With the vacation craze behind us but summer still seeming so far away, travelers have a glimmer of hope for spring. Many look forward to getting away during spring break.
This year, more spring vacationers are seeking adventure, such as scuba diving or hiking in places like Australia, Peru or Costa Rica, according to the insurance platform's recent report Squaremouth trip. Press release.
Do you also influence spring break travelers? Social media influencers and set-jetting — visiting locations from their favorite shows or movies — HotelPlanner CEO Tim Hentschel told USA TODAY. Think of Italy after the last season of the “White Lotus”.
“The typical spring break has changed…you're now seeing record demand for parks and destinations to give back (with volunteer work),” Hentschel said. However, affordability and price are also priorities for most Americans hoping to book a spring break trip this year, according to Hopper's Travel Outlook for Spring Break 2024.
There's good news for travelers: prices won't be too bad if you book strategically.
Learn more: Best travel insurance
Here are four things you need to know about spring break travel for 2024:
1. Prices have plateaued
This year, spring break is lucky. Round-trip domestic and international airfares are cheaper than last year, according to Hopper. Flights to Europe fell 7% to an average of $640 and flights to Mexico and Central America fell 11% to an average of $447.
Even though spring break demand is up, prices won't be too high because there is enough supply, Hentschel said.
“They’re not paying more than they paid last year,” Hentschel said.
Where travelers will have to shell out is accommodation, especially during peak weekends. In the United States, the average rate for an overnight stay during spring break is $242. South of the border, in Cancun, Mexico, hotel rates average $339 per night, and in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the average nightly rate is almost $500. Across the Atlantic in London, hotels cost an average of $440 per night.
◾ Spring Break Tip: Start your weeklong vacation midweek instead of on the weekend to save up to $150 on a domestic round-trip plane ticket, Hopper recommended. Trips that start or end on a Tuesday or Wednesday can be up to 38% cheaper than trips on Saturday or Sunday.
2. Am I too late to book my spring break trip?
Whether national or international, plane tickets must be booked one to two months in advance to benefit from the best price.
When it comes to hotels, especially in coveted vacation destinations, “you get your best deals when you can book 30 days in advance,” Hentschel said.
Those who are more flexible about their destination can wait a bit. According to Hopper, travelers who base their trip on price rather than hotel amenities or the destination itself may wait 10 to 14 days before check-in to get the best deals.
◾ Spring Break Travel Tip: Purchase travel insurance within one to two weeks of your initial travel payment to get the best coverage. “Buying early opens the door to time-sensitive travel insurance benefits,” said James Clark of Squaremouth. “It also maximizes the amount of benefits for you.” These often include the ability to cancel your trip for any reason or for pre-existing reasons.
Learn more:Best travel insurance
3. Most Popular Spring Break Destinations
According to Hopper, here are the most popular spring break destinations:
Domestic:
◾ Orlando, Florida: average airfare $205, average hotel rate $175
◾ Las Vegas: average airfare $295, average hotel rate $178
◾ Miami: average airfare $251, average hotel rate $339
◾ Fort Lauderdale, Florida: average airfare $216, average hotel rate $288
◾ Nashville, Tennessee: Average airfare $186, average hotel rate $257
International:
◾ Cancun: average airfare $403, average hotel rate $339
◾ London – average airfare $643, average hotel rate $440
◾ Punta Cana: average airfare $466, average hotel rate $477
◾ Los Cabos, Mexico: $431 average airfare, $431 average hotel rate
◾ Tokyo – average airfare $1,368, average hotel rate $351
Cancun without the crowds:Meet Isla Mujeres, a quieter Mexican getaway
4. Cheap Spring Break Destinations to Consider
“I know everyone wants to go to Italy these days, but you can easily take multiple trips to these budget destinations for about the same price you could pay in Europe,” Clark said. “I think people need to think about whether they want to take one big trip or several small trips.”
For some cheaper beach destinations, swap Cancun for Jamaica and Puerto Rico for the Dominican Republic. Consider replacing Miami or Fort Lauderdale with Tampa.
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.
