Canadians are choosing value in vacations as budgets tighten

With travel costs continuing to rise, Canadians are rethinking how — and where –they travel this summer, according to the newly released Summer Travel Outlook by Expedia.

The results indicate that there’s a strong push toward domestic travel, paired with continued interest in European destinations that offer culture, value and bucket-list appeal.

Yet with airfares 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.

Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group brands, explained that: “Canadians are rethinking how they travel this summer. 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.”

There’s no place like home

The Summer Travel Outlook by Expedia found that 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.

Despite costs, Europe remains appealing

While Canadians may be looking to travel domestically in order to save, Europe is still on their 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 are key

Canadians are paying closer attention to when they travel as their sensitivity to price grows. 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.