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With Bavaria, the summer holidays began a few days ago in the last federal state. This means that the whole of Germany is now – albeit for a short time – in the summer holidays. For this reason, the travel company Skyscanner has analyzed which are currently the most popular travel destinations, how holidaymakers can avoid peak prices and mass tourism in August and where there are still cheap last-minute flights.
The most popular travel destination for Germans in August is Spain, followed by Turkey, Greece and Italy. This puts classic beach destinations at the top of travelers’ bucket lists this summer. But the USA is also among the top five as a long-haul travel destination.
In addition to the classic travel destinations, underestimated destinations are also gaining in importance. Slovakia with an increase in search queries of almost 28 percent, Belgium with 136 percent and Poland with almost 121 percent compared to the previous month** have increased significantly in the past 118 days and are therefore clearly in line with the trend in flight searches. This shows that holidaymakers are also open to new destinations this summer - whether because of the prices or the urge to discover something new. A recent Skyscanner survey confirms this trend: 94 percent of Germans are open to traveling to underrated or lesser-known travel destinations, with more than half (58 percent) saying they would be willing to swap their favorite holiday destinations for an alternative option, if it could save them money.
How can I spontaneously find cheap flights?
German travelers expect average flight costs of €189 per person for their summer vacation, according to a recent survey by Skyscanner. However, if you are a little flexible and take a few tips into account, you can find significantly cheaper flights even in the absolute high season.
Friederike Burge, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, explains: “Even for those who have not yet booked their summer holiday for August, it is not too late. It doesn’t matter whether you’re with family, friends or alone – there are still some good offers for different travel destinations – whether for the classics or new alternatives.”
“But those who are not tied to the school summer holidays can also look for flights later in the season. September is one of the best months of the year to grab a summer bargain, thanks to lower prices and nice weather. In many European countries it is hot well into September – such as Albania, Spain or Portugal.”
Tips from the travel expert for cheap flights in August and September:
Flexible travel destination: If you are open to new travel destinations, the Skyscanner search "All places" will find all possible destinations on the desired date, sorted by price. The search provides inspiration for new travel destinations away from the popular classics and shows real bargains.
Time flexibility: Travelers who don't want to give up their usual holiday destination have the chance of cheap prices if they are a bit flexible in time. With the help of the monthly overview of the flight search results, travelers can see at a glance on which day the flights to the desired destination are cheapest. Skyscanner's Summer Savings Calculator shows that the last week of a holiday is, on average, the cheapest week of the summer holiday.
Consider nearby airports: It's often worth considering other nearby departure airports as well. Prices can vary, especially if there are holidays in one state and not in another. For example, a flight from Düsseldorf to Nice at the end of August costs up to 50 percent less than from Cologne.
Current air fares in August (return, economy):
- Dusseldorf to Pescara, Italy 54€ – 22 – 29 August
- Berlin to Rijeka, Croatia 80€ – 24 – 31 August
- Cologne to Biarritz, France 72€ – 18 – 25 August
- Dusseldorf to Ibiza, Spain 85€ – 14 – 21 August
- Hamburg to Gdansk, Poland 27€ – 23 – 30 August
- Memmingen to Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina 46€ – 24 – 31 August
