Summer 2025 Travel Outlook

With summer weather right around the corner, now is the time for Americans to kick off the summer vacation planning process! With domestic airfare at the lowest level in three years at just $265 per round trip ticket, travelers are set to get great deals on top destinations around the US. Airfare to Europe has also dropped to a 3 year low, offering fares under $850 per ticket for the first time since 2021. 

With economic headwinds facing many American households, budgets are definitely feeling extra pressure this summer. While 64% of Americans say they plan to maintain or expand their discretionary spending this year, many households are looking to get more for their travel budgets this summer. In addition to our usual pricing guidance, we’ve rounded up some of the highest impact ways for travelers to get more for their money this summer. 

Airfare

Domestic Airfare for Summer

Round-trip domestic airfare for this summer is averaging $265 per ticket, down 3% compared to the same time last year. This is the lowest summer airfare travelers have seen since 2021, when travel was beginning to rebound from pandemic lows. Fares are also 8% lower than in summer 2019.

Travelers can find the best deals by flying in early June or mid-July. In contrast, airfare tends to spike during federal holiday weekends like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. Traveling during these peak times can cost about $81 more per ticket, roughly 34% higher than the cheapest weekends of the summer.

International Airfare for Summer

Europe remains the most popular destination for international summer travel, and airfare to the region is down 8% compared to this time last year. Prices are slightly below what was available at this point in 2019, making this the most affordable summer for travel to Europe in the past three years.

There’s also good news for travelers heading across the Pacific; airfare to Asia has dropped 14% from last year, hitting its lowest point since summer 2021. Demand for travel to Asia has grown steadily over the past three years, with more Americans choosing destinations like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand for their summer vacations. In fact, 32% of summer trip searches in the past six months were for destinations in Asia, a 5-point increase compared to 2019.

Accommodations

Hotel Prices

Hotel stays this summer are averaging $237 per night across June, July, and August- roughly the same as last year. Travelers should expect to pay a premium for weekend stays, with Friday and Saturday nights averaging as much as 25% more than early-week rates. Prices climb even higher over holiday weekends like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, when demand peaks.

Travelers can expect to pay a premium for hotel stays in New York City and Chicago this summer, two of the highest-demand destinations on the Hopper app. In contrast, Las Vegas offers a more budget-friendly option with average nightly rates around $116 for summer.

Top European destinations like London, Paris, and Barcelona are averaging $350 to $400 per night, making them some of the priciest options for international travelers. By comparison, top destinations in Asia offer more affordable stays with hotel rates averaging $206 per night in Tokyo and just $116 in Bangkok.

Vacation Rental Prices

The average cost of a vacation home in the U.S. this summer is averaging $172 per bedroom, per night, or about $340 per night for multi-bedroom homes, typical of what most travelers are booking. Prices are roughly in line with those seen last year.

Top markets for summer rentals are all warm weather destinations offering sun and fun this summer. Orlando and Myrtle Beach remain favorites for families seeking theme parks and laid-back beach escapes while Miami and Los Angeles attract visitors with their vibrant city life, coastal scenery, and nightlife. Hawaii, a family favorite, offers a more remote, tropical getaway for those looking to unplug and explore nature.

Rental Cars

Road tripping this summer? Great news! Rental car prices in the US are averaging $47 per day, in line with prices at this time last year. Orlando, Las Vegas and Denver are currently ranking the highest demand cities for rental car pick ups for summer, followed by Miami and Chicago. Most travelers are booking vehicles for about six days to fit their summer travel plans.

Rental prices are highest in remote tourist destinations, with Bozeman, Montana averaging $145 per day and Anchorage, Alaska at $105 per day. In contrast, rentals in Florida are among the most affordable this summer, averaging $26 per day or less in popular cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa.

Trending Destinations for Summer

This summer, domestic travelers are gravitating toward destinations that offer rich outdoor experiences. Topping the list is Santa Fe, New Mexico, known for its unique blend of history, culture, and adventure. Travelers are also increasingly drawn to mountain destinations, from the Rockies of Colorado to the White Mountains and lakes of New Hampshire, seeking proximity to national parks and scenic landscapes. Wilmington, North Carolina, ranked third among trending U.S. destinations, appeals to those looking for coastal getaways and beachside relaxation along the Carolina coast.

