Summer travel 2026: What to expect for airfare, hotels, more

It's hard not to feel worried about traveling this summer.

This is "one of the most disruptive summers that we've seen in quite a long time," said Jesse Neugarten, CEO of Dollar Flight Club, a flight deal alert service based in Seattle. The FIFA Men's World Cup is coming to the city in June and July, fuel prices haven't significantly dropped since the Iran war started in February - pushing airlines to offset costs and cut routes - and, more recently, Spirit Airlines shut down in May.

But even as fares go up, demand for summer travel has stayed strong across the country, said Eash Sundaram, a travel analyst in New York and former executive at JetBlue Airways.

Tickets for domestic flights across the U.S. have gone up by over 20% this year, Sundaram said, with the 2025 national average domestic airfare of about $470 increasing to $550. Because the West Coast has higher fuel costs, Seattle could see a slightly larger bump.

"It all depends on how the demand is going to pop in," Sundaram said. "The underlying issue is not the fuel price. … If (airlines) can throw in more capacity, your fares will come down. And that capacity is based on the airports, the infrastructure and the airlines willing to spend more money on fuel."

What to expect at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Recent operations at Sea-Tac have been smooth, with 93% of travelers going through TSA checkpoints in 20 minutes or less, including during the partial government shutdown in March, according to the Port of Seattle. During the airport's busiest months of June through August - which sees over 5 million passengers per month - travelers should still arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights, according to the port.

The expanded C Concourse will open in early June and include four new floors, a lookout area of the airfield and 11 additional dining and retail spaces, according to Perry Cooper, the airport's media relations manager.

Travelers can secure a slot at two security checkpoints from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. up to five days before their flight through SEA Spot Saver, and real-time security checkpoint wait times can be found in the flySEA app. Airport parking spots during the summer are limited, but they can be booked up to 120 days in advance.

International airfares for summer 2026

According to a Dollar Flight Club report that analyzes round-trip economy fares from more than 65 U.S. departure airports, including Sea-Tac, the most affordable international destination out of the U.S. Leon/Guanajuato, Mexico, followed by San Juan in Puerto Rico, Puerto Vallarta and Guatemala City.

Peak summer round trips to Western European cities such as Paris, Rome and London from across the country are roughly 20% higher than last year, according to Dollar Flight Club. Economy round trips from Seattle to these three cities are hovering between $1,210 and $1,410 from June through August, as of this writing in mid-May, according to Google Flights data. Cheaper alternatives include Reykjavik and Stockholm, which have round-trip prices in the $500 range out of Seattle in July and in the $400 range in August, respectively, as of this writing.

Neugarten recommends travelers look at late August, which will have more supply of seats than demand. If you see a good deal, buy tickets now rather than later, he said. Travelers should also consider booking a flight directly with an airline and purchasing a regular ticket instead of basic economy to cushion any cancellations or delays.

Summer hotels

If you're planning a summer staycation, expect lots of company. More than 750,000 people are expected to visit Seattle for the World Cup, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation. Still, hotel owners in the city have been feeling underwhelmed about bookings not being as high as expected.

Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, said although the World Cup is "not going to be seven Super Bowls," it's going to be a close-to-normal summer for the hospitality industry, which is still recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic. He said this season will see hotel occupancy rates of about 90% in Seattle and 80% in the Puget Sound region, aligning with prepandemic numbers.

"The combination of the World Cup and the increase in cruise ships is what's giving us hope for a good summer," Anton said. "I think they're really filling a gap that's been empty more than filling this over the top."

Travelers should still be able to find accommodations within their price range in Washington. Anton said the national daily average rate for hotel rooms in March was $168, compared with $203 on the West Coast and $140 in Washington state, and he expects the trend of a lower Washington rate to carry on through the summer.

If I'm staying in Seattle this summer, how do I get around?

Downtown Seattle will gain lots of foot traffic during the World Cup, specifically at Waterfront Park, Seattle Center and Pioneer Square, said Joey Thompson, a public relations manager at Visit Seattle, noting there will be special events and fan celebration zones across downtown neighborhoods.

If you're planning to visit Pike Place Market or another tourist destination, get there early. Consider going to public parks, riding the ferry to Bainbridge Island and taking the light rail all the way north or east to get away from downtown congestion, Thompson said.

When mapping out your staycation itinerary, Anton suggests going orca whale watching in the San Juan Islands or hiking through the Cascades. To get to the San Juans, Seattleites can ride a Washington State Ferries boat from Anacortes. (Note that passenger and vehicle ticket prices increased by about 3% on May 1. A 35% peak season surcharge was also added for single-ride vehicle and motorcycle fares from May 1 through Sept. 30; this excludes passenger and multiride tickets.)

From June 4 through Sept. 8, travelers can use a returning seaplane service produced by Kenmore Air and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians that will fly from Tacoma's Ruston Way waterfront to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, B.C., as well as over the South Sound. This year, Kenmore Air added a connection flight between Seattle's Lake Union and Tacoma, shortening the commute between the cities. The ports of Everett and South Whidbey are also starting a pilot passenger foot ferry service between Everett and Langley from June 4 to Aug. 29.

2026 Alaska cruise season forecast

It's going to be another record cruise year, Thompson said. The Port of Seattle estimates about 2.1 million revenue passengers - referring to the total number of people who pay fare and will board or leave a cruise ship during the season - between April and October, with 330 stops in Seattle. That's up from 1.9 million revenue passengers, with 298 stops last year.

This year, Seattle has two new cruise lines - MSC Cruises, which is headquartered in Geneva, and Florida's Virgin Voyages - tallying a total of 16 home port ships, according to the port. The MSC Poesia, which sails Mondays from Pier 91, can accommodate 2,550 double-occupancy guests.

Preparing for a summer road trip

Book car rentals as soon as you can, and leave earlier in the morning to prepare for congestion, said Heidi Dettmer, director of marketing at AAA Washington. If using your own vehicle, be sure it's in good shape before you hit the road, running tests on tire pressure, battery, lights, brakes and engine hoses. The Washington State Department of Transportation also updates road conditions around the state on its website.

To save fuel on a long trip, avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Instead, consider using cruise control, driving the speed limit and reducing excess weight in your vehicle, Dettmer said. Regular car maintenance, such as oil changes, also helps burn less gas.

The bottom line: Pack your patience

Delays are inevitable when traveling, said Robyn Stencil, program manager at Rick Steves Europe, so be open to moving dates and itineraries around and accept what you can't control - and give yourself some grace for pushing through with your plans amid large-scale global and economic disruptions.

"Don't waste time being upset or sad that something isn't working out perfectly," Stencil said. "Have that backup plan in mind that allows you to pivot and still enjoy your vacation."

Information from The Seattle Times archive was used in this report.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 6:43 AM.