Americans seek short-haul getaways to hotspots like Cancun, Punta Cana, Aruba, and the Bahamas

Tour tourism spurs an increase in searches to Madison, Wisconsin (+250%) and San Juan (+53%) as big-name musical acts are announced

Italy tops the trending list for long-haul destinations as travelers are heading on vacations along the Mediterranean coast and the Great Lakes of Northern Italy

The Summer Travel Outlook released by Expedia^® today revealed key insights for Americans planning their summer vacations. From the best times to travel to trending destinations, the outlook highlights money-saving tools to make the most out of their summer getaways.

From short-haul beach getaways to off-peak long-haul escapes, the report indicates that travelers are looking to maximize value while embracing new experiences, with a few key trends emerging for this upcoming summer travel season:

• Short-haul beach getaways: Americans are favoring trips within 4-hours of travel to destinations like Cancún, Punta Cana, or Aruba.
• Off-peak long-haul destinations: At the same time, savvy travelers looking to go abroad are seeking off-season deals to long-haul destinations like Cairns, Australia (+75%), known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and Miyako, Japan (+105%) an island paradise with white sandy beaches in Okinawa. An exchange rate benefiting US travelers is also boosting interest in Japan and Australia.
• Tour Tourism: Domestic travel is booming, with cities like New York, Miami, and Chicago drawing crowds for major sports and music events. Madison leads with a 250% surge, likely driven by a concert series hosted by an iconic British band. San Juan follows with a 55% increase after a Puerto Rican rapper announced a 21-show residency from July – September.[1]
• Italian Adventures: American travelers are also seeking Italian escapes, with the Campania region, Lombardy and Alghero seeing a surge in interest this summer of over 100% year-over-year[2].

“This summer, the trend of ‘tour tourism’ continues as travelers head to destinations like Madison, Wisc. and San Juan, Puerto Rico to see their favorite musical acts,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations. “Rising costs also have Americans searching for ways to stretch their travel dollar and the Summer Outlook shows that sandwiching the summer is the key – prices are lower in early June and late August.”

Data from the report shows that travelers can save the most and avoid the crowds between August 18-31. Additional cost-saving tips include:

Best and Busiest Times to Fly and Stay This Summer

• Cheapest Time to Travel and to Avoid the Crowds: Late August offers the most affordable fares and fewer crowds for both domestic and international trips, as peak summer vacations wind down.
• Most Expensive Time to Travel: Late June and early July are the priciest and busiest times.
• Peak Busy Periods: Early to mid-June marks the busiest travel period, with many Americans starting their summer vacations. Thursday, June 19, is one of the busiest travel days, coinciding with Juneteenth. [3]

Where to Go (Domestic)

• Trending Destinations: Madison (+250%), Baton Rouge (+165%), Tallahassee (+75%), Cleveland (+40%), Champaign (+40%), Palm Beach (+40%), Sacramento (+30%), Maui County (+25%), Charleston (+25%) and Nantucket (+25%).
• Popular Destinations: Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, Miami, Chicago, San Juan, Honolulu, Seattle, Los Angeles and Myrtle Beach

Where to Go (International)

• Trending Destinations: Campania Region (+210%), Gran Canaria (+125%), Alghero (+110%), Miyako, Okinawa (+105%), Lombardy (+100%), County Antrim (+100%), Cairns (+75%), Alicante (+70%), Bonaire (+65%) and Sapporo, Hokkaido (+60%).
• Popular Destinations: Cancun, Punta Cana, Paris, London, Tokyo, Rome, Aruba, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Barcelona

Head to the Expedia Newsroom for more insights and tips from the Summer Travel Outlook.

Best Times to Fly

• The most affordable domestic travel dates are Tuesday, August 19, and Monday, August 25, when demand drops as summer winds down.
• Travelers aiming to avoid peak prices should steer clear of Thursday, June 27, and Thursday, August 26, when airfare reaches its highest levels, coinciding with the onset of summer vacations and back-to-school travel.
• The least busy days for air travel fall on Wednesday, August 25, and Thursday, August 26, allowing for a more relaxed airport experience.
• The busiest travel dates, Thursday, June 19, and Thursday, August 5, align with high-traffic periods, particularly around the Juneteenth national holiday and peak summer break.
• For international flights, a similar trend emerges, with the cheapest dates around mid-to-late August and the busiest dates falling in early to mid-June as the summer rush begins.

