(WHTM) — There's finally some good news for summer travelers: Prices are dropping a bit, especially if you're planning on traveling by plane.
For the first time in three years, air travelers have something to rejoice in: airfares have dropped. Bunny Sandvig says he found an amazing price for a flight to Seattle that he called “super cheap.”
A surge in post-pandemic travel has sent airfares soaring in 2023. But prices are falling this year as demand slows and jet fuel costs fall. The average fare for the summer is $305, down 6% from the same time last year, Hopper said. Tickets to Europe are down nearly 10%. Low-cost carriers such as Frontier Airlines are advertising tickets as low as $19.
But saving money on travel doesn't have to end at the airport.
At this interstate rest stop, Joe Kluesner and his family were thankful that gas prices hadn't skyrocketed so far this year.
“Yeah, it's not as bad as it was last summer,” Kluethner said.
Gas prices are actually down a bit, too: The national average is $3.44, 14 cents lower than this time last year, according to AAA, which attributes lower demand to inflation-weary Americans shortening the length of their road trips.
Jennifer Chamberlain said that's not surprising. “It's crazy, the prices are so high I can't imagine many people can travel,” she said.
Unfortunately, hotel and Airbnb prices remain high, so while prices are still well above pre-pandemic levels, travelers are hoping for some relief in 2024.
With many consumers cutting back on their travel plans, demand should continue to decline, creating better deals so you don't waste your money.
