Consumer Alert: Where to find low airfares now

Bad news: Airfares are rising again in 2025, with domestic ticket prices expected to climb 10 to 15 percent, according to a new prediction.

airfares are risingBut there’s good news, too. In some destinations, prices will fall this year. You have to know where to find low airfares.

That’s the takeaway from the Hopper’s 2025 preview. The takeaway for international fares: This may be the year to visit Europe or Asia if you want to save money on an airline ticket. Mexico and the Caribbean? Not so much.

Where does everyone want to go in 2025 when they find low airfares?

The latest analysis from Mabrian, a tourism analytics company, reveals some surprising shifts in where the world will be traveling in 2025. Here are the top destinations for the year, based on searches on travel sites:

Asia is the place to be: Southeast and Southern Asia are leading the pack for international travel demand in the first half of 2025. Thailand’s Bangkok and Phuket, India’s Delhi and Mumbai, and Vietnam’s Hanoi are among the top destinations showing strong growth.

You are being secretly taxed at airports

Oceania’s big comeback: Australia and New Zealand are bracing for a significant rebound, ranking third among the fastest-growing regions globally. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland are seeing big increases in international interest. (I am reporting from Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, and it’s busy here.)

Americas on the rise: Key destinations across North and South America are trending positively. Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando, along with Cancún, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro, are experiencing growing international demand.

Some African and European destinations are popular, too: South African cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg are driving demand in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe, Madrid, Lisbon, and Rome stand out as urban hotspots with notable growth in international interest.

Overall, Asian regions are showing the strongest search trends globally, with Southeast Asia representing 13 percent of international demand, Eastern Asia close behind at 12 percent, and Southern Asia accounting for 6 percent.

The takeaway: A combination of cheap airfares and strong demand could make Asia a crowded place in 2025. Remember, popular doesn’t always mean better. Do your research, compare prices, and most importantly, choose a destination that aligns with your interests and travel style.

Here are the most expensive places to travel in 2025. Here you won’t find low airfares.

The top 10 destinations for high-end travel in 2025 are dominated by African countries, according to new data by Faye Travel Insurance. It’s no surprise, since people buy travel insurance for pricey safaris.

But still. Look at these numbers (based on per-policy expenditure):

  1. Rwanda: $18,417
  2. Seychelles: $15,775
  3. Botswana: $15,619
  4. Kenya: $15,251
  5. Antarctica: $14,491
  6. Namibia: $14,147
  7. The Falkland Islands: $14,037
  8. Zimbabwe: $13,925
  9. Tanzania: $13,092
  10. South Africa: $12,725

It’s worth noting that these destinations are not the most popular among American travelers in 2025. Instead, a majority of those travelers (75 percent) are planning to head to Europe, with an average spend of $5,832 per person.

The top 10 most popular destinations for Americans in 2025 are:

  1. Italy
  2. France
  3. UK
  4. Mexico
  5. Germany
  6. Spain
  7. USA
  8. Greece
  9. The Netherlands
  10. Canada

The takeaway: With airfares to Europe falling, 2025 might be a good year to head to Europe. But based on pricing and advance bookings, it could get crowded.

The last word on travel fakes and low airfares.

Travel fakes are bad and getting worse. That was the conclusion of the commentary on travel problems. If you’re wondering why I’m so sure, look to ChatGPT or Gemini for the answer. AI allows scammers to create convincing websites, phishing pitches, and schemes to separate you from your money.

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Your thoughts, please

Interesting year ahead.  I’d love to get your comments on rising — or falling —airfares. Or anything else that’s on your mind, like travel scams.


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