Despite the steep cost of airfare, a significant number of US travelers are headed to Europe this summer.
Hayley Berg who works as an economist for Hopper Lead said that “If you’re booking a European vacation now, you are definitely paying premium for your procrastination.” Comparing the $500 average plane ticket from 2021, it has now skyrocketed to $1196. This is the priciest since 2018.
However, Berg said that “Americans are biting the blood on those airfares.”
So how many Americans are traveling to Europe? Compared to summer 2022, the numbers are expected to increase by 55%. According to Daniel Duazo, director of external communications for Allianz Partners USA, “Last year, we saw a major increase in American travel to Europe and this summer indicates even higher demand, so it’s more important than ever to plan for a busy summer travel season.”
According to an Allianz Partners survey, London, Paris, and Dublin are among the top destinations for Americans this summer.
Cheaper Alternative for US Travelers
Since flights to popular European spots like Rome, Paris, and London are already expensive, those who want to save some money on airfare should consider choosing the off-beaten path. Portugal is at the top of Berg’s list. According to Berg, flights from the East Coast to Porto still average for less than $1000. The reason why Portugal flights remain affordable is because of the many low-cost carriers in both Lisbon and Porto.
Then, Portugal is also cheaper compared to other locations. However, don’t expect the prices to stay this way for a long time. She estimates that the cheaper prices can last until the next year and a half since Portugal has seen a steady growth in its tourism over the years.
Berg added that if you’re seriously considering London, Paris, and other popular European destinations, then you might want to consider traveling by early fall. Planning three to four months in advance is a good way to secure the lowest prices possible. She said, “That’s why now is the best time to be booking fall trips.” She added that “September and October prices are super low. They will start rising.”
