Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

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Published Date: April 15, 2024

Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (1)
How much does the average vacation cost?
The average vacation for one person in the United States costs about $1,986 per week. A vacation for two people will typically cost around $3,971 per week.
How much does the average vacation cost?Costs are rising all over the world, and that has travelers exploring their options. If you expect your old travel budget to go as far as it did in past years, you may be in for a surprise.Compared to 2023, average vacation expenses are up by over 3%, according to BudgetYourTrip.com. Although the average vacation cost may be on the rise, you can create a realistic budget for your next getaway by identifying key expenses. To help you plan, we break down these expenses below and the average cost for each.

Average travel cost for a vacation

The average cost of travel for a week-long vacation for two people is $1,040. Travel arrangements related to your vacation costs rack up fast. Not only do you have to figure out how you’re getting there, but you’ll need to know how you’ll get around once you reach your destination.
Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (2)
A solo traveler is more likely to find a single seat on a plane and make do with public transit and rideshare services at their destination. That way, they can avoid the added burden of looking after a car and the added expenses that come with it. Traveling with multiple people, however, can start to add up.Even if airfare isn’t outside your vacation budget, the daily cost of a rental car or rideshare services for everyone may strain your finances. Driving your own car to the destination (even with today’s gas prices or using public transit) may put the cost of a trip within reach, depending on how far you’re traveling.Average vacation transportation costs per person
TransportationAverage cost
Domestic round-trip flight$368
International round-trip flight$1,368
Rental car (per day)$84
Gas (per gallon)$3.40
Airport parking (per day)$30
Public transit and rideshare services (per day)$46

Average lodging cost for a vacation

The average nightly cost of a vacation rental is $314. Getting to your relaxing destination is only part of the budget equation. Hotels have historically been the tried-and-true favorite, offering travelers safety and dependability, but they can greatly increase the average daily cost of a vacation.
Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (3)
Solo travelers can look to hostels for a cheaper alternative, so long as they’re willing to give up some privacy. Vacation rental services like Airbnb and VRBO offer alternatives to hotels for travelers with more demanding needs, or need access to more amenities like kitchens and laundry rooms. Short-term rentals can provide multiple rooms at a reduced rate per person than many hotels can offer.Average nightly lodging cost for a vacation per person
LodgingAverage nightly cost
Single-person hotel/hostel room$130
Double-occupancy hotel room$259
RV campsite (per RV)$20
Vacation rental (per night)$314

Short-term rental alternative: Co-owned second homes

Average food cost for a vacation

The average daily food costper person is $58 while on vacation. While it’s tempting to try all the local cuisine, limiting the number of times you eat out each day will help lower your food expenditure. Taking advantage of a hotel’s complimentary breakfast is one easy alternative to an expensive brunch. Or use a rental’s kitchen for a simple breakfast of toast and cereal.
Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (15)
The money you save by substituting these meals can be used toward a special meal at a restaurant or offset your other vacation costs.Average food costs for a vacation per person
MealAverage daily cost
Three meals$58
Average restaurant meal$29
Alcohol$27

Average entertainment cost for a vacation

The average cost of a museum visit for a family of four is $120. While the other three categories are rather predictable factors in your average vacation cost, what you plan to do on your vacation is more of a wild card. Visiting family will likely keep entertainment costs low, but a multi-day trip to a luxury ski resort can quickly push trip costs out of your budget.
Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (16)
Similar to plane tickets and rental cars, buying entertainment in advance can help you take advantage of discounts that may not be available to people making purchases on the day of. If you’re traveling with your family, look for activities with group rates, like national parks that charge by vehicle.Average cost of entertainment per person for a vacation
EntertainmentCost
Museums$30
Concerts$120
National parks (per vehicle)$28
Ski resorts$175
Amusem*nt parks$104

Tips for budgeting on vacation

A good budget will help you save money during your vacation.
Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (17)
Apply these tips while planning your budget, and you might spend less than the average vacation cost.
  • Make reservations far in advance. Travelers can save up to 38% by booking rental cars three months out.
  • Travel to locations outside their peak seasons. This can help you earn discounts on airfare and lodging.
  • Use credit cards that have travel rewards. These, along with customer loyalty programs, can help you earn discounts for future vacations.
  • Save money on food by preparing meals. Booking a vacation rental with an on-site kitchen can save money on eating out. Or you can also take advantage of a complimentary hotel breakfast.
Due to inflation, it’s more costly to travel, so knowing average vacation costs is a great starting point for planning your trip and keeping expenses under budget.If you find yourself traveling to the same location regularly, buying a second home can be a more sensible option. Plus, a second home or vacation home can offer many benefits over a short-term vacation rental or hotel. However, if owning a second home is out of your budget, consider co-ownership instead.When you co-own a home, you are owning a portion of a property, and thus, sharing time and expenses proportionately with other co-owners. This allows you to take your budget further, but you still get full use of your home like you would with full ownership. Pacaso's fully managed co-ownership model simplifies the process, taking care of scheduling, billing details, property maintenance, home design and cleaning so you can focus on making memories on your vacation. Ready to learn more about co-ownership or buy your dream vacation home? Pacaso curates top homes in destinations across the country.

Average vacation cost FAQ

How much does the average vacation cost for one person?

The average vacation cost for one person in the United States is about $1,986 per week. Individual costs will vary based on the traveler’s mode of transportation and lodging.

How much should I budget for a vacation?