Internationally, trending destinations offer a wide range of experiences. Thailand and Japan lead the list, with cities in both countries seeing record popularity among travelers this year. Saint Lucia has also seen a surge in demand, attracting visitors with its warm Caribbean waters and stunning natural views. Adventure travel is on the rise as well, with the Faroe Islands and locations within the Arctic Circle ranking among the top five trending international destinations. These remote areas offer extraordinary opportunities for outdoor exploration and rugged, off-the-beaten-path experiences.

4 ways to hack your summer vacation budget: 

[1] Shift hotel stays to less popular days of the week to save as much as $296 on a domestic stay 

Skip the hotel stay from Friday-Saturday nights and instead stay Sunday-Monday nights to save an average of $86 on your stay. Savings are even higher in cities where you pay a premium for weekend stays. 

• $296 Savings / 50% discount - Las Vegas, Nevada

• $154 savings / 29% discount - Miami Beach, Florida

• $146 savings / 24% discount - Nashville, Tennessee

• $175 savings / 20% discount - London, England

• $89 savings / 21% discount - Tokyo, Japan

• $156 savings / 20% discount - Barcelona, Spain

• $253 savings / 33% discount - Madrid, Spain 

[2] Shift international trips from June into late August and September to save as much as $513 on round trip airfare 

The last two weeks of June are the most popular weeks of the summer for travelers from the US to go abroad. Airfare to top destinations across Europe, Asia and more regions is high during the month of June as demand surges. Shifting travel to late August or September can reveal substantial savings for savvy travelers. 

• $312 Savings per ticket | Shift summer trips to Europe from the second half of June to the second half of August or September to save an average of 33% off round trip airfare to Europe, or about $312 per ticket.  

• $513 savings per ticket | Save 35% or $513 per round trip ticket to Asia by shifting travel from June to any week from the second half of August through September. 

[3] Fly midweek to save as much as 20% off airfare 

Fly on a Sunday is typically the most expensive day of week for travelers, whether they are headed out on a trip or returning home. Flying mid week, on Tuesday or Wednesday, can save travelers an average of $67 on round trip domestic flights this summer. Midweek trips will also save travelers an average of $166 per ticket to Europe, and $126 per ticket to Asia. 

[4] Follow the deal, not the destination! 

Travelers who are flexible on where they go can pack on the savings whether on a domestic trip or an adventure somewhere international. Swaps for top European destinations like the Canary Islands and Santorini can materialize savings as high as $326 per ticket for flexible travelers. Swaps for more expensive US destinations in Hawaii and Alaska can materialize savings as high as $547 per ticket for travelers open to exploring somewhere a little different. 

Summer Deals Still Available to Book on Hopper.com and the Hopper app:

Domestic:

• Boston, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida for as low as $100 per round trip ticket

• Chicago, Illinois to Orlando, Florida for as low as $107 per round trip ticket

• Dallas, Texas to Louisville, Kentucky for as low as $100 per round trip ticket

• Los Angeles, California to Charlotte, North Carolina for as low as $100 per round trip ticket

• New York City, New York to Chicago, Illinois for as low as $100 per round trip ticket

• San Francisco, California to Las Vegas, Nevada for as low as $95 per round trip ticket

International:

• Boston, Massachusetts to Dublin, Ireland for as low as $382 per round trip ticket

• Chicago, Illinois to Stockholm, Sweden for as low as $407 per round trip ticket

• Dallas, Texas to Lisbon, Portugal for as low as $579 per round trip ticket

• Los Angeles, California to Milan, Italy for as low as $499 per round trip ticket

• New York City, New York to Oslo, Norway for as low as $430 per round trip ticket

• Los Angeles, California to Bangkok, Thailand for as low as $689 per round trip ticket

• San Francisco, California to Seoul, South Korea for as low as $661 per round trip ticket

• Boston, Massachusetts to Mumbai, India for as low as $697 per round trip ticket

• Chicago, Illinois to Taipei, Taiwan for as low as $681 per round trip ticket

• New York City, New York to Cancun, Mexico for as low as $280 per round trip ticket

• San Francisco, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for as low as $279 per round trip ticket

• Boston, Massachusetts to San Juan, Puerto Rico for as low as $163 per round trip ticket

• Chicago, Illinois to Saint Thomas Island, United States Virgin Islands for as low as $280 per round trip ticket

• Dallas, Texas to Montego Bay, Jamaica for as low as $310 per round trip ticket