Spring Break Trip Costs Skyrocket in 2025

Published: 3/1/2025, 6:14:51 AM EST

Spring Break Trip Costs Skyrocket in 2025 — Travelers pass through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on April 18, 2024. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Spring break revelers will have to dig deep to have a memorable trip this year.

According to a new study from Squaremouth, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based travel insurance company, the average insured trip cost for spring break in 2025 is $8,306—an increase of 26 percent above the $6,125 it cost in 2024, and up 33 percent from $5,485 in 2023. However, that’s not stopping spring break travelers who are ready to spend this year, the report noted.

“Forty percent of travelers are planning to take a bucket list trip this year, and many are using spring break to do it,” the report states. “While warm weather favorites like Mexico and the Bahamas continue to be the top spring break destinations, bucket list countries such as Japan and Italy have risen in popularity this spring break by 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively.”

Destinations matter, budget-wise, as a spring trip to Mexico costs $3,872 on average, while a trip to Japan costs $9,987, according to Squaremouth.

Additionally, over 60 percent of study respondents listed “seeking adventure” as the primary goal of their trip, a significant jump from just 42 percent in 2024. Squaremouth also cites a 28 percent increase in bookings for in-demand safari destinations like South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, and Kenya.

“People want to take some of those big trips that they’ve been thinking about since just before 2020,” said Jenna Hummer, public relations director at Squaremouth, in comments to Bloomberg.

Why are spring break trips so expensive this year? Travel experts say this is for several reasons, including currency rates, rising transportation costs, high inflation, and prices tracking rising consumer demand for memorable trips.

“Ultimately, it’s the combination of a handful of different factors that are making spring break costs so high right now,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based vacation rental property management company, in comments to NTD. “Travel demand is very high, but there are some travel availability and staffing shortages, especially for airlines. Hotel prices are surging, too.”

Personal traveling preferences are also driving up spring break prices.

"Spring break travel costs are soaring in 2025 due to high demand during peak periods, rising fuel prices, and inflation affecting accommodation rates,” said Alexander Ketter, consumer expert at Coupons.com, in comments to NTD. “Many travelers are also opting for premium experiences, which pushes the average trip cost even higher.”

Curbing the High Cost of Spring Break Travel

Spending over $8,000 for a spring break vacation seems like a budget-buster, but there are ways to keep expenses in check.

Flexibility is key:

Traveling midweek or booking last-minute deals can lead to significant savings. “Students should also take advantage of travel bundles, student discounts, and loyalty programs,” Ketter said. “Online budget and savings platforms can help find deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and excursions, making trips far more affordable.”

Cut transportation and lodging costs: Travelers should also look for alternative methods of travel and lodging. “For example, road tripping or taking a train instead of flying, or staying at a short-term or vacation rental with a group of people rather than getting a bunch of individual hotel rooms,” Schwab said.

Get onsite help:

A great way to save money during any vacation is to familiarize yourself with the destination’s tourism office.

“Wherever you travel, chances are there’s a localized visitors bureau or destination marketing organization (DMO) that exists to promote the area,” said Ian Centrone, deputy tourism director for Florida’s Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing, in comments to NTD. “In addition to containing valuable information and resources tailored to visitors, many DMOs can also help you score various deals and discounts.”

For example, Discover Martin is Martin County's official destination marketing organization. On its website, visitors can find special offers and packages from hotels, tour operators, boutiques, and more.

“To help with trip planning, we also have a dedicated section of the site with a collection of curated itineraries,” Centrone said. “One is specifically dedicated to budget-friendly trip ideas and highlights a bunch of free or low-cost experiences throughout Martin County.”

Bank the cash instead:

“For those reconsidering the $8,000 price tag, staying local can be just as rewarding.

“That money could cover textbooks, build a savings fund, or go toward future investments,” Ketter said. “A well-planned staycation with discounted local activities can still provide a memorable break without the hefty price tag.”