New analytical data from Skyscanner.com has found that the best week of the summer to travel for the cheapest cost is August 19th. Families of four can save up to $1,064 by traveling during this seven-day stretch as opposed to other times in the summer. This opportunity is being taken advantage of by only 4% of travelers, according to the site. Round trips from Chicago to Barcelona can start at $1,236 in June, but during the week of August 19th, they are averagely priced at $733. Similarly, flights from Los Angeles to London are close to $1,000 consistently throughout the summer, but that same week the average cost is cheaper at $724.
Travelers looking to visit Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic can benefit from average prices of $524 during the week of August 26, as opposed to the usual cost of around $1,000 during the warm weather months. On the other hand, a flight from San Francisco to Dublin, Ireland, which can be close to $2,000 on many days in the coming weeks, costs an average of $933 between August 3 and 9. The most popular time for Americans to travel is the first week of July, ahead of Independence Day, even though it comes at a 29% price increase compared to the week of August 19. The second most expensive week to fly this summer is June 17.
For families who find the end of August inopportune due to back-to-school preparations and the end of summer, there are still destinations enjoying price drops consistently over the coming season. Split, Croatia is seeing a 24% drop in flight costs, as is Zurich, Switzerland. In Croatia, Dubrovnik is experiencing a 22% price reduction, while flights to Bucharest, Romania are also down 22%. In The Bahamas, despite travel warnings over murders and gang violence, flights to Nassau have a 23% dip in costs.
Overall, the data from Skyscanner highlights the significant savings that families can achieve by traveling during the most cost-efficient week of the summer. By taking advantage of this information, travelers can save hundreds of dollars on airfare to popular destinations such as Barcelona, London, and Punta Cana. For those who may find the end of August inconvenient, there are still opportunities to enjoy reduced flight costs to destinations such as Split, Zurich, Dubrovnik, Bucharest, and Nassau. By planning their trips accordingly, families can make the most of their summer vacations without breaking the bank.