As spring approaches, shifting booking patterns, evolving destination preferences and growing price consciousness point to a more flexible travel season.
Drawing on data from industry experts and observed trends, we’ve compiled a roundup of what advisors should keep in mind this spring.
Editor's note: This story was last updated on Mar. 12, 2026.
Trends From CheapOair
Trend 1: Late Bookings
According to travel agency CheapOair, travelers are booking their trips within 0-30 days of departure, reflecting continued caution in the post-pandemic landscape. Trips booked from 61 to 90+ days in advance now account for less than 25% of total bookings.
Trend 2: Beach and Activity-Driven Trips
Classic beach destinations remain strong, particularly for travelers seeking activities in the sun.
Beach and activity-driven trips are trending towards destinations such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic; Kingston, Jamaica; Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida; and Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
Trend 3: California in Demand
CheapOair also reports that Los Angeles and San Diego rank among the season’s top destinations for travelers looking for sunshine and beaches. Los Angeles is attracting young couples, friend groups and solo travelers looking for big-city energy, while San Diego offers more of a laid-back coastal escape for families and older travelers.
Trend 3: Family-Focused and Scenic Travel
At the same time, family-focused and scenic travel is leaning toward Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico; San Salvador, El Salvador; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Lima, Peru; Bangkok; Manila, Philippines; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; London; Paris; Vancouver, British Columbia; Toronto; and Montreal.
The mix reflects continued demand for beaches but also growing interest in urban and cultural experiences.
Trends From Google Flights
Trend 1: Cities on the Rise
Google Flights’ year-over-year search growth further underscores the shift toward cities and alternative domestic destinations. The data highlights Hilo, Hawaii; Asheville, North Carolina; Sarasota, Florida; Long Beach, California; and Vail, Colorado as destinations gaining momentum, with Florida’s west coast and mountain towns offering alternatives to traditional party-centric spring break trips.
Trends From Priceline
Trend 1: Airfare Down, Hotel Prices Up
Priceline’s Spring Break 2026 Snapshot shows airfare easing year over year, with domestic roundtrip tickets averaging $340 (-7%) and international fares averaging $703 (-8%), while hotel prices are up 3% domestically and 7% internationally. According to Priceline, travelers are balancing air savings with higher hotel prices and leaning into high-energy city destinations.
Trend 2: Hotspots and Standouts
Separately, Priceline reports that U.S classics such as Las Vegas, Orlando and Miami rank among the most popular spring break destinations, with London, Tokyo and Paris being international spring break hotspots. Surprise standouts include Albuquerque, New Mexico (+204%); Columbus, Ohio (+184%); and Omaha, Nebraska (+182%). Internationally, Hong Kong (+103%), Montreal (+83%) and Dubai (+44%) are gaining momentum.
Trends From Points Path
Trend 1: Budget-Friendly Trips
Points Path also shows spring break airfare decreasing, as travel between Feb. 21 and Apr. 13 is trending year over year with international routes seeing the biggest price drops.
The pricing shift reinforces CheapOair’s findings that trips booked closer to the date may actually have more flexibility to explore options.
Trend 2: Unconventional Getaways
Whether it’s a Western national parks road trip with stays near Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park or wildlife-focused expeditions in the Galapagos Islands, the softer airfare environment suggests that this season remains highly bookable, even for travelers finalizing plans closer to departure.
Trends From Hertz
Trend 1: Road Trips are Back
Hertz data suggests that SUVs and minivans are the most booked vehicle types for spring break 2026, reflecting the demand for practical group roadtrips and outdoor time.
States built for driving, such as Florida, California, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona, lead state-level bookings.
Trend 2: Warm Weather and Family-Forward Planning
Travelers are looking for warm weather and family-friendly escapes as they seek comfort, easy logistics and variety for all ages.
Popular warm-weather destinations include Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Tampa, Honolulu, Miami, Denver and Dallas, according to Hertz.
Trends From Enterprise Mobility
Enterprise Mobility found that three out of five Gen Z and millennial travelers plan to take a spring break trip this year, up 19% from 2025.
Trend 1: Roadtrips Are Steadily Increasing
Enterprise Mobility found that 45% of Gen Z and millennials are planning to take a road trip for spring break
Trend 2: Florida Stays on the Radar
The data shows that 25% of Gen Z and millennials plan to visit Florida for spring break. Rental car bookings are also high for California, Arizona and Nevada.
Trends from RetailMeNot
Trend 1: Travelers Are Getting Strategic Through the Use of AI
Data from RetailMeNot shows 36% of travelers are now turning to AI as part of their travel planning process, using it to compare options, evaluate destinations and watch pricing.
Trend 2: Careful Spending
Although prices are on the rise, people are still prioritizing travel this season. Fifteen percent of travelers are actively using discounts, cash back and rewards while they book — an opportunity for advisors to attract clients with added-value propositions.
Additionally, average budgets for transportation and accommodations have dropped from $1,370 to $1,219.
Trend 3: More Travelers Are Planning Spring Trips
Spring travel is on the rise, with trip planning increasing from 48% last year to 61% this year.
Trends From Point.me
Trend 1: Hottest Spring Break Destinations
Point.me is showing San Juan, Puerto Rico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Kona, Hawaii; Tampa, Florida; Aruba; Maui; Honolulu; and Austin as trending warm-weather spring destinations. Orlando is being reported as America’s hottest spring break destination in 2026, thanks in part to being a value-driven destination that’s accessible via nonstop flights from a wide variety of U.S. hubs.
Trends From HotelTonight
Trend 1: Spring Breakers Are Pushing Locals to Take More Trips
HotelTonight’s Spring Break Travel Report suggests that 42% of locals in spring break hotspots are skipping town just to avoid the visitors coming into their city.
Trend 2: Avoiding Crowds
As rowdy crowds of spring breakers form, Americans who are looking for a quieter spring break are leaning toward under-the-radar spots. HotelTonight’s data shows that 17% of Americans are experiencing challenges with finding non-party destinations.
Trend 3: Saving for Travel
Many Americans are cutting extra expenses to prepare for their vacations. Twenty-nine percent are not dining out or using meal-delivery services, 22% are giving up concerts and events and 20% are not buying new clothes.
Trend 4: Beach Getaways
Following a winter of freezing temperatures this year, 40% of respondents consider an oceanside beach getaway the ideal spring break trip.
