Thinking about taking an international vacation this summer? If so, be prepared to pay more. Airfare is climbing as demand for summer travel surges, particularly for overseas destinations. Based on an analysis of flight searches by Points Path users, international fares are up 12%, making summer 2026 one of the more expensive travel seasons in recent years.
Part of the demand is being driven by major international events, including the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Popular European destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, Dublin and Athens are also expected to draw large crowds during the peak summer travel season.
The good news is that you don't have to overpay for your summer getaway. With the right booking strategies, you can still find ways to cut the cost of international airfare and keep more money in your travel budget.
1. Book your flight early
Book your flight as early as possible. While the cheapest fares are often available months before departure, that doesn't mean you've missed your chance to save if you're booking now.
As a general rule, try to purchase international tickets at least six weeks before departure, since prices often rise significantly as travel dates get closer.
If you still have more than six weeks before your trip, sign up for fare alerts through sites like Kayak or Airfarewatchdog. These tools can notify you when prices drop on routes you're watching. You can also subscribe to airline emails and follow carriers on social media, where some airlines announce flash sales and limited-time promotions.
If you spot a good fare for the dates and destination you want, don't wait too long to book. Discounted seats can sell out quickly, and prices may increase without warning.
2. Fly mid-week
You'll usually get the best deal if you fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday and avoid peak travel days. According to Hopper, travelers can save as much as $179 per ticket to Europe by shifting both their departure and return flights to earlier in the week.
Midweek departures and returns are often less expensive because demand is lower, while Friday and Sunday flights tend to be among the priciest. If your schedule is flexible, compare several date combinations to find the lowest fare.
3. Fly during the latter half of summer
The second half of June is one of the most expensive times to fly to Europe because demand is so high. According to Hopper's 2025 summer travel report, travelers who shifted their trips to the second half of August or September saved an average of $283 per ticket, or about 33% off round-trip airfare.
Waiting until late August can pay off even more. Hopper found that round-trip airfare to Europe after the week of August 18 averages less than $600 per ticket, making it one of the most affordable periods for summer travel.
4. Stay flexible
Compare multiple travel dates and airlines. Airfare can vary significantly from one week to the next. If your schedule is flexible, use the flexible-date tools on travel search sites to compare fares across an entire month and identify the lowest-priced travel dates.
It also pays to compare a variety of airlines. In addition to major carriers, consider lower-cost international airlines such as Condor, Icelandair and French Bee, which sometimes offer lower fares on routes to Europe.
Just be sure to compare baggage fees, seat-selection charges and other add-on costs, since a cheaper ticket isn't always the better deal.
5. Be prepared for connecting flights
Consider alternative arrival cities. If you're flexible about where you begin your European trip, compare fares to several cities rather than searching for just one destination. Flight prices can vary significantly between airports, and choosing a less expensive arrival city could save you hundreds of dollars.
Tools such as Google Flights make it easy to compare fares across Europe and identify the most affordable destinations from your departure airport. Once you arrive, you can often reach your final destination by train, budget airline or a short connecting flight.
Even if your goal is to visit a popular destination such as London or Paris, it may be cheaper to fly into another European city and continue your journey from there. Just be sure to factor in the cost of transportation, baggage fees and any overnight stays when comparing your options.
6. Consider business class
When searching for flights, compare economy, premium economy and business-class fares before booking. Airlines occasionally discount premium cabins to fill empty seats, narrowing the price gap between economy and business class and, in some cases, making an upgrade surprisingly affordable.
Even if business class costs a few hundred dollars more, the extra comfort may be worth considering on an overnight flight to Europe. Features such as lie-flat seats, lounge access, priority boarding and included baggage can provide additional value, especially if economy fares are already expensive.
