How to Save Summer Travel in 2025

Earlier this spring, consumers were happy with the summer vacation prospects. More and more people are planning to travel compared to last year, and the summer travel budget has also increased, according to a new Deloitte report.

But just a few weeks later — with President Donald Trump announcing widespread tariffs, stocks plummeted, risking fears of recession — some possible vacationers suddenly shrank their spending plans, a second round of investigations.

According to a new Deloitte report, about 53% of respondents plan to have a leisure vacation this summer, which is 48% in 2024.

The report is based on two surveys: one was conducted between March 26 and April 1, 2025 and the other was conducted between April 7 and April 9. The first survey reached 1,794 travelers and 2,132 non-travelers, while the second survey reached 1,064 travelers and 880 non-travelers.

Deloitte found that the initial summer travel budget will grow 21% year-on-year to $4,967. In the second round of survey, travelers are expected to be 13% more than last year, about $4,606.

When looking at the budget for the longest trip this season, respondents initially planned to spend an average of $3,987, up 13% from 2024. The budget is expected to drop to $3,471 in the second poll, an increase of less than 1% from the same period last year.

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Deloitte's transportation, hospitality and service leader Kate Ferrara said Deloitte conducted a second poll as the company noticed “soft” consumer spending in other areas they were studying.

“We still see a strong summer travel season, but maybe taking a more frugal approach,” Ferrara said.

Broadly speaking, travel costs have fallen, which may help travelers who want to expand their budget. According to the latest report from Nerdwallet, hotel prices fell 2.4% from the same period last year. In the same time frame, car rental costs also fell by 2.1%, while air tickets fell by 7.9%.

According to the travel agency's summer outlook for 2025, the average round-trip domestic air tickets will be $265 per ticket this summer. This has been down 3% from $274 in 2024 since 2019, the lowest level in three years.

Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, said the cost of travel for international travel is often reduced. Hopper found that the average round-trip flight tickets for the most popular international destinations in the United States and Europe were priced at $850 per ticket this summer, down 8% from 2024.

Despite the slightly lower travel prices, people are usually spending more due to inflation, and the remaining money may be spent on non-essential items such as travel, Deloitte’s Ferrara said.

Deloitte found that 34% of respondents plan to cut their food spending activities, such as food or paid-guided travel, among those who reduce their summer travel budget. About 30% plan to be with family and friends instead of paying for accommodation, while 21% choose to drive rather than fly to their destination.

Experts say you can save money this summer if you have the flexibility to have a holiday, destination, what to do while you are there, and how to transport.

“The root of all hackers saving this summer is flexibility,” Berger said.

Hopper found that air tickets tend to soar or higher during federal holiday weekends such as July 4 and Labor Day. This year, these weekends will be about 34% higher than other weekends.

Berger said not to consider flying in mid-summer, but to consider delaying travel in late season, late August or even early September. As the new school year begins, prices and travel demand usually drops and employees return to their regular work schedules, she said.

And, according to the website's report, flying in the mid-week can help save up to 20% of your tickets.

Hopper found that traveling on domestic flights on domestic flights this summer can also help vacationers save about $67. This flexibility can help travelers save over $100 on international travel to Europe or Asia.