer officially kicking off on Memorial Day, currently just over six weeks away.  

• Average Sweet Spot Savings: Up to 15% on airfare 
• Worst Time to Book: Less than a week out for domestic travel or more than 90 days out for international travel (travelers paid 15% more than average during these windows). 

Don’t want to wait? Book when you’re ready and use Expedia’s Price Drop Protection,* which provides an automatic refund if the flight fare decreases on Expedia after booking. Available for purchase and on the app, it’s free for Gold and Platinum One Key members on eligible bookings who will receive any refund in OneKeyCash automatically. 

Destination Insights¹ 

Expedia’s search data highlights New York and London as the most popular domestic destinations overall for summer.  

Meanwhile, significant year-over-year surges are also evident in major international cities across Europe and Asia, along with sought-after beach locales in Mexico and the Caribbean. Japan continues its reign as a top year-round destination for U.S. travelers, with Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto appearing on the list of fastest-growing cities for summer. 

Best and Busiest Times to Travel This Summer³ 

Flexibility is critical, and sidestepping the busiest travel days can offer cost and time savings. Based on 2023 flight demand, late June tends to be the busiest time to fly and the most expensive. Meanwhile, August boasts the lightest crowds and cheapest average ticket prices of the season.  

The Fridays and Saturdays before July Fourth and Labor Day are historically among the busiest for air travel during the summer months, as travelers aim to make the most of office closures and paid holidays. July Fourth falls on a Thursday this year, so travelers can expect busier roads and airports both the weekend before and the day before the holiday.  

• Busiest Travel Dates: Last week of June; June 29 and July 3 (Saturday and day before July Fourth holiday); August 30 (Friday before Labor Day)  
• Lightest Travel Dates: Last week of August 

Cheapest Day of the Week to Fly³ 

According to Expedia data, Fridays are the busiest day at the airport during the summer months, while Tuesdays are the lightest. Day of the week also matters when it comes to savings; for domestic flights, depart on a Tuesday instead of a Friday to save around 15%, and on Monday instead of Thursday for international flights. 

Make the Most of Summer Holiday Weekends³ 

These are some of the best places to fly for under $500 during summer’s long weekends, based on historical flight data. 

Summer in Paris  

Paris is among the most popular international destinations for U.S. travelers this year, with Paris as one of the top destinations all up. During late July through mid-August, the City of Lights and surrounding areas are attracting even more interest as it prepares to host a major global sports event. Expedia’s data reveals a massive surge in searches for accommodations during these dates in cities including Yvelines (+520%), Lyon (+310%) and Marseille (+200%).²  

With Paris attracting a surge of summer visitors, accommodation rates have spiked compared to last year. To save on a place to stay, travelers should explore neighboring cities that are still well-connected by train to various competition venues:  

• Best for lower rates compared to Paris City Center: Rueil-Malmaison, Chatou, and Nanterre.  
• Best for stays near the Stade de France: Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen 

Summer Travel Hacks 

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 flight 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 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, morning departures are 50% less prone to cancellations than flights after 3 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day. 

• Secure a flexible hotel reservation: Use Expedia’s search filters to discover accommodations offering “free cancellation” or “reserve now, pay later” options, and select the refundable room. 
• Bundle and save: Travelers can save by bundling their flight or hotel booking on Expedia, taking advantage of discounted rates. 
• 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. 

Data Sources:   

¹ Based on Expedia.com flight or lodging searches for travel during the weeks of May 20 – September 6, 2024, as of March 4, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023.  

² Based on Expedia.com lodging searches for travel during July 26 – August 11, 2024, compared to same dates in 2023. 

³ Based on Expedia flight demand for travel during May, June, July, August and September 2023 compared to the same time frame in 2022.  

^*Price Drop Protection is available for a fee on eligible flights. Refund will be the difference if the price of your flight on Expedia drops. Terms apply. See site for details.   

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