Summer Travel Guide: Cheapest Destinations & Tips To Save On Peak Season

With airfare down 5% year-over-year in March, summer 2025 is shaping up to be a season of opportunity for those who prioritize cheap flights to summer destinations and travel with good value. (For the more than 2 million members using Going, that means access to expert-vetted deals and real-time data on where and when to fly for less. Download the Going app to get access to summer deals today.) 

“Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and tariffs are already softening demand for a season that usually delivers big revenue for airlines,” says Going travel expert Katy Nastro. “Deep discounts on long-haul flights during pricey months of July and August suggest even airlines are noticing a shift in how people are spending and where they are coming from to spend (referencing a noticeable dip in foreign arrivals). If you’ve been putting off booking or fearing summer travel is out of your budget, now might actually be your sweet spot for finding a diamond deal in this rough situation.”

According to broader airfare data analyzed by Going, domestic average airfare¹ for June through August is $432 roundtrip, while international fares are higher at $1,513. (Note: These are normal prices, not Going deal prices.) Cheap flights to summer destinations can be hard to come by. But while summer flights are still more expensive than other times of year, with the right strategy travelers can find real savings.

Key takeaways: What the travel slowdown means for summer airfare

1. If fewer people are flying, flights are going to get cheaper. When demand dips, airlines look to drop prices to fill seats. This summer, that could mean more flash sales, fare wars on major routes, and deals targeting budget-conscious travelers. 
2. International deals will be disproportionately abundant. Deals to Europe during peak summer dates are popping up more—and sticking around longer than usual—due to the dip in international arrivals to the US.
3. Premium cabins are becoming more accessible. After several years of airlines capitalizing on premium-leisure demand, shifting traveler priorities may now make premium cabins more affordable as fewer people are opting to splurge on business class seats.
4. There will be significantly higher award availability. Airlines release seats to award availability that they don’t expect to be able to sell at a high profit. With consumer sentiment down and travel volume stagnating, airlines can’t expect the same profitability they’ve enjoyed in years past. That’s good news for those with stashes of frequent flyer miles.

Why August is the cheapest month to fly

Of the three peak months, August emerges as the most budget-friendly¹ for both domestic and international flights, averaging just $424 domestically and $1,224 internationally. That’s more than $180 cheaper than flying overseas in June, and $22 less than domestic prices in July, making late-summer travel a sweet spot for deal-seekers. 

Why? Many schools in the South head back in session by early August, meaning fewer families are traveling, and that effect grows as the month goes on. By region, Latin America and the Caribbean are the standout values, with average fares of $752 and $703 respectively, both significantly lower than fares to Europe ($1,232) or Asia ($2,064). 

“If you’re looking for a good deal on summer travel, your best bet is to aim for the first two weeks of June or the last two weeks of August. Prices peak during the middle eight weeks when just about everyone’s out of school, but things are a bit more scattered at the edges. Take Hawaii for example, which sees less tourists in September than any other month of the year. If you can target the very end of August into Labor Day, you just might score the best of both worlds, fewer crowds and better fares,” says Nastro.

Cheap summer destinations in 2025

Going has surfaced hundreds of deals² for summer 2025, and the data is clear: Travelers on the fence about booking can still score major savings. Here are some of the best summer destinations for this year. 

Cheap US flights for summer 2025

• Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Nashville to Alaska: from $327 roundtrip (45% off)
• DC, Charlottesville, Asheville to Nantucket: from $127 roundtrip (68% off)
• Manchester (New Hampshire) and Hartford to Myrtle Beach: from $88 roundtrip (75% off)

Cheap flights to Europe for summer 2025

• DC to Valencia, Spain: $455 roundtrip (52% off)
• Boston to Geneva, Switzerland: $483 roundtrip (46% off)
• Newark to Milan (business class): $1,687 roundtrip (56% off)
• NYC to Greek Islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu): from $584 roundtrip (42% off)

Cheap international flights in June

• Nashville to Fairbanks, Alaska: $385 roundtrip (54% off)
• Indianapolis to USVI: $297 roundtrip (50% off, avoids hurricane season)
• Chicago to Lima, Peru: $418 roundtrip (44% off)

