According to data from Hopper, the deal-finding site and app, travel prices will drop 40% in the early weeks of fall.
The cost of every aspect of travel has increased, including gas, airfare, hotels, food and more. As a result, Americans are spending much more on their summer vacations now than before the pandemic.
This month is starting to bring some relief to travelers. According to Hopper’s Travel Index, the price of a domestic flight will drop to $286 round-trip later in August. That’s a 25% drop from the peak price of $400 for summer flights in May.
After Labor Day, the cost will be even lower. The average price for a domestic flight in September and October is $238 roundtrip. That’s 37 percent less than 2019 and a savings of $142 over summer prices.
The cost of international travel is more variable. Airfares for travel in September and October have decreased to an average of $754 roundtrip, down 19% from summer pricing and a massive $179 cheaper, but that’s still 17% more expensive than in 2019.
Hopper advises making reservations for domestic flights at least three to six weeks in advance to obtain the best deal. Book flights for overseas travel at least four weeks before the trip.
When compared to peak summer pricing, some well-known West Coast destinations are experiencing the largest price reductions for fall.
San Diego’s average roundtrip cost is now $252, a significant decrease from the summertime high of $230. For the months of September and October, roundtrip airfares to Portland, Oregon, are averaging $314, a $218 discount from summertime costs. Additionally, the average roundtrip fare to Salt Lake City this fall will be $242, a $201 decrease from early summer.
Tips from Hopper on booking fall flights:
- Keep an eye on prices so you can see when airfares start to drop. Enter your travel dates and destination in the Hopper app, and you’ll be notified when a good deal is available.
- Do not put it off until the last minute. You’ll get the best prices if you book by mid-August for travel in September. Prices are lowest between three and six weeks before your vacation.
- Depart midweek. According to Hopper, you can often save at least $35 per ticket by flying on Tuesday or Wednesday. Also, note that hotel nights are much more expensive on weekends than during the week. Friday nights were the most expensive in 2022.
- Get Travel insurance to protect your trip from possible cancelations and delays.