by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Tue April 28, 2026
A new summer travel report from Skyscanner found that price is a major planning challenge for those looking to book summer travel, with 38% of travelers in the U.S. lingering on making their travel plans even as the world heats up and summer gets closer.
Skyscanner’s 2026 Smarter Summer report uses data from research conducted among 2,000 travelers in March, 2026. It found that 20% of Americans consider price the major challenge for booking summer travel.
“Summer vacations are special, but for many travelers still looking to book, the planning side requires more thought than ever,” explained Lourdes Losada, Director of Americas at Skyscanner. “That’s why this year’s Smarter Summer Report is designed to help people make more confident choices on when and where to travel, using Skyscanner’s proprietary data to highlight smarter timings, better-value options and alternative destinations.
“In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value. More importantly, travelers should stay informed and check the latest travel advice before booking.”
Flexibility is Key to Saving This Summer
American travelers expect to spend $331 on flights for their summer vacation abroad, with 61% trying to be more flexible to get the best deal. Skyscanner encourages money-conscious travelers to consider cheaper travel weeks, cheaper alternative destinations and checking live fares.
The week for the best value for flights is the week of August 10, when travelers can snag over $200 in savings on flights to Rome. The week of August 31 is also particularly good for flights heading to Tokyo, Japan, when travelers can save just under $150.
Unlikely Destinations Take Precedence
Additionally, 73% of Americans are visiting places that none of their social group had been to before, with Gen Z dominating this new trend, at 77%. These second- or third-city destinations are less obvious travel choices, but might actually save them money.
These destinations include Aberdeen, U.K., where flights can be as little as $413 one-way; Redmond, Oregon; Asuncion, Paraguay; Trieste, Italy, Bastia, France; Liverpool, U.K., Hilo, Hawaii and more.
Group Travel
While over half of Americans believe planning group travel is more stressful than planning a wedding, with 29% reporting that finding the best accommodation being the hardest part and 30% reporting that determining a budget is the worst, Skyscanner believes choosing a less popular destination with relatively low airfare and rental car prices, like San Diego, Asheville, or Madison can help make the group trip easier and more cost effective.
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