As temperatures begin to warm and bank accounts begin to recover from holiday shopping, many young Americans are turning their thoughts to getting away from it all and planning the perfect trip to maximize their upcoming time off from school.
Spring break season is just around the corner.
But travel experts say that there’s been a shift from the debaucherous, booze-fueled adventures of years past, with more of an emphasis on memorable experiences that can actually be remembered.
“The typical spring break has changed … now you’re seeing record demand for parks and destinations for giving back (with volunteer work),” HotelPlanner CEO Tim Hentschel told USA TODAY.
Likewise, a recent press release from travel insurance website Squaremouth touted scuba diving and hiking jaunts in remote locations like Australia, Costa Rica and Peru as possible destinations for the active-minded spring breaker.
So what are the most important things to know when planning your spring break getaway this year?
First off, you can expect the price of simply getting to and from your destination to be more affordable than they were in 2023.
Flights from the U.S. to Europe are down 7% and flights to Central America and Mexico are down 11%, according to the 2024 Spring Break Travel Outlook published by Hopper.
“They’re not paying more (for flights) than what they paid last year,” Hentschel said.
Hopper also recommends booking your arrival and departure for midweek because traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday can be as much as 38% cheaper than weekend trips.
Another important tip is to book early to get better deals: One to two months in advance for airfare and at least 30 days in advance for hotels, especially when it comes to popular travel destinations.
So which places are the most sought-after spring break retreats?
Hopper lists the top five domestic cities for spring break as Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Nashville.
Internationally, the top five are Cancun, London, Punta Cana, Los Cabos and Tokyo.