PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Spring is just around the corner — and, if you book a flight now, your next vacation could be just as close!
“Airfare costs an average of just over $250 round trip for spring break in the United States,” said Hayley Berg, a representative for travel app Hopper. “This is lower than last year and pre-pandemic prices.”
She gave 12 News some tips for affordable spring travel:
Buy your plane tickets at least a month in advance.
“We recommend booking now if you plan to travel in March and booking before mid-March if you plan to travel in mid-April,” Berg said.
Be flexible with your travel dates.
Berg said booking a flight Tuesday or Wednesday can save you about 39% — “about $150 per ticket for domestic travel and a very similar amount for international travel.”
Plan for “spring break” rates.
Booking a hotel for spring break will likely still be expensive compared to non-spring break periods. Berg's suggestion? “Book within 48 hours of check-in in major cities and you can often save a lot – up to 30% on your hotel stay,” she told 12 News.
Expect delays.
Spring is the time of year when airlines open their schedules to more flights and more destinations, Berg said. At the same time, unexpected weather can cause disruption.
She recommends booking the first flight of the day to avoid overnight delays.