It's a trap that so many travelers deplore: summer is the the most practical time to travel thanks to good weather and numerous federal holidays for extend this vacation. But summer holidays – like Memorial Day weekend, June 16, July 4 and Labor Day weekend – are among the most expensive days of the year to travel, which leads many potential tourists to stay at home.
But if you buy your plane ticket during the correct booking window, it is still possible to make a deal on flights departing in June, July and August. We are talking about round-trip flights from New York to Copenhagen for just $459, from Chicago to Madrid for $540, and from Boston to Cancun for just $296, according to Hopper.
But to guarantee cheap summer flights, the general consensus is to wait no longer. “Especially if you're looking to catch a flight during one of the many holiday weekends this summer, you should start planning now before you miss out on the best deals,” says Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner global expert on travel trends and destinations. A good rule of thumb is to book at least a month out, and buying tickets even further in advance could result in greater savings.
When planning your summer holidays, there's also much more to consider than holiday crowds. According to Skyscanner data, the most popular week for international travel this summer, it's the week of June 10, while domestic flights are expected to peak in popularity the following week, June 17, which is the same week as June 17.
That's a lot to consider, we know. So, to help cut through the noise, we asked the experts at Skyscanner, Going and Hopper for their best budget travel tips on how to find cheap summer flights for every holiday weekend this year .
In these countries, the current exchange rate will be your best ally.
Memorial Day Weekend
The booking window to find a deal on flights for Memorial Day weekend, which falls on Monday, May 27 this year, is closing quickly. “Now you'll find the best prices for Memorial Day weekend,” says Lindsay Schwimer, travel expert at Hopper. Condé Nast Traveler. “Book by April 15th as prices will only increase as we get closer to Memorial Day.” In the final three weeks leading up to the long weekend, prices are expected to rise more than $40 per week, Hopper's data shows.
June 10
This year, June 19, celebrated every year on June 19, falls on a Wednesday. The fact that it's a midweek day off in 2024 and that it's a new federal holiday, could mean a better chance of getting cheaper plane tickets. “June 17 is a holiday that falls at the very beginning of the peak summer travel season, when some schools are still in session – and not all employers observe this day – so you may be able to find deals a little closer,” he added. € says Katy Nastro, travel expert at On the way.
However, mid-June usually ends up being a popular time for travelers, “so expect higher airfares overall,” says Schwimer. According to Hopper, the best time to book is now: mid-March. But booking by May 1 at the latest should prevent prices from becoming too exorbitant.
Fourth of July
Falling on a Thursday in 2024, July 4 will be a tempting time for American travelers to take a long weekend and fly to a destination a little further from my house.
