Summer travel is officially right around the corner, and Americans are going all in—just at a higher price than before. According to the latest data from Faye, 88% of insured travelers are heading abroad this season, while just 12% are keeping things domestic.
The bigger shift this year is how much those trips cost. The average summer trip now comes in at $6,773 per traveler, a 17.6% increase from Summer 2025, meaning travelers are paying significantly more for the same season. So while the appetite for travel is strong, so is the price tag.
Where are travelers headed this summer?
Europe is once again leading the way, with familiar destinations continuing to dominate summer itineraries.
The top 10 Summer 2026 destinations are:
- Italy
- Canada
- France
- The UK
- The US
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- The Netherlands
- Spain
It’s a familiar mix of classic European travel, cooler-weather escapes, and a few closer-to-home options.
Where travelers are spending the most
While Europe wins on popularity, Africa is where travelers are spending big.
The 10 destinations travelers are spending the most on this summer are:
- Rwanda – $21,707
- Botswana – $17,656
- Zimbabwe – $15,850
- South Africa – $14,830
- Kenya – $14,787
- Zambia – $13,975
- Tanzania – $13,515
- Greenland – $12,344
- Ecuador – $10,008
- Norway – $9,973
Rwanda tops the list at over $21,000 per traveler, pointing to a growing interest in once-in-a-lifetime trips. These trips often include longer flights, guided safaris, remote stays, and higher-end accommodations, which naturally drive up the total cost compared to a typical vacation.
Why travel costs are rising
If summer travel feels more expensive this year, that’s because it is. Across the travel industry, higher airfare, rising hotel costs, fuel prices, and currency shifts are all contributing to the increase. These factors add up quickly, especially for international and long-haul trips.
Travelers are prioritizing flexibility (and their pets)
As trip costs rise, so does the desire to protect that investment.
The most popular add-on this summer is Cancel For Any Reason coverage, followed closely by Pet Care. Both have remained favorites year after year, signaling that travelers are prioritizing flexibility and planning for the unexpected.
With Faye’s Cancel For Any Reason add-on, travelers can cancel for any reason up to 48 hours before departure and receive up to 75% of their non-refundable trip costs back, as long as they secure this coverage within 14 days of their initial trip deposit (like booking their flight or hotel). With a trip averaging nearly $7,000, that kind of flexibility goes a long way.
Travel with more clarity, even as costs rise
From city streets in Rome to safari landscapes in Rwanda, travelers are investing more than ever in their summer plans.
Faye helps support those plans with customizable coverage, fast reimbursements on approved claims, and 24/7 human support, so you can spend more time enjoying your trip and less time thinking about what could go wrong.
