Airlines for America estimates 171 million passengers will fly to spring break destinations between March 1 and April 30, 2026. That’s a record 2.8 million flyers per day, but they’re not all headed to the usual beaches in Florida and California.
Florida still dominates the annual hiatus from school and work, as cities on the Gulf of Mexico gear up for a crowded influx of partying visitors. But KAYAK’s ‘What the Future’ Report finds social media trends will push many spring breakers to international shores in the coming years, as well as Hilo, Hawaii. Experts say you should plan a trip there now to avoid high prices and viral-driven crowds.
KAYAK’s report highlights a section of top destinations they refer to as “Not Yet Tok’d.” Emerging destinations that have not yet gone viral appeal to the 69% of Gen Z and 66% of millennials who say they want to visit places they’ve never been before. There is a growing itch to hop on a plane and experience something new; visit places that aren’t already saturated with filtered sunsets and deja vu crowds.
Not-so-usual suspects
Hilo, Hawaii, tops KAYAK’s ” Not Yet Tok’d ” list. The small city on the northeastern side of the big island is trending hard, but not too hard yet. Flight searches for Hilo are up 60% compared to last spring break, and currently, airfare to the island is down 26%. The town has only 44,000 residents and is close to the bubbling basalt lava rock pools known as the Boiling Pots and the active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. It also boasts Wailuku River State Park, featuring Waiānuenue, or Rainbow Falls, with its colorful mist.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are once again a spring break hot spot. Asheville, N.C., is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, but a Google Flights analysis ranks the area as second this spring. Nearly 80% of the Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened, and families are drawn to its cultural attractions and scenic hiking trails.
Despite a somewhat warmer winter, Vail, Colo., expects snow and ski conditions to remain solid through April 19, 2026. A snowier March helped save the community from closing its biggest tourist draw early, and there is still plenty to do in the European-style village. Flights to several airports in Colorado are up to 29% cheaper than last year.
It appears spring breakers are splitting the difference between Los Angeles and San Diego this year. Both Long Beach, on the tip of LA County, and Santa Ana, south of Anaheim in Orange County, rank high on Google Flights. Visitors still get the warmer weather and not too long a drive to nearby theme parks like Disney and Knott’s Berry Farm, for a slightly more affordable price and less traffic.
Overseas attraction
Vietnam tops KAYAK’s list for international spring break destinations. Searches for Da Nang are up 57% and Hanoi 44%, while round-trip airfares average just under $1,000. Marrakech in Morocco and Cairo, Egypt, also trend with spring breakers, but still fly under most vacationers’ radar this time of year.
Searches for Guangzhou, China, are up 33% this year. While the bustling metropolis may seem like a crowded choice for spring break, it’s the perfect time to visit. The annual school break falls after most of the Lunar New Year celebrations and before the blazing-hot summer and the monsoon season. The birthplace of dim sum boasts a culinary legacy, 2,200 years of history and unique cultural places to explore.
“Travelers are craving confidence,” says KAYAK’s SVP of Global Brand & B2B Marketing, Carolina Montenegro. “They want to know they are choosing amazing destinations, at the least crowded times, for the best price, because that’s winning.”
Across the pond
Airfare prices to Europe have dropped by nearly 10% across the board compared to Spring Break 2025. But pick the right destination, and you’ll pay 20-26% less. A round-trip to Shannon, Ireland, averages less than a domestic flight, only $572. Flights to Naples, Palermo, and Florence, Italy are all down at least 20%.
Delta Airlines is adding a direct flight from New York’s JFK to Malta this summer. But the current flight path to Luqa, Malta, only runs $681 round trip. And the public transportation system connects everything, from the Dingli Cliffs to Ħaġar Qim, one of the world’s oldest archaeological sites.
Or spend spring break exploring Eastern Europe’s answer to Hollywood. Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Croatia, were featured heavily in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” shows. Budapest, Hungary, hosted the “Dune” films. These three cities are all trending for spring break, along with Krakow, Poland, and all with affordable flights.
Breaking the cycle
Spring break doesn’t have to be limited to lounging on the beach or partying till dawn. More and more adults are taking time off work to make the spring school respite a family affair. Seven to nine days is more than enough time to explore new destinations, with the proper planning.
In 2026, spring break is about timing and flexibility. With airfare down and memories to be made, breakers look for new and unique experiences to keep for themselves, not to follow social media trends. This is the year to widen your search and have a truly remarkable, uncrowded spring break.
Karen Kelly is a nationally syndicated freelance food and travel writer and the founder of Seasonal Cravings. She is a regular contributor to MSN, Yahoo and the Associated Press.
