The Smarter Summer Report Your guide to smarter summer planning

The smarter summer report is your shortcut to planning with confidence, so you can find the best places to go on summer holiday. Discover clever timings, better-value and useful insights to help you decide where and when to go.

Cheapest times to travel this summer

There’s booking summer. Then there’s outsmarting it. We’ve crunched the numbers to uncover when prices dip, so you can swap the guesswork for good timing.

Clever alternatives

Make your money go further

With lots of people eyeing up the same places, it pays to look elsewhere. These cheaper, handpicked alternative summer destinations serve up similar sunshine, scenery or city vibes, often with lower prices, fewer crowds and a bit more room to explore.

Smarter places to travel this summer

Affordable destinations to consider this summer

City

Kozhikode, India

Kerala's spice-scented port city with golden beaches, legendary Malabar cuisine and a rich Calicut trading heritage.
Kerala's spice-scented port city with golden beaches, legendary Malabar cuisine and a rich Calicut trading heritage.

City

Diu, India

A tiny, sun-soaked island territory off Gujarat's coast, Diu charms with Portuguese-era forts, pristine beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India.
A tiny, sun-soaked island territory off Gujarat's coast, Diu charms with Portuguese-era forts, pristine beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India.

City

Puducherry, India

A coastal town with a soulful Franco-Tamil character, Puducherry draws visitors with its pastel colonial streets, ashram culture, and unhurried pace on the Bay of Bengal.
A coastal town with a soulful Franco-Tamil character, Puducherry draws visitors with its pastel colonial streets, ashram culture, and unhurried pace on the Bay of Bengal.

City

George Town, Malaysia

Penang's UNESCO-listed capital is a hawker food paradise, open-air street art gallery and colonial heritage city all in one.
Penang's UNESCO-listed capital is a hawker food paradise, open-air street art gallery and colonial heritage city all in one.

City

Jammu, India

Gateway to Kashmir, the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine, Mughal gardens and the stunning Himalayan foothills beyond.
Gateway to Kashmir, the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine, Mughal gardens and the stunning Himalayan foothills beyond.

City

Shillong, India

Perched in the misty Meghalaya hills, Shillong enchants with its cool climate, cascading waterfalls, vibrant music scene, and an escape into nature.
Perched in the misty Meghalaya hills, Shillong enchants with its cool climate, cascading waterfalls, vibrant music scene, and an escape into nature.

City

Krabi, Thailand

Dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald water. Add sea kayaking, rock climbing and vibrant nightlife for the full package.
Dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald water. Add sea kayaking, rock climbing and vibrant nightlife for the full package.

City

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia's resilient capital on the Mekong. Royal Palace, moving history, riverside sunsets and a food scene on the rise.
Cambodia's resilient capital on the Mekong. Royal Palace, moving history, riverside sunsets and a food scene on the rise.

City

Victoria, Seychelles

The Indian Ocean's tiniest capital. Colourful Creole market, botanical gardens and pure Seychellois island life on Mahe.
The Indian Ocean's tiniest capital. Colourful Creole market, botanical gardens and pure Seychellois island life on Mahe.

City

Paro, Bhutan

Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff above pristine Himalayan valleys. Bhutan's spiritual gateway is unlike anywhere on earth.
Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff above pristine Himalayan valleys. Bhutan's spiritual gateway is unlike anywhere on earth.

City

Kozhikode, India

Kerala's spice-scented port city with golden beaches, legendary Malabar cuisine and a rich Calicut trading heritage.
Kerala's spice-scented port city with golden beaches, legendary Malabar cuisine and a rich Calicut trading heritage.

City

Diu, India

A tiny, sun-soaked island territory off Gujarat's coast, Diu charms with Portuguese-era forts, pristine beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India.
A tiny, sun-soaked island territory off Gujarat's coast, Diu charms with Portuguese-era forts, pristine beaches, and a laid-back atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India.

City

Puducherry, India

A coastal town with a soulful Franco-Tamil character, Puducherry draws visitors with its pastel colonial streets, ashram culture, and unhurried pace on the Bay of Bengal.
A coastal town with a soulful Franco-Tamil character, Puducherry draws visitors with its pastel colonial streets, ashram culture, and unhurried pace on the Bay of Bengal.

City

George Town, Malaysia

Penang's UNESCO-listed capital is a hawker food paradise, open-air street art gallery and colonial heritage city all in one.
Penang's UNESCO-listed capital is a hawker food paradise, open-air street art gallery and colonial heritage city all in one.

City

Jammu, India

Gateway to Kashmir, the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine, Mughal gardens and the stunning Himalayan foothills beyond.
Gateway to Kashmir, the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine, Mughal gardens and the stunning Himalayan foothills beyond.

City

Shillong, India

Perched in the misty Meghalaya hills, Shillong enchants with its cool climate, cascading waterfalls, vibrant music scene, and an escape into nature.
Perched in the misty Meghalaya hills, Shillong enchants with its cool climate, cascading waterfalls, vibrant music scene, and an escape into nature.

