Essential details for Labor Day 2024 travel

In summary: summer 2023 began with a surge of travelers during Memorial Day and July 4th, but that has since calmed down. If you held off during the May to July travel frenzy to plan your summer getaway, your patience (or procrastination) might just reward you in time for the holiday weekend. Before diving into planning, here are our top three considerations for LDW.

Summer travel costs have cooled down.

At the start of summer, saving money on travel was challenging. Thankfully, prices for trips within the US have now relaxed, particularly for flights and car rentals. Our latest data shows that domestic airfare is 15% lower and daily rental car rates are 13% less compared to LDW last year*. To maximize savings, look for flights to popular US destinations or consider a road trip to your chosen location. 

Alternatively, if you're able to adjust your travel dates before Labor Day, you could save even more. The weekend of August 18 – 20 is projected to be the cheapest time to fly in the US this summer, with fares 11% lower than the rest of the season**. International flights also saw a decrease – airfare for the weekends of 8/18 and 8/25 is 18% less**.

Travelers are eager to escape both town and country.

While domestic flights are more affordable, there’s still a strong desire to travel internationally before summer wraps up. Our data confirms this trend – international flight searches for Labor Day have risen overall, with inquiries for international flights up 8%, hotel searches up 25%, and rental car requests up 4% compared to last year*. If you're planning a passport-required trip, allow yourself extra time for potential airport delays. Even better, if you can wait a few weeks, you might avoid the crowds (and save some cash).

Find a deal (and soak up the sun) in the south.

We understand that heading to a hot destination for the holiday weekend may not seem ideal, but hear us out. Southern US destinations offer the best flight prices for Labor Day Weekend. In fact, four of the ten most affordable spots are located in Florida, making it a great time for a beach getaway. Whether you're in the mood for sunshine or some smoky barbecue, here are the top ten deals for US destinations:

So there you have it: the top three things to keep in mind before you embark on your Labor Day Weekend travels. Still not convinced by the numbers? No worries! Check out Explore to find the cheapest places to fly for LDW and beyond from your local airport. And don’t forget to pack sunscreen, no matter where you're headed (that’s tip number four).

Approach: