WQIO Ohio's Super Station
With Spring Break upon us, AAA booking data shows most travelers are looking for warm weather with the Sunshine State topping the list of U.S. destinations. Four Florida cities are on the top 10 domestic list: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa.
“For families who live in colder climates, Spring Break can’t come soon enough!” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Florida is always a favorite this time of year because of its beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports. Many travelers are also wanting to sightsee in iconic American cities like New York and Chicago.
AAA is also offering TSA PreCheck® enrollment at many AAA retail locations throughout the state. If approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program. The program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. AAA members as well as the general public are welcome to participate in the screening event.
Enrolled members do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets at airport security check. They are able to access TSA PreCheck® dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide.
To find a TSA enrollment event near you, go to AAA.com/TSA.
And for those going on European vacations, keep in mind new travel requirements taking effect this year, especially if London is on your Spring Break itinerary. The UK Travel ETA, a travel authorization system for the United Kingdom, that began in January 2025, allows people to travel and transit through the UK. Such travel documents are becoming more common.
On the international list, eight of the top 10 cities are in Europe. Rome is number one, followed by London and Paris. Two Spanish cities are also on the list: Barcelona and Madrid. The Caribbean island of Aruba is another top Spring Break destination, as well as Tokyo, Japan. “Travel to Asia, particularly Japan, has been booming the past year, with more Americans interested in exploring all that Asian countries have to offer,” added Barber.
Flying to Spring Break destinations is more expensive this year compared to 2024. According to AAA booking data, the average roundtrip ticket this Spring Break season is $820 for domestic cities, up 7% from last year, and $1,440 for international cities, up 2% from last year. Hotel stays in the U.S. are 8% more expensive, averaging $660, while international hotel stays are 4% cheaper this Spring Break season, averaging $740. The cost to rent a car domestically is about the same as last year, with rental car bookings averaging about $645. International car rentals are 5% cheaper this Spring Break season, with the average booking costing around $615.
Cruising is at an all-time high. AAA’s cruise forecast projects 19 million Americans are going on ocean cruises this year, marking the third straight year of record cruise passenger volume. The most popular domestic Spring Break cruises leave from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, and Miami – which are the three busiest cruise ports in the world! Cruise demand is up, and so is the cost: domestic cruises this Spring Break season are 27% more expensive compared to year. International cruises are 3% more expensive. Ships cruising the Persian Gulf, Mexican Riviera, and European rivers like the Danube and Rhine top the list of international cruise destinations.
Following Spring Break season, travelers should be aware of this date: May 7, 2025. That’s when adults traveling within the U.S. must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Travelers can take a quiz on the REAL ID federal government website to find out if their current identification is compliant.
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