Traveling this summer will be more expensive and possibly more inconvenient than last year.
For starters, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Wednesday that it is testing new screening procedures at 10 US airports, including hubs like Los Angeles International and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
In addition to laptops, (which are already screened separately now), passengers will have to remove any devices larger than a cellphone from their bags when going through airport security. This includes tablets and e-readers. If the screening procedure is effective, the TSA might expand it to other airports this summer, which would increase safety, but likely contribute to longer lines.
On top of that, Hopper is predicting the average price of a round-trip plane ticket will increase 5.8% compared to last summer, peaking at $263 in June.
So no, summer travel won’t be a breeze, but there are a few things you can do to save yourself time and money.
Road trips still cheaper than flying
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer, and AAA predicts that 34 million Americans will take a road trip this holiday weekend. At $2.36 a gallon, the average price of gas is currently about 8 cents more expensive than last year, but driving will still be more affordable than flying.
Still, experts predict that gas prices will rise throughout the summer. “Consumers will likely see gas prices continue to increase into the summer months, potentially even returning to the higher prices seen April when the national average at the pump reached $2.42,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA Spokesperson.
Cheapest days to book Fourth of July airfare
The Fourth of July is always a busy travel holiday, but there a few strategies to secure the best deal. To save money, Kayak suggests flying to your destination on July 2 and returning on July 5, when the median plane ticket for a domestic trip will cost around $200. When should you avoid flying? June 30 and July 7, when the average airfare could reach $400.
Take your trip at the end of the summer
We get it: you’re long overdue for a vacation and you’re excited to take a trip. But delaying your trip until the end of the summer could save you money. Airfare is expected to peak in June, and the most expensive departure date for domestic travel will be June 25, according to Kayak. The most expensive day for international travel is June 30.
If possible, wait until August or September to take a trip, when crowds will be smaller and prices more agreeable. In fact, Hopper predicts the average price of a round-trip ticket could drop by $33 in August.
For Labor Day (Sept. 4) travelers should avoid flying on Thursday, Aug. 31, which Kayak has identified as the most expensive travel day to travel over the holiday weekend.
Brittany is a reporter at Yahoo Finance.
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