4 Summer Vacations To Take Now Because They Won’t be Affordable in 2026
Written by
Emily Fowler
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Summer may be winding down, but there’s still time to squeeze in a vacation. But travel costs are already starting to increase, and tariffs could push them even higher.
According to Forbes, tariffs could impact prices from airlines to hotels, so waiting till 2026 could mean that dream trip slipping out of reach.
Here are four vacations to take now instead of waiting till next year.
European City Breaks
“We saw a sharp spike in June for European destination insured trip costs; an 8.5% increase year-over-year,” said Jackie Mondelli, Chief Marketing Officer at travel insurance comparison platform Squaremouth.
Shoulder season (the period just before or after peak summer) brings some relief, with average trip costs falling 12% to 20% month-over-month. Still, heavy crowds and record heat are making peak travel more expensive and less comfortable.
For now, there are deals if planned smartly. For example, a week in Krakow, Poland at the end of summer can run around $1,000 per person through Expedia.
Las Vegas Getaways
Las Vegas is always a vacation favorite, but value for money is slipping away fast.
“With each passing year, it’s becoming exponentially more expensive to visit,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago.
Rising hotel rates, resort fees and entertainment costs make timing everything. Midweek stays remain far cheaper than weekends, especially away from the Strip. For example, around 25 miles out but still a good spot for a Vegas trip, the Westin Lake Las Vegas prices a king room at about $128 per night midweek compared with $162 on weekends.
Saudi Arabia Trips
Saudi Arabia’s transformation is pulling in record numbers of visitors, according to the World Tourism Forum Institute. Thanks to Vision 2030 reforms and new infrastructure, the country saw a 48% jump in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the year before, meaning prices are likely to increase.
For a late-summer trip, Taif is known as Saudi Arabia’s unofficial summer capital and offers cooler mountain air compared with the rest of the Kingdom. Packages to Taif can still be found under $1,500 per person on Kayak for late August departures.
Latin America Travel
According to the Global Business Travel Association, hotel rates in LATAM rose 7.5% in 2024 and are forecast to climb another 7% in 2025 and 5.7% in 2026. High inflation, strong domestic demand and limited new hotel supply are all fueling the jump.
For U.S. travelers, that makes 2025 the better window for a long-haul trip. From Buenos Aires to Bogotá, prices are still manageable now, but waiting until 2026 could mean paying a premium for the same experience.
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