Searches up 40% and International Beach Destinations Back on the Map
Searches for March and April flights are up 40% compared to the same time-frame last year, indicating that U.S. travelers are getting a head start on planning spring break getaways.
Average ticket prices for March and April flights are currently higher compared to this time in 2022, while average daily hotel rates are roughly flat versus Spring Break 2022.
Airfare prices peak in late March through early April, making early March and the latter half of April the cheapest times to fly this spring season.
Without the COVID-19 testing requirements of Spring Break 2022, travelers are returning to their favorite Mexico and Caribbean beaches like Puerto Vallarta and Punta Cana. March and April demand for international destinations is up double-digits compared to last year.
According to the latest data from Expedia, travelers are already planning their spring getaways, eyeing everything from Caribbean beach escapes to Alaskan cruises.
Flight searches for March and April travel are up 40%1 compared to the same time frame last year, with interest in international destinations like Punta Cana, Paris and Tokyo up double-digits compared to Spring Break 2022. While average ticket prices are higher than last year, price-conscious travelers will still find savings by avoiding the busiest travel dates, choosing less crowded destinations and taking advantage of package discounts.
Lodging and car rental rates remain relatively flat2 compared to Spring Break 2022. Savvy travelers can use these tips to score more value:
While around 64% of spring breakers tend to lock in hotels 90+ days in advance, the ones who wait tend to get better deals. Expedia lodging data shows that, historically, booking hotels closer to a month out yields savings of around $30 per night.2
Travelers seek to broaden their horizons this year, causing international beach destinations like Puerto Vallarta (+25%) and Punta Cana (+30%), along with culture capitals like Rome (+20%), Paris (+50%) and Tokyo (+55%) to see major spikes in flight searches.1
Spring breakers looking to stay closer to home but avoid busy beach destinations are flying to their favorite big North American cities including New York City (+5%) and Montreal (+40%) or unplugging in nature in places like Banff National Park (+40%) and Jackson Hole (+60%).1 Cruises are also picking up steam for spring break. Demand for spring cruises to Alaska, for example, is up nearly 25% compared to the same time frame last year while demand for European cruises gains momentum going into the summer.3
Still need help figuring out where to go this spring? Expedia's experts rounded up ten places to visit, including exciting domestic hotspots with airfare (ATP) under $350 and international bucket-list destinations under $700. Hotel prices (ADR) at these destinations remain under $350 per night.2
Fort Lauderdale
Toronto
Los Angeles
New York City
Portland
San Juan
Phuket
Copenhagen
Lisbon
Reykjavik
1Based on flight searches on Expedia.com. Compares searches made between November and December 2022 for travel March to April 2023 with searches made November and December 2021 for travel March to April 2022.
2Based on flight, conventional lodging or car rental demand on Expedia.com as of mid-January. Compares travel dates March to April 2022 with March to April 2023. Affordable destinations list is arranged by ATPs, lowest to highest, ranging from $315–$690; Prices noted are ATPs or average ticket prices for flights and ADRs or average daily rates for conventional lodging.
3Based on cruise demand on Expedia.com as of mid-January.
by Expedia Group | HNR Hotel News