Best Times to Stay

• For domestic stays, the cheapest dates fall on Sundays, June 1 and June 8, making early summer a prime window for affordable lodging.
• As the summer progresses, prices climb significantly around major holidays, with Wednesday, July 2, and Thursday, July 3, standing out as the most expensive dates due to increased demand surrounding the 4th of July celebrations.
• Travelers looking to avoid the crowds and save should consider booking stays in late August, as Monday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 26.
• Conversely, weekends leading up to key summer holidays, like Friday, June 13, and Thursday, July 3, are among the busiest dates for accommodations.

Destination Insights

• Tour Tourism Trending US Destinations: Domestic travel is heating up, with cities like New York, Miami, and Chicago attracting visitors for major sports events and music festivals. Madison leads with a 250% surge in interest, likely due to a concert series by the iconic British band behind “Yellow” and “Fix You”. San Juan follows with a 55% increase after a Puerto Rican rapper announced his 21-show residency in Puerto Rico. Baton Rouge, Tallahassee and Cleveland are also trending for their unique blend of cultural heritage, outdoor adventures and emerging culinary and arts scenes.

• Fast-track Beach Getaways: Proximity is key as Americans seek quick escapes within a four-hour flight. Cancun, Punta Cana, Aruba, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Bonaire remain top picks, offering sun, sand, and sea without lengthy travel. These destinations are ideal for spontaneous trips and provide hassle-free beachside relaxation.
• Italian Adventures: Italy is a top summer destination for Americans, with the Campania region (+210%) and Alghero (+110%) showing remarkable spikes in interest in beach getaways. Lombardy (+100%) is also trending, highlighting a growing desire for outdoor experiences along the Great Lakes of Northern Italy where temperatures are cooler when compared to other popular cities such as Rome or Florence that can reach 100°F during the summer months. Other trending European destinations include Spain’s Gran Canaria and Alicante, as well as Northern Ireland’s County Antrim.
• All-Inclusive Vacations: Known for their extensive all-inclusive offering, the interest in Gran Canaria, Spain (+125%), and Alicante, Spain (+70%) is growing allowing travelers to enjoy a stress-free vacation with everything included.
• Detour Destinations: This summer, travelers are increasingly opting for Detour Destinations to escape the crowds and explore hidden gems during the off-peak season. Miyako (+105%) in Japan is gaining traction with its pristine beaches, lush greenery and crystal-clear waters, offering an ideal alternative to more crowded island destinations. Similarly, Cairns (+75%) in Australia is attracting adventurous travelers eager to explore the Great Barrier Reef during Australia’s quieter low season.

Summer Travel Tips

Expedia provides a range of traveler tools aimed at making your journey more convenient. These tools help simplify bookings, save on airfare, and streamline the overall planning process such as:

• Flight Deals: Use Expedia’s latest money-saving tool, available exclusively on the app, to unlock fares that are at least 20% cheaper than the typical estimated price.[1]

• 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.[2]
• 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 Drop Protection: 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, Gold and Platinum One Key members on eligible bookings will automatically receive a refund in OneKeyCash.[3]
• 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.  

ENDS

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[1] Expedia predicts flight deals based on historical data collected from searches made on or by Expedia for this route. See site for details.

[2] Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available to members on select routes. 

[3] 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. 

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[1] The popular destinations list is based on lodging searches on Expedia.com between December 9, 2024, and March 9, 2025, for travel between June 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.

[2] The trending destinations list is based on lodging searches on Expedia.com between December 9, 2024, and March 9, 2025, for travel between June 1, 2025 and  August 31, 2025 compared to the same time in 2024.

[3] Based on average daily rate changes and average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between June 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025