Skyscanner reveals the smartest times and places to book this summer as 1 in 4 Brits are still holiday hunting
Global travel app Skyscanner today reveals that a quarter of Brits (28%) are still actively looking to book their summer holiday. New data from Skyscanner’s 2026 Summer Report reveals that whilst demand remains, finding the best price (16%) and time to travel (14%) are the biggest hurdles faced by travellers this summer.
The report reveals how travellers can save money by adjusting travel dates and looking at alternative destinations. This comes as almost half of Brits say visiting somewhere that none of their friends, family, or social feed have been to before is appealing - rising to 64% among Gen Z. And 71% saying they’re open to choosing a less well-known destination this summer.
To help travellers outsmart their summer this year Skyscanner’s report offers data backed insights to make their time and money go further including:
The cheapest week to travel on average: week commencing 29th June
The cheapest day of the week to travel on average: Friday
Outsmart the Cost of Summer Travel
Cost remains a primary concern for many travellers. With UK travellers expecting to spend £253 on flights on average for their summer holiday abroad. Skyscanner’s top flexible travel hacks include travelling in a cheaper week and trying cheaper alternative destinations. In fact, Skyscanner’s Top 10 Cheapest Destinations all have an average flight cost of £125 or less.
Cheapest Destinations This Summer:
Ranking | Destination | Average Seat Price |
|---|---|---|
1 | Dortmund, Germany | £72 |
2 | Cork, Ireland | £83 |
3 | Luxembourg | £86 |
4 | Castellon de la Plana, Spain | £89 |
5 | Baden-Baden, Germany | £89 |
6 | Eindhoven, Netherlands | £94 |
7 | Turin, Italy | £102 |
8 | Cologne, Germany | £114 |
9 | Jersey | £123 |
10 | Trapani, Italy | £125 |
Outsmart the Summer Crowds
Almost half of Brits say visiting somewhere that none of their friends, family, or social feed have been to before is appealing – rising to 64% among Gen Z, and more than half of them would choose to visit an alternative destination this summer.
To help travellers look beyond the obvious options, the report reveals this summer’s top under-the-radar destinations. Skyscanner has analysed its summer search data to identify places with the lowest search interest this season, with our travel experts then handpicking places that are less obvious, but still well worth discovering.
Top Under-The-Radar Destinations This Summer:
Ranking | Destination | Live Flights Price** | Live Hotels Options** | Live Car Hire Price** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Turku, Finland | You can find flights from as little as £80 per person return | Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel from £178 per night | Find Turku car hire deals from as little as £75 |
2 | Thunder Bay, Canada | You can find flights from as little as £305 per person return | Lux Suites Extended Stay from £154 per night | Find Thunder Bay car hire deals from as little as £167 |
3 | Crotone, Italy | You can find flights from as little as £62 per person return | Palazzo Foti Hotel from £115 per night | Find Crotone car hire deals from as little as £100 |
4 | Kalymnos, Greece | You can find flights from as little as £181 per person return | Spongia Apartments and Suites from £80 per night | / |
5 | Ioannina, Greece | You can find flights from as little as £155 per person return | Five star Hotel Metropolis from £96 per night | Find Ioannina car hire deals from as little as £88 |
6 | Pico, Portugal | You can find flights from as little as £297 per person return | Four star Aldeia da Fonte Hotel from £261 per night | Find Pico car hire deals from as little as £311 |
7 | Clermont-Ferrand, France | You can find flights from as little as £127 per person return | Four star Hôtel Mercure Clermont-Ferrand Centre Jaude from £130 per night | Find Clermont-Ferrand car hire deals from as little as £181 |
8 | Kiruna, Sweden | You can find flights from as little as £197 per person return | Four star Elite Hotel Frost - Hotel & Spa from £190 per night | Find Clermont-Ferrand car hire deals from as little as £227 |
9 | Astypalaia, Greece | You can find flights from as little as £125 per person return | Aphrodite Studios from £119 per night | / |
10 | Cordoba, Argentina | You can find flights from as little as £340 per person return | Four star H10 Palacio Colomera from £95 per night | Find Cordoba car hire deals from as little as £159 |
“Summer holidays are special, but for many travellers still looking to book, the planning side requires more thought than ever. That’s why this year’s Smarter Summer Report is designed to help people make more confident choices on when and where to travel, using Skyscanner’s proprietary data to highlight smarter timings, better-value options and alternative destinations,” says Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner Travel Expert.
“In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value. More importantly, travellers should stay informed and check the latest travel advice before booking.”
To explore the full Smarter Summer report and start planning with more options, visit here: https://www.skyscanner.net/news/smarter-summer-report. As always, travellers are encouraged to stay informed and keep up to date with local government travel advice before booking and compare live prices as they plan.
