It’s only early February, but it’s never too early to start thinking about spring break.
Travelers are making bigger plans, heading further afield this year, and paying higher prices. The average traveler pays $5,617 per person, up nearly 10 percent from last year, according to the latest statistics from travel insurance company Fay.
If you haven’t booked your trip yet, listen up. Between surging demand and rising costs for entertainment and dining, a “wait and see” strategy is a recipe for an unsolicited staycation.
When is spring break in America?
The timing of spring break varies by school district and university, but the danger zone for high prices lasts about six weeks.
Early March. This is the time of year when most major universities begin their holidays, flooding popular centers like Punta Cana and Las Vegas. Mid to late March. K-12 school district peak period. This is when family-friendly destinations like Orlando and Myrtle Beach are most in demand. Early April. Easter this year falls on April 5, so many districts are pushing the holiday into the first two weeks of April. “Split” season. From March 7th to April 12th, expect higher prices and less availability as holiday schedules change in various regions.
Tip: If you’re not tied to a school schedule, aim for shoulder period. Travel during the last week of February or the last two weeks of April and save up to 30% on accommodation costs. You’ll get the same weather as spring (depending on location, of course), half the crowds, and no peak season fees.
Some destinations are already overbooked
As we reported last week, AirDNA’s early booking data shows a surge in bookings for the 2026 spring break season. Demand in March increased by 8.9% compared to the previous year, and in April it increased by 11.4%.
If you’re eyeing the Gulf Coast, you’d better move quickly. Some destinations are already more than half full for March. Sarasota leads the way with 55 percent occupancy. Traditional leading cities are also filling up, with Orlando already booked over 400,000 nights and Phoenix/Scottsdale at 44 percent occupancy.
Easter coincides with early April, creating a “split” season that continues to put pressure on availability for two full months.
where is everyone heading?
If you’re looking for value, or a reliable tan, here are the destinations currently topping the charts for 2026.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. All-inclusive plans are extremely popular, and many resorts now offer free accommodation for children and teenagers.
Orlando, Florida. It’s still the family-friendly heavyweight champion, but the weather is more manageable, which makes it better now than in the sweltering summer months. Note: This space fills up quickly.
San Juan, Puerto Rico. US citizens don’t need a passport, making it an easy and budget-friendly tropical escape.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With plenty of condo rentals for groups, it’s a budget-friendly, traditional coastal spot.
Las Vegas. Despite its reputation for being upscale, the Strip offers competitively discounted hotels and free attractions for budget-minded guests. But beware of resort fees.
How to book like a pro
Real experts advise avoiding the crowded spring break travel period and aiming for safe zones: the last two weeks of February, the last two weeks of April, and early May (before Memorial Day).
Avoid weekends. Flying mid-week, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, can save you an average of $60 to $100 per ticket during the busy spring season. If you’re staying domestically, 40 to 45 days in advance is usually the best spot to book. Those heading abroad should start 3-5 months in advance, but you can still find gems if you’re flexible in choosing your gateway city. (Remember, spring break is relative; it’s the end of summer here in New Zealand, where I am now.)
Consider protection now more than ever. Travel insurance costs on average 4-6% of the total cost of your trip. The upfront fees add up, but it’s a small price to pay considering your savings can easily be wiped out by airline delays or medical emergencies. In an unstable world, it’s worth considering.
When others zigzag. This spring break, more travelers are opting for trips to the countryside—farm-to-table experiences—rather than crowded beach clubs. A contrarian approach will work this year.
Lesson learned: Book your spring break flights and rentals as early as possible. Demand is at its peak, and waiting another week could cause prices for everything from airfare to airport shuttles to skyrocket, costing you hundreds of dollars.
A final word on airfare transparency
Keep your calculator handy while searching for spring break deals. Last week, a federal appeals court struck down a Department of Transportation rule that required airlines to post full fares upfront, including baggage and currency exchange fees.
We discussed the merits of this rule yesterday.
The airline argued that communicating the total amount honestly would be “confusing” to passengers. I won’t buy it. We are not fooled by honest prices. We are confused by undisclosed fraud. This ruling allows airlines to keep the ball hidden until the last screen of the booking process. If you want to know how much you’re actually paying, you’ll have to do the math yourself.
Luxury travel could become affordable by 2026
If you’ve been waiting for the astronomical prices of premium travel to drop, your patience is about to be rewarded.
For the first time since the pandemic, the travel industry is showing signs of a significant cooling in demand. Even high-income travelers are starting to feel financially pessimistic, which is good news for their wallets, according to Deloitte’s new 2026 Travel Industry Outlook.
For years, airlines and hotels have focused on the ultra-wealthy, adding business class seats and suites that cost four figures a night. But Deloitte data shows travelers making more than $200,000 are suddenly leaving. Negative financial sentiment for this group jumped from 9% to 15% in just one year.
When big spenders stop spending, the industry has to pivot, and that usually means a deal for the rest of us.
Where will the hidden value lie in 2026?
While the ultra-luxury market (think $1,500+ per night) remains isolated, the mass-market luxury segment is struggling. It’s the perfect place for the savvy traveler.
Target the top and mid-range gaps. Occupancy rates at resort and city hotels, which typically cost $500 a night, are declining as high-income earners become more sensitive to deals. Look out for deep discounts and “stay 3 nights, get 1 night free” offers in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Austin.
Business class deals are back. Corporate travel is down, down 10% from last year. This allows airlines to have premium cabins that cannot be filled with business accounts. Expect more upgrade opportunities and reduced mileage requirements for business class seats.
AI is your new travel agent. Millennials have tripled their use of generative AI in travel planning. These tools can help you find overlooked itineraries that traditional search engines may have missed. Research shows that AI is particularly good at spotting price anomalies in the secondary market.
Shift system from Sunday to Monday. As business travel has eased, luxury hotels in urban areas that typically cater to consultants are now offering the cheapest stays on the “shoulder” days of the week: Sundays and Mondays.
Lesson: Don’t book the first deal you see. Hotels and airlines will have to compete for your business again this year. Wait for the luxury segment of the mid-market to soften before striking.
So, where are you going this week?
Would you like to have an early spring break? Or are we dealing with another winter storm? Our comments are open.
