The Smarter Summer Report is your shortcut to planning with confidence, so you can find the best places to go on summer vacation. Discover clever timings, better value and useful insights to help you decide where and when to go.
Clever alternatives
Make your money go further
With lots of people eyeing the same places, it pays to look elsewhere. These cheaper, handpicked alternative summer destinations serve up similar sunshine, scenery or city vibes, often with lower prices, fewer crowds and a bit more room to explore.
Smarter places to travel this summer
Affordable destinations to consider this summer
Take a quick look at clever alternative destinations
Under-the-radar destinations
Summer destinations without the crowds
The places everyone’s searching for are only part of the story. We’ve uncovered destinations quietly waiting to be discovered when planning summer vacations full of character, lighter on crowds and ready to surprise you.
Top 10 lesser-known destinations for 2026
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Yellowstone, United States
Asuncion, Paraguay
Trieste, Italy
Bastia – Corsica, France
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Hilo, United States
Tromso, Norway
Terceira Lajes, Portugal
Queenstown, New Zealand
Try our "Underrated Destinations" filter to discover amazing lesser known places that don’t come with the larger crowds and queues.
Search for Underrated DestinationsMost popular destinations
The must-see spots dominating the charts
Some places are popular for a reason. These are seeing high interest, loved for their standout sights and all-round vacation appeal. If you’re looking where to go for a summer break that’s tried and tested, start here, with tips on when to go and how to save.
Tokyo, Japan
A neon-lit megacity where ancient tradition meets hyper-modern innovation.
Tokyo rewards the curious at every turn. A city of obsessive craft and quiet contradictions, where a perfect bowl of soba can be found beneath a highway overpass and a centuries-old temple sits unfazed behind a thicket of vending machines.
London, United Kingdom
New York, United States
Rome, Italy
Madrid, Spain
Paris, France
Athens, Greece
Orlando, United States
Barcelona, Spain
Dublin, Ireland
June and September are summer’s quieter overachievers. You still get the sunshine, but with lower prices, shorter lines and a much easier shot at that dinner reservation. It’s the best of summer, with a bit more breathing room.
The cheapest destinations to go to in June 2026
Punta Gorda, United States – average flight price: $179
Minneapolis, United States – average flight price: $233
Tampa, United States – average flight price: $253
Myrtle Beach, United States – average flight price: $257
Orlando, United States – average flight price: $266
Asheville, United States – average flight price: $279
Chicago, United States – average flight price: $289
Las Vegas, United States – average flight price: $294
Portland, United States – average flight price: $300
Savannah, United States – average flight price: $300
The cheapest destinations to go to in September 2026
Asheville, United States – average flight price: $230
Fort Lauderdale, United States – average flight price: $252
Myrtle Beach, United States – average flight price: $253
San Francisco, United States – average flight price: $268
Chicago, United States – average flight price: $269
Miami, United States – average flight price: $270
Nashville, United States – average flight price: $273
Syracuse, United States – average flight price: $273
San Diego, United States – average flight price: $282
Hartford, United States – average flight price: $283
Information and indicative prices as of March 2026, based on Skyscanner data. Prices converted from USD using April rates. Please check final prices and travel guidance before booking.
Tools to help you save
From solo travel inspiration to family summer vacation ideas on a budget, there are easier ways to spot price reductions and track fares.
Make summer stretch on and on...
From travels around Italy and India with Accidentally Wes Anderson, to discovering amazing places with Explore Everywhere, there are lots of ways to keep that summer feeling going.
