Summary
- Domestic airfare trends ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend.
- Cheaper travel strategies to avoid peak days.
- Popular travel destinations for this year’s holiday.
- Hotel pricing insights and recommendations for travelers.
Domestic airfare ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend has dropped a whopping 27 percent compared to last year, offering welcome news for travelers as international prices continue to rise.
An average roundtrip domestic flight for the holiday weekend now costs $300 — or $100 less than the same time last year, according to the travel app Hopper. This price aligns with 2019 pre-pandemic figures and highlights a significant contrast with international travel, where flights to Europe, for example, remain the highest they’ve been in at least five years.
However, some days are indeed more expensive to travel than others. Travelers who depart on Saturday, July 1, and return on either Monday or Tuesday can save an average of $74 per ticket. The most popular days to travel are Friday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 4.
Fourth of July Travel: Cheaper Deals Available
Travelers aiming to avoid the crowds should consider journeying outside of the busiest departure times, which generally occur late morning (approximately 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and early evening (around 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
“Travelers taking to the skies this long weekend are reserving trips to Las Vegas, Atlanta, and New Orleans, among many other large US cities,” Hopper noted in the report. “International travelers are remaining regional, with destinations in Mexico, Canada, and Puerto [Rico] being the most popular on Hopper this 4th of July weekend. ”
For those still seeking to catch a deal, Hopper recommends traveling on Saturday, July 1, returning on Monday, July 3. Suggestions for destinations? The company offers fares for as low as $90 between major cities when booked through its app.
Experts at Hopper encourage checking out major cities to secure last-minute savings, as “Hotel prices in large cities like NYC and Las Vegas typically decrease closer to the check-in date.”
While trips to Europe may be costly this summer, Hopper noted that travelers looking for an international getaway can still find deals to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In fact, these trips are being offered at less than half the cost of a trip to Europe or Asia.
When it comes to hotels, rates have remained consistent compared to last year for the July 4 holiday weekend, with an average cost of $197 per night. Travelers appear to prefer accommodations in major cities such as Las Vegas, Miami, and New York domestically, as well as destinations like London, Madrid, and Bangkok internationally.
