Destination dupes, flexible timing, and travel packages help travellers make the most of their summer budgets 

As travel costs continue to rise, many travellers are taking a more budget‑conscious approach to their summer plans. According to Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook, travellers are increasingly focused on getting more value from every trip by choosing destination dupes, staying flexible with travel dates, and packaging their hotel and flights to make their summer budgets go further. 

Airfare prices are up by more than 24% year-on-year, driven by higher fuel costs. ¹ As a result, many travellers are choosing destinations closer to home or swapping iconic hotspots for more affordable alternatives that deliver similar experiences at a lower cost. 

“Summer travel still matters deeply to travellers, but how they travel is changing,” said Melanie Fish, Expedia Group Travel Expert & Spokesperson. “With airfare under pressure, travellers who stay flexible, stay closer to home and look beyond the obvious destinations can still unlock meaningful savings without compromising the experience. Travellers can also find added value by booking flights and hotels together. It’s about doing more with every travel pound.” 

Destination Dupes Deliver Big Savings Without Sacrificing the Experience 

While perennial favourites like Paris, Mallorca, Barcelona and Rome remain popular summer destinations, Expedia data shows travellers are increasingly considering destination dupes — locations that deliver comparable culture, food, beaches, and experiences, often at a better value and in a quieter setting. 

Domestic Destination Dupes² 

• London → Stirling 
  Up 45% year-over-year, Stirling delivers historic architecture, walkable streets and easy access to nature, offering a heritage‑rich city break experience, with hotel prices 15% lower than London, averaging £185 per night.  

• Edinburgh → St Andrews 
  Up 40% year-over-year, St Andrews blends medieval streets, coastal walks and cultural history, delivering much of Edinburgh’s charm in a smaller, more relaxed setting. 

• York → Harrogate 
  Up 40% year-over-year, Harrogate offers elegant architecture, green spaces and a refined food scene, making it an appealing alternative to York during peak summer months, with hotel prices 30% lower than York, averaging £130 per night. 

• Cornwall → Scarborough 
  Up 35% year-over-year, Scarborough delivers classic seaside appeal, sandy beaches and family‑friendly attractions, often with more accessible pricing than Cornwall in high season, with hotel prices 25% lower than Cornwall, averaging £135 per night.  

International Destination Dupes² 

• Paris → Ljubljana, Slovenia 
  Up 50% year-over-year, Ljubljana is emerging as a quieter dupe for Paris, offering romantic riverfront cafés, elegant bridges, green boulevards, and a cultured, walkable city feel, with hotel prices 15% lower than Paris, averaging £160 per night. 

• Corfu → Lefkada, Greece 
  Up 75% year-over-year, Lefkada offers turquoise waters, traditional villages and Greek island culture, appealing to travellers seeking scenery and sunshine, a stunning alternative to Greek mainstays, with hotel prices 35% lower than Corfu, averaging £190 per night. 

• Barcelona → Fuengirola, Spain 
  Up 60% year-over-year, Fuengirola delivers beach‑first relaxation, lively promenades and easy access to Andalusian culture, offering a lower‑key alternative to Barcelona in summer, with hotel prices 15% lower than Barcelona, averaging £160 per night. 

• New York → New Orleans, United States 
  Up 160% year-over-year, New Orleans blends historic neighbourhoods, a world‑class food scene and live music culture, offering a slower‑paced, more character‑driven alternative, with hotel prices 55% lower than New York, averaging £140 per night. 

Best Times to Save This Summer³ 

• Cheapest Days to Fly  

• Domestically: June 16 and August 21 

• Internationally: June 5 and 19  

• Cheapest Days to Stay  

• Domestically: June 7 and 21  

• Internationally: June 2 and 7  

• Quietest Days to Fly  

• Domestically: 29 July and 4 August  

• Internationally: 25 and 30 August  

• Quietest Days to Stay  

• Domestically: 25 and 31 August  

• Internationally: 30 and 31 August  

Buy More & Save with Packages 

As families look for ways to manage rising travel costs, bundling flights and hotels into a single package booking can be an effective way to save, compared with booking separately. Not all travel providers offer the same flexibility, but Expedia allows travellers to add accommodation after booking a flight and still access package pricing, which can be helpful if plans change. 

Sample summer packages⁴ on Expedia include: 

• Mallorca: A 7-night stay between 8-15 June at Hotel Costa Azul from £616* per person, including round‑trip flights with Ryanair from London Stansted. (Package savings⁵ of £218) 

• Greece: A 7-night stay between 15-22 June at Dioni Boutique Hotel from £353* per person, including round‑trip flights with Ryanair from London Stansted. (Package savings of £259) 

• Lisbon: A 4-night stay between 13-17 July at SANA Malhoa Hotel from £333* per person, including round‑trip flights with easyJet from London Gatwick. (Package savings of £183) 

• Amsterdam: A 3-night stay between 28–31 August at nhow Amsterdam RAI from £369* per person, including round‑trip flights with KLM from London Heathrow on the outbound flight and easyJet landing at London Stansted on the inbound flight. (Package savings of £58) 

Smart Summer Travel Tips 

• Look Beyond the Obvious Destination: Swapping a high‑profile city for a nearby alternative can unlock lower rates and fewer crowds. 

• Buy More & Save: Booking flights and hotels together can deliver significant savings per person and earn OneKeyCash™ for future trips. 

• Be Flexible with Dates: Traveling in early June or mid‑August can significantly reduce both hotel and flight costs. 

• Price Tracking: Find the right time to book a flight and get alerts when the price of a flight changes. 

• Consider Alternate Airports: Nearby or secondary airports can offer lower fares during peak summer weeks. 

• Book Early for Peak Travel: Lock in pricing before demand spikes around the busiest summer dates. 

Notes to Editors 

¹ Source: Teneo consultancy’s Aviation Outlook 2026: Impact of the Iran Conflict on Passenger Aviation (April 2026). 
² Based on lodging searches made on Expedia.co.uk between January 5 to April 12, 2026 for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2026 compared to same travel period in 2025. 
³ Based on average daily ticket price and average daily rate changes on Expedia.co.uk for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2026. 

⁴ Search made on 20 April for summer packages. Flight-inclusive Packages booked on Expedia.co.uk are ATOL-protected.  
⁵ Savings are for Expedia members only.  
* Pricing is inclusive of taxes and fees 

⁶ Based on searches made on Expedia.co.uk between 5 January and 12 April 2026 for travel between 1 June 2026 and 31 August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.