City

Krabi, Thailand

Dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald water. Add sea kayaking, rock climbing and vibrant nightlife for the full package.
Dramatic limestone karsts rising from emerald water. Add sea kayaking, rock climbing and vibrant nightlife for the full package.

City

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia's resilient capital on the Mekong. Royal Palace, moving history, riverside sunsets and a food scene on the rise.
Cambodia's resilient capital on the Mekong. Royal Palace, moving history, riverside sunsets and a food scene on the rise.

City

Victoria, Seychelles

The Indian Ocean's tiniest capital. Colourful Creole market, botanical gardens and pure Seychellois island life on Mahe.
The Indian Ocean's tiniest capital. Colourful Creole market, botanical gardens and pure Seychellois island life on Mahe.

City

Paro, Bhutan

Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff above pristine Himalayan valleys. Bhutan's spiritual gateway is unlike anywhere on earth.
Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff above pristine Himalayan valleys. Bhutan's spiritual gateway is unlike anywhere on earth.

Have a quick view of clever alternative destinations

  1. Kozhikode, India — ₹4,221

  2. Diu, India — ₹5,766

  3. Puducherry, India — ₹9,683

  4. George Town, Malaysia — ₹10,186

  5. Jammu, India — ₹11,115

  6. Shillong, India — ₹11,645

  7. Krabi, Thailand — ₹15,543

  8. Phnom Penh, Cambodia — ₹20,830

  9. Victoria, Seychelles — ₹39,660

  10. Paro, Bhutan — ₹43,406

Under-the-radar destinations

Summer destinations without the crowds

The places everyone’s searching for are only part of the story. We’ve uncovered destinations quietly waiting to be discovered when planning summer holidays full of character, lighter on crowds and ready to surprise you.

Top 10 lesser-known destinations for 2026

  1. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

  2. Luang Prabang, Laos

  3. Ranchi, India

  4. Rayong, Thailand

  5. Siem Reap, Cambodia

  6. Gan Island, Maldives

  7. Jeju, South Korea

  8. Chiang Mai, Thailand

  9. Cape Town, South Africa

  10. Okinawa, Japan

Try our 'Underrated Destinations' filter to discover amazing lesser known places that don’t come with the larger crowds and queues.

Search for Underrated Destinations

The most popular destinations

The must-see spots dominating the charts

Some places are popular for a reason. These are seeing high interest, loved for their standout sights and all round holiday appeal. If you’re looking where to go for a summer break that’s tried and tested, start here, with tips on when to go and how to save.

Bangkok, Thailand

The city that never sleeps

Cheapest week to travel: 31 August - 6 September
Cheapest day to travel: Sunday

From glittering temples and chaotic street markets to rooftop bars and world-class cuisine, Bangkok delivers an assault on the senses that keeps travellers coming back for more.

Singapore

Cheapest week to travel: 29 June - 5 July
Cheapest day of the week to travel: Saturday

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Cheapest week to travel: 27 July - 2 August
Cheapest day of the week to travel: Saturday

Kathmandu, Nepal

Cheapest week to travel: 24 - 30 August
Cheapest day of the week to travel: Friday

The shoulder season sweet spot

Timing can make all the difference

June and September are summer’s quieter overachievers. You still get the sunshine, but with lower prices, shorter queues and a much easier shot at that dinner reservation. It’s the best of summer, with a bit more breathing room.

The cheapest destinations to go in June 2026

  1. Diu, India — average flight price: ₹5,745

  2. Agartala, India — average flight price: ₹6,948

  3. Agatti, India — average flight price: ₹7,438

  4. Kannur, India — average flight price: ₹7,551

  5. Hubli, India — average flight price: ₹8,273

  6. Visakhapatnam, India — average flight price: ₹8,340

  7. Nashik, India — average flight price: ₹8,402

  8. Udaipur, India — average flight price: ₹9,234

  9. Mumbai, India — average flight price: ₹9,235

  10. Mangalore, India — average flight price: ₹9,262

The cheapest destinations to go in September 2026

  1. Kannur, India — average flight price: ₹5,772

  2. Mangalore, India — average flight price: ₹6,475

  3. Amritsar, India — average flight price: ₹6,821

  4. Pune, India — average flight price: ₹8,085

  5. Ahmedabad, India — average flight price: ₹8,274

  6. Tirupati, India — average flight price: ₹8,643

  7. Agatti, India — average flight price: ₹8,866

  8. Goa, India — average flight price: ₹9,277

  9. Bengaluru, India — average flight price: ₹9,290

  10. Coimbatore, India — average flight price: ₹9,433

Information and indicative prices as of March 2026, based on Skyscanner data. Prices converted from INR using April rates. Please check final prices and travel guidance before booking.

Travel with confidence this summer. If you’re facing travel disruption, we’re here to help you understand your options and plan your next step. Know the facts.

Tools to help you save

From solo travel inspiration to family summer holiday ideas on a budget, there are easier ways to spot price reductions and track fares.

Make summer stretch on and on...

From travels around Italy and India with Accidentally Wes Anderson, to discovering amazing places with Explore Everywhere, there are lots of ways to keep that summer feeling going.

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