Skyscanner’s Smarter Summer Report Reveals the Common Mistakes Costing Canadians Hundreds Per Trip
TORONTO, May 5, 2026 – Summer travel is still on for most Canadians, but the booking clock is ticking. According to new research from global travel app, Skyscanner, more than six in 10 Canadians (61 per cent) have not yet booked their summer vacation, with 37 per cent still actively looking and a further 25 per cent yet to begin planning. Of those planning to travel, nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) cite price and affordability as their single biggest challenge.
In today’s more complex travel environment, thoughtful planning matters more than ever. For many Canadian travellers, summer planning isn’t just about inspiration; it’s about navigating real hurdles: working around fixed dates, coordinating with others, avoiding crowds and trying not to overpay during the busiest travel season of the year. Skyscanner’s 2026 Smarter Summer Report is here to help Canadians plan smarter, with more confidence and more options.
Outsmart the Cost of Summer Travel
Cost remains the primary concern for Canadian travellers. The average Canadian expects to spend $406 per person on flights alone for their summer holiday abroad, with nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) budgeting more than $500 per person. Yet flexibility is the most powerful tool available – and nearly one in five Canadians (18 per cent) say knowing when flights cost less would be the single biggest thing to help them outsmart summer planning hurdles.
Skyscanner has identified the 10 cheapest alternative destinations for Canadians this summer – places that are not only affordable but genuinely exciting to visit.
Top 10 Clever Alternative Destinations This Summer
Ranking | Destination | Average Flight Price This Summer | *Live Accommodation Options |
|---|---|---|---|
1. | Kelowna | $493.64 | Comfort Suites Kelowna from $380 per night CHATHAM House from $372 per night |
2. | Nassau | $556.90 | Vadara from $546 per night One Cable Beach from $532 per night |
3. | Saint John's | $691.59 | Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas from $567 per night Bellevue Suites from $109 per night |
4. | Lima | $925.32 | Pullman Lima San Isidro from $183 per night Meliá Lima from $130 per night |
5. | Madeira | $1,052.42 | Hotel Madeira from $262 per night Vila Baleira Funchal from $193 per night |
6. | Valencia | $1,218.12 | Port Azafata Valencia from $161 per night Sercotel Sorolla Palace from $189 per night |
7. | Prague | $1,311.59 | Grandior Hotel from $190 per night The Hotel Fitzgerald from $197 per night |
8. | Dubrovnik | $1,418.30 | Hotel Komodor from $217 per night Urban Veggie Rooms from $222 per night |
9. | Oslo | $1,428.17 | Soria Moria Hotell from $210 per night Thon Hotel Storo from $254 per night |
10. | Osaka | $1,451.43 | Namba Oriental Hotel from $178 per night Y&Y Namba Hotel from $82 per night |
According to Skyscanner data, the cheapest week to fly this summer for Canadians is the week of August 31, where average flight prices drop to their lowest across the season. For domestic travel, some of the most affordable options available right now include:
To St John’s, Newfoundland from $267
To Calgary, Alberta from $309
To Montreal, Quebec from $314
Skyscanner’s tools like Everywhere search highlight the best-value destinations from any Canadian departure point and Price Alerts notify travellers when fares drop, making it easier than ever to find the right trip at the right price. The Savings Lever Most Canadians Are Missing While Canadians are rightly focused on flight prices, Skyscanner data suggest many are overlooking one of the most powerful tools to stretch travel budgets further: the rental car. Canadians expect to spend nearly $50 a day on a rental car abroad, yet only two per cent see it as a meaningful place to save. Over a week-long trip, that’s nearly $350 in rental costs that could be significantly reduced with smarter booking. Younger travellers are starting to catch on. Gen Z’s are six times more likely than the average Canadian to use car rental savings as a meaningful opportunity, while Millennials - who budget the highest daily rental costs of any generation at an average of $61 per day - may be paying more than they need to. The smarter play? Consider a fly-and-drive approach: flying into a smaller regional hub rather than a major tourist gateway, then driving to your destination. Skyscanner data shows this strategy can unlock meaningful savings on both flights and accommodation, while opening the door to less-crowded, more affordable destinations that most travellers walk right past. It's a tactic that turns the rental car from a budget burden into a competitive advantage, and one that Skyscanner's car rental search makes easy to explore alongside flights in a single search. “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, click here. 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.
Visit Skyscanner.ca for more information about the leading travel app.
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Notes to Editors
*OnePoll research conducted among 1,000 respondents in Canada in March 2026.
**Flights data based on returned economy flights.
***All illustrative prices in this release are based on Skyscanner data for the specified period and are subject to change. Live prices for travel on the day of publication may vary.
ABOUT SKYSCANNER
Skyscanner is a leading global travel app that helps travellers plan and book their trip with ease and confidence. Every month, Skyscanner connects millions of travellers, in 52 countries and 37 languages, to more than 1200 trusted travel partners so they can find the best flight, hotel or car hire options. Founded in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America where traveller-first innovations are developed, powered by data and insiUsinguse of the latest technology, Skyscanner simplifies the complexity of travel and provides honest and transparent solutions, searching more than 80 billion prices every day so travellers can be sure they've seen the best possible options, all in one place.