Cheap international flights in July

• Austin to Vancouver: $195 roundtrip (64% off)
• Denver to Paris (business class): $2,725 roundtrip (39% off)
• Philadelphia, Seattle, Cleveland, Denver, LA, Chicago to Dublin (economy): 35,000 points +$75 roundtrip

Cheapest international flights in August

• San Francisco to Bangkok, Thailand: $716 roundtrip (38% off)
• LA to Nadi, Fiji: $745 roundtrip (38% off)
• Cincinnati to Tokyo (premium economy): $1,781 roundtrip (45% off)

Tips to score cheap flights this summer

These tips are all about getting the best fare, not just surviving the airport.

1. Book early, while you still can. Use the Goldilocks Window: Book 3–7 months ahead for domestic and 4–10 months ahead for international travel. 
2. Set a flight alert. Prices change fast, especially for places to go in the summer. Setting a flight alert in the Going app lets you track specific routes and get notified the moment prices drop, so you never miss a great deal.
3. Fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and avoid Sundays. When it comes to timing your trip, your departure day can make a big difference. Airfare trends consistently show that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly, while Sundays are the most expensive.
4. Redefine what a “deal” looks like. During peak summer, $600 roundtrip to Europe is often a great fare from major US cities. For smaller airports, it’s closer to $900. (By contrast, off-peak prices are regularly sub-$500 and sub-$600, respectively.)
5. Get creative with routing. Can’t find a cheap flight to your final destination? Use the “Greek Islands Trick”—fly to a cheaper nearby city, then book a separate budget flight, train, bus, or ferry to get to your intended end point. It can save hundreds per ticket.
6. Act fast, but use the 24-hour rule. Airlines let you cancel within 24 hours if you book at least 7 days before departure. Use this window to grab a deal now and firm up plans later.
7. Cash in your points. Summer is the perfect time to use miles or credit card points, since cheap cash fares are harder to find. You’ll get more value per point during peak season, and with Going with Points, members can easily spot award deals that are actually worth booking
8. Let Going do the work. We search flights 24/7 and alert our 2+ million members when we find great deals. Members save an average of $200 for domestic tickets and $550 for international tickets.

6 destinations trending for summer

According to flight alert trends in the Going app and insights from the State of Travel 2025 report³, certain destinations are seeing a clear rise in popularity, especially among Gen Z travelers and those seeking alternatives to overcrowded European cities. Increased deal activity, added flight capacity to some destinations, and shifting traveler preferences are driving interest in Asia, lesser-visited parts of Europe, and nature-centric domestic destinations.

1. Tokyo: There’s a marked increase in interest for Asia travel in 2025, especially with more US-Asia flight capacity being added and better deals emerging​​. Gen Z is showing disproportionate enthusiasm for trips to Asia.
2. Lisbon, Portugal: In addition to a high number of flight alerts set in the Going app, Lisbon is trending due to affordability, unique cultural experiences, and increasing air service.
3. Athens, Greece: Greece continues to rise as a preferred alternative to pricier or more crowded European destinations like London or Paris.
4. Seattle, Washington: With increased interest in US travel and the Great Outdoors, Seattle’s access to national parks and coastal culture makes it a strong trending domestic choice​.
5. Denver, Colorado: Ties into the trend toward national parks, outdoor recreation, and more “countryside” adventures​.
6. Honolulu, Hawaii: While not exactly new, the ongoing increase in domestic and wellness travel keeps Hawaii in trend territory, especially among travelers seeking outdoors and relaxation​.

¹Based on average prices of fares sourced from all Travelport searches conducted between April 1, 2025 - April 9, 2025 inclusive, for any itinerary departing on or after 5/29 and returning on or before 9/2. Travel by month is defined by the month of the departure date.

²These fares represent just a sample of what Going members are seeing, and more live deals can be found in the Going app.

³Based on Flight Alerts set by members in the Going app in 2025 for travel dates between June 1 and August 31, 2025, as well as insight from Going’s 2025 State of Travel Report.