by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Thu June 11, 2026
A new report from NerdWallet confirms what most consumers already know and have been grappling with for months: The cost to travel is skyrocketing.
The financial publication’s latest Travel Price Index, which is based on analysis of the cost of flights, lodging, car rentals and entertainment, shows that average U.S. travel costs are up 11% over the same time last year.
That’s the highest reported year-over-year increase since February 2023. Much of that increase is being driven by higher airfares. The cost of airline tickets have increased significantly amid the U.S.- Israel war on Iran, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and a global shortage of jet fuel.
“Airfares are up 26.7% year-over-year, largely due to surging oil prices,” says NerdWallet’s Sally French. "Throw in the fact that Spirit Airlines shut down in May, and it's clear how quickly reduced competition translates to higher fares on certain routes.”
Airline ticket prices, however, are merely one part of the picture. Other travel-related costs are up significantly as well. Hotels and motel prices are up 5.1%, the cost of dining out is up 3.5%, and movies, theaters and concert costs are up 4.4%.
“To help put those numbers in perspective, overall prices for the past 12 months through May 2026 rose 4.2% before seasonal adjustment,” says the NerdWallet report.
The only travel-related cost that hasn’t increased is car rentals, which are down 6.1%.
Car rental prices make “road trips a genuinely smart option for cost-conscious travelers right now — assuming you can get around those high gas prices,” says French.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