Your budget for a vacation will, of course, vary depending on many factors. Many people set aside 5%-10% of their net yearly income for leisure travel, but your savings will depend on the type of vacation you’re planning.

How much cash do you need on vacation?

You should have roughly $50 to $100 per person every day of your trip.

Are vacation expenses cheaper if you book in advance?

Booking in advance can often lead to lower prices due to early booking discounts, better availability, increased flexibility and the ability to avoid last-minute price surges.

Sources: US Travel | Hopper | Kayak | Zutobi | Budget Your Trip | Camper Report | All The Rooms | Consumer Affairs | Statista | Outside | Family Skier | Business Insider
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Average vacation cost: 2024 breakdown - Pacaso | Pacaso (2024)

FAQs

Why are vacations so expensive in 2024? ›

Summer Travelers See Higher Trip Costs in 2024

The average summer trip cost is almost $10,000 this year for the first time, marking a 7% increase over 2023 and 14% increase over 2022. This jump in trip cost is largely due to the overall rising cost of travel and inflation.

What is a realistic budget for a vacation? ›

The average cost of a vacation for a single person in the U.S. is $1,984 and $3,969 for a couple. If you're traveling in a group of four, you can expect to pay upwards of $7,936 and up to $11,904 for a group of six.

How much does the average vacation cost per person? ›

The average vacation for one person in the United States costs about $1,986 per week. A vacation for two people will typically cost around $3,971 per week. How much does the average vacation cost? Costs are rising all over the world, and that has travelers exploring their options.

How much does a 7 day vacation cost? ›

The average vacation cost for one person is around $1,986 for 1 week, according to BudgetYourTrip.com, but that number will vary depending on where you're traveling and what time of year you travel.

What is the summer travel forecast for 2024? ›

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - A group representing major U.S. airlines forecast record summer travel with carriers expected to transport 271 million passengers, up 6.3% from last year.

Will flights get cheaper in 2024? ›

Not only are airfares down 7% year-over-year based on March 2024 prices, but they're even down 12% versus a decade ago. That's according to consumer price index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in February. Some experts predict airfares to international destinations will drop even lower in 2024.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How much is too much to pay for a vacation? ›

The 5-10% Rule

Many financial experts suggest spending between 5-10% of your annual income on vacations each year. If you're striving to meet any important financial goals, like paying off debt or saving for a home down payment, keeping this closer to 5% can help you reach those goals more quickly.

What is the average cost of a 2024 spring break in America? ›

In fact, more than 1 in 10 (13%) are planning a spring break trip, with the average person willing to spend $2,700 on their travels. Looking back to 2023, 21% of Americans were willing to spend $2,001+ on spring break, while 37% are willing to spend $2,001+ on spring break in 2024.

How much does a trip to Hawaii cost? ›

1The average price of a trip to Hawaii

On average, for a 3-week trip to Hawaii, you'll need to budget between $4,000 to $5,000/person(based on a 2-person stay), price including flights, accommodation (mid-range condo rental), domestic flights, car rental for each island and meals.

How much does it cost to go to Italy? ›

A 1-week Italy tour would cost about 11,000–14,000 USD for a family of four (kids under 10 could travel with a 30–50% discount) or 6,000–7,000 USD for a couple. (This doesn't include the costs of international flights.)

How much would it cost to travel to Europe? ›

How much does a European vacation cost?
ExpenseEstimated cost
Airfare$500 to $1,500 for economy $2,500 to $25,000 for first class
Accommodation$15 to $50 per night for a hotel $150+ per night for a mid-range hotel $300+ per night for a luxury hotel
4 more rows

How much will a 7 day Europe trip cost? ›

Europe Packages
Europe PackagesDay/NightPrice
Beautiful Balkan with Albania - Summer (Guided Tour) Package7 Days/6 Nights₹1,67,645
Wonders of United Kingdom with Dublin - Summer (Guided Tour) Package7 Days/6 Nights₹1,97,675
Wonderful Prague, Munich & Austria - Summer (Guided Tour) Package7 Days/6 Nights₹1,70,517
7 more rows

How long should an average vacation be? ›

Research says the ideal vacation length is 8 days. Here's what experts say. - The Washington Post.

Why are vacations so expensive? ›

Travel prices have increased for many of the same reasons that have affected other industries: inflation, rising labor costs, supply chain issues and debt service rates. But travelers' unflinching willingness to pay the new rates means the "old" prices for a five-star holiday may be a thing of the past.

Why is going on vacation so expensive? ›

Travel prices have increased for many of the same reasons that have affected other industries: inflation, rising labor costs, supply chain issues and debt service rates. But travelers' unflinching willingness to pay the new rates means the "old" prices for a five-star holiday may be a thing of the past.

Will travel become cheaper in the future? ›

However, Amex GBT's "Air Monitor 2024" is expecting only international airfares to drop in 2024 — notably for flights between North America and Asia. The report states regional fares will remain stable or slightly increase. We should expect a modest price correction in some markets in 2024.

What is the travel trend in 2025? ›

Slow travel - not having strict itineraries and taking your time to explore a new place. Attending community events that happen while you're in town (72% of travelers want to support local communities they travel to!) Traveling solo (54% of travelers are looking to travel solo in the next year)

What is the least expensive time of year to travel? ›

Is there a cheapest month to fly? If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, January is best. Flights in February are a close second for being most affordable. At the other end of the spectrum, November and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.

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