Quick recap: summer 2023 started off busy and expensive – fortunately, the end of the season is a different story. If you decided to wait out the early summer rush, your patience (or procrastination) could just pay off. Before launching into search mode for your late-season getaway, here are 3 things to keep in mind ahead of Labour Day Weekend.
Domestic destinations have deals under $350.
Travel was in high demand back in May and as a result, price tags were heftier on flights and accommodations. Now that the season is winding down, our numbers say that August 25 – 27 will actually be the cheapest weekend to fly abroad this summer*. International flights for those dates are 14% less* compared to the average prices from the rest of the season. But since we’re talking about LDW travel, our advice would be to search for domestic flight deals. According to our data, domestic flights are 9%** cheaper compared to Labour Day last year. There are also a handful of places you can see for under $350** – here are our top 4 recommendations:
- Calgary, Alberta: flights for LDW 2023 are $297** on average.
- Vancouver, British Columbia: flights for LDW 2023 are $318** on average.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia: flights for LDW 2023 are $321** on average.
- Toronto, Ontario: flights for LDW 2023 are $339** on average.
Travellers want to get out of town… and the country.
There’s still interest in going abroad before summer is out, and we’ve got the receipts to prove it. Our data shows that international searches for Labour Day have increased across the board. Queries for international flights are up 25%, hotels are up 28% and rental cars are up 9% compared to last year**. If your sights are set on somewhere that requires a passport, give yourself extra time to account for airport traffic. Better yet, if you can hold off a few weeks, you could potentially save yourself the crowds (and money) by going during a shoulder season instead.
On a budget? Hit the road.
Make a trip out of the long weekend while still sticking to your August budget – just grab a set of wheels. Whether you’re driving along the coast, to the mountains, or into a city, renting a car for a LDW road trip is a great option. Our numbers show that rental car rates are down 22%** compared to Labour Day weekend last year. Now’s your chance to finally take that road trip you’ve been thinking about all summer. Pack up the car, the kids, or whatever is joining you for a late summer ride. There you have it: the top 3 things you need to know before you embark on Labour Day Weekend travels. Numbers aren’t enough to convince you? Fine, then at least check out Explore – it’ll show you the cheapest places you can fly for LDW and beyond based on your local airport. Oh, and remember to pack sunscreen wherever you’re headed (that’s tip #4).
Methodology:
*KAYAK considered flight searches between 7/13 and 7/26/2023 for travel dates 8/1-8/31/2023. Destinations considered were those with the lowest average airfare from Canada. Savings calculations are based on the difference between average airfare for specified weekends and the average airfare for all weekends between 5/19 – 9/5/2023. Average airfare and savings are subject to change. Prices are in CAD.
**KAYAK considered flight, hotel and car searches between 4/1 and 7/20/2023 for travel between 9/1 and 9/5 2023. For year over year comparative data, the same search dates in 2022 were used for travel dates 9/2 – 9/6/2022. Prices are in USD and are on average. Savings and airfare are for example purposes only and are subject to change.
