Summer is one of the busiest times for travel, mainly because families with kids are tied to school schedules, and many adults find it the most convenient time to take a break from work. However, without proper planning, summer travel can become crowded, chaotic, and expensive.
There’s no perfect time to book summer trips, but a few strategies can help make your experience smoother. For popular destinations, summer is peak season, meaning high prices and low availability. If you can be flexible, consider traveling during the “shoulder” season, which falls between peak and off-peak times.
Think about whether you want to travel during major holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day. While long holiday weekends are tempting, they also attract millions of other travelers. It’s usually cheaper and less stressful to travel on non-holiday weekends. If you’re bringing pets, ensure your destination is pet-friendly and check for any associated fees.
When booking flights, your approach should differ based on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally. For domestic flights, monitor prices for several months before your trip. Many travel sites show historical prices, helping you gauge whether current rates are reasonable. Always check the change or cancellation policies before booking.
For international flights, it’s generally better to book earlier than you would for domestic ones. Waiting until the last minute can lead to significantly higher prices and potential issues with visas if required.
Booking hotels in advance or at the last minute depends on your preference. If you like to plan, book early to secure your itinerary. However, you might save money by waiting until closer to your travel dates. You can book early and then monitor prices; many hotels allow free cancellations up to a few days before check-in. This way, you can rebook at a lower rate if prices drop. Using credit card miles or cashback can also help reduce costs.
If renting a car, you can often book now and pay later. This allows you to lock in a low rate and then cancel and rebook if prices decrease.
Cruise prices vary widely based on factors like time of year, cruise duration, cabin choice, and how soon the cruise departs. Prices may be low months in advance and rise gradually, but last-minute deals are also common. If you can make spontaneous plans, you might snag a cheap cruise.
Once you have your flights and hotel booked, start planning activities. Book tours, events, and activities as early as possible since preferred dates and times can fill up quickly. Keep your travel budget well-stocked to cover all the experiences on your bucket list.
Flexibility with your destination and travel dates can help you avoid the high prices and limited availability of peak summer travel. Booking cancellable reservations allows you to monitor prices and rebook if better deals arise.
For those on a tight budget, traveling during the “shoulder season” can offer better value. Early or late summer travel, especially in September, can be ideal as crowds thin out and the weather remains pleasant. Just ensure your favorite spots are still open if you’re visiting a summer resort town after Labor Day.
If you’re flying to Europe, book your tickets as early as possible. With more people expected to travel this year, flights may fill up quickly and prices could rise. Unlike domestic travel, last-minute deals to Europe are rare.
By planning ahead and staying flexible, you can enjoy a more affordable and less stressful summer vacation.