This summer is shaping up to be one of the busiest for travel.
If you haven't finalized your summer travel plans yet, you better do it soon. According to AAA, bookings for cruises, tours, hotels and flights are all up this year.
"Travel demand has come roaring back this summer and we're already seeing large crowds at popular domestic and international travel destinations," Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA, said in a statement. "The recent decision to lift all international travel restrictions will only add to demand."
According to a new AAA travel survey, 83% of respondents will travel this year, and more than half (60%) are taking a summer vacation. However, only 1 in 4 (23%) summer travelers have finalized their plans. Nearly half (47%) are currently planning travel and another quarter (27%) are thinking about plans.
So, where is everybody going? According to AAA, the most popular summer vacations are to beach destinations (42%), major cities (32%), national and state parks (28%), theme parks (26%) and lake destinations (24%). Rounding out the list of vacation destinations are all-inclusive resorts (19%), international travel (14%), ocean cruises (12%), land tours (11%), river cruises (8%) and guided tours (7%).
The survey shows that 86% of travelers are planning to take a road trip this summer. AAA says those travelers should expect congestion near beaches and attractions, particularly on weekends and holidays.
Another 30% of travelers will take a commercial flight, while 21% will fly then drive. To reduce the likelihood of flight delays or cancellations, AAA suggests booking a non-stop flight that leaves early in the morning. You should also arrive at the airport at least two hours early, AAA says.
The survey shows 36% of people plan to rent a car when they arrive at their destination.
"Rental car availability has improved, yet inventory is likely to be tight at airports, due to strong demand," AAA says. "Rates are often more expensive the closer you get to your desired rental date, so book early for the best combination of availability and price."
Another 8% will travel in an RV and 5% will take a train, according to the survey.
More than half (55%) of travelers plan to stay at a hotel or resort, the survey shows, while 25% are renting a house, villa or room, and 14% will stay on a cruise ship.
AAA says the vast majority (85%) of travelers are staying in the United States. At the same time, international travel bookings are up more than 200% compared to 2022. If you're planning to see the world, getting your passport now is a must.
"Strong demand and pandemic-related backlogs have led to passport processing delays. Wait times have increased from 8-11 weeks to 10-13 weeks," AAA says.
The most popular destinations outside of the U.S. include the Caribbean (11%), Europe (11%), Canada (6%), Central America (5%) and South America (4%), according to the survey.
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