Canada
Rising costs fuel a surge in domestic Canadian travel this summer
Europe remains a top draw, with Italy, Spain and France seeing strong demand
The Summer Travel Outlook released today by Expedia® reveals that as travel costs continue to rise, Canadians are rethinking how—and where—they travel this summer. The result: a strong push toward domestic travel, paired with continued interest in iconic European destinations that offer culture, value and bucket-list appeal.
With airfare and accommodation prices influencing trip planning, many Canadians are opting to stay closer to home to stretch their travel dollars, rediscovering cities and outdoor destinations across the country. At the same time, long-haul travel remains on the radar, particularly to Europe, where travellers are prioritizing fewer but more meaningful trips.
“Canadians are rethinking how they travel this summer,” says Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group brands. “We’re seeing travellers balance rising costs by choosing road trips, shorter flights and familiar destinations at home—while still making room in their plans for dream trips to Europe.”
Canada-first travel takes centre stage 1
Domestic destinations dominate summer plans this year, as Canadians seek out shorter trips, lower transportation costs, and value-driven stays.
Among the most popular domestic destinations this summer are Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, while trending spots show rising interest in nature-forward and secondary cities, including:
- Edmonton (+35%)
- Jasper (+35%)
- Halifax (+25%)
- Charlottetown (+20%)
- Moncton (+20%)
Affordable domestic travel continues to be a strong draw, with cities like Regina, Windsor, Edmonton and Saskatoon ranking among the most affordable destinations to stay, and destinations such as Abbotsford, Penticton and Cranbrook among the cheapest to fly within Canada this summer.
Europe holds strong appeal despite cost pressures 1
Even as travellers look locally to save, Europe remains firmly on Canadians’ wish lists—particularly destinations that offer culture, history and strong value outside peak capitals.
Paris, London and Rome remain top international destinations, while Italy and Spain are seeing particularly strong momentum, with destinations such as:
- Sicily, Italy (+115%)
- Puglia, Italy (+80%)
- Balearic Islands, Spain (+75%)
- Copenhagen, Denmark (+70%)
These trends suggest Canadians are being selective with long-haul travel—opting for destinations that offer the most impact for their travel investment.
Timing and value matter more than ever 2
As price sensitivity grows, Canadians are paying closer attention to when they travel. Expedia data shows that June remains the cheapest time to fly domestically, while late August offers opportunities for savings internationally. Avoiding peak travel days and exploring flexible stay options can also help travellers reduce costs.
- Cheapest Days to Fly Domestically: June 5 and 11
- Cheapest Days to Fly Internationally: June 4 and August 31
Smart Summer Travel Tips
- Bundle & Save: Booking flights and hotels together can deliver significant savings per person and earn OneKeyCash™ for future trips.3
- Be Flexible with Dates: Traveling in early June or late‑August can significantly reduce both hotel and airfare costs.
- Price Tracking: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop.3
- Book Early for Peak Travel: Lock in pricing before demand spikes around the busiest summer dates.
Note for Editors
1 Based on Expedia lodging searches for travel from January 5, 2026 to April 5. 2026 for travel between June 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026, compared to the same time period in 2025.
2 Based on average daily ticket price on Expedia.com for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2026.
3 OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
4 Savings are for Expedia members only.
