The Average Cost of a Vacation: Getting Your Money’s Worth

As you’re toiling away through your working week, the only thing that keeps you going is the promise of a relaxing vacation. However, when that time finally arrives, you come to the realization that you need to make some tough financial decisions to make it all work.

Choosing Your Destination

The first step in planning the perfect vacation is choosing the right destination for your trip. You need to decide whether you want to spend your days resting on a warm, sandy beach, or whether you’d rather scale mountain peaks in search of fresh air. Perhaps your ideal vacation is a round-the-world cruise or a Tiger-style golf challenge. 

The latest shows that more than half of Americans love going on beach vacations both in the US and abroad. In 2025, domestic leisure travel spending grew to $895 billion, reflecting a continued priority for getaways despite inflationary pressures. Another 30% enjoy cruises, while 28% like active vacations, regardless of the location.

At the other end of the spectrum, only 4% of respondents said they would go on a strictly golf-focused vacation.

Going to Hawaii

Hawaii is still one of the most popular destinations for Americans. In 2025, nearly 10 million visitors went to this beautiful island, spending around $17.82 billion in the process.

Preliminary data for February 2026 shows a 10.3% increase in visitor spending compared to the previous year, reaching $1.91 billion for the month alone. Of that figure, an amazing $11.21 billion came from Americans alone in previous cycles.

The most frequently visited island on Hawaii is Oahu, with roughly 4.8 million visitors every year. Oahu is home to the state’s capital, Honolulu, but it’s better known around the world for its famous Waikiki beach and historically important Pearl Harbor.

Besides its countless beaches and pleasant climate, Oahu also has inexpensive accommodation, which is why it’s still a favorite for many.

Data shows that in early 2026, a typical visitor to Hawaii spent an average of $282 to $316 per day, depending on whether they arrived from the U.S. West or East Coast. Of course, this figure doesn’t include the costs of travel, which are usually significant depending on where you fly from.

A Disney Trip for the Entire Family

Disneyland is still a top choice for millions of US families with children. According to 2025 statistics, more than 18 million people visited Disneyland, and these numbers continue climbing by the year.

Of course, this theme park also has a big brother, Disney World, which draws in a whopping 52 million visitors per year. While attendance saw a slight 1% dip in early 2025 due to weather events, analysts project a significant surge in 2026 as families return to the parks.

In addition to that, Disney also offers its famous cruises, which provide entertainment for the whole family: parties, musicals, swimming pools, fireworks, as well as adult-only nightclubs and lounges.

All in all, there are more than enough activities to choose from.

The average cost of a Disney vacation depends mainly on your destination of choice and the number of days you’re staying.

At Disneyland and Disney World, 2026 daily ticket prices can range anywhere from $154 to $199 per person depending on the date and park.

A five-day ticket including visits to several parks in 2026 costs nearly $600 to $700 for a full experience, especially when factoring in the now-essential Lightning Lane Multi Passes which cost between $16 and $35+ per day.

Obviously, the Disney cruise is a much more exclusive option, which will dent your budget by about $1,400 per person. That said, if you travel during the off-season, you can find some decent discounts.

According to 2026 estimates, the average cost of a baseline Disney vacation for 4 family members amounts to $7,422, which is an average of $1,855 per person for a 5-night stay.

Traveling Expenses

Traveling from A to B can take a huge chunk out of your vacation budget. But if you’re thrifty enough, you can reduce your travel costs and set more money aside to spend during your trip.

Travel by Car

If you decide to go with your own car, you need to consider not only the price of gas, but also additional travel costs and car depreciation. As of April 2026, gas costs an average of $4.02 per gallon due to global supply chain disruptions, and prices are increasing steadily.

You’ll also have to factor in costs like road tolls and overnight stays, as well as car depreciation.

This might not seem important now, but it affects your budget in the long run. Studies have shown that your vehicle loses a significant chunk of its value each year after you buy it.

Indeed, in 2026, the average 5-year depreciation rate for vehicles is 41.8%. Of course, the further you drive during your vacation, the faster your car’s value will depreciate.

Travel by Airplane

The easiest and often most affordable way to reach a faraway vacation destination is to fly there. Airfare costs have fluctuated, with 2026 domestic flights for a family of four averaging around $1,176.

For your trip to Hawaii, for example, you’ll need to fork out anywhere from $450 (if you’re traveling off-season from the West) to more than $1,200 (traveling from the East during the season peak).

Travel by Bus

For Americans, bus travel is the third-most popular transportation method, though it accounts for only 2% of long-distance journeys. Buses represent great value for short-distance trips, but when it comes to longer journeys, you’re often better off flying.

As you can see from this graph, after a certain point, bus journeys become more expensive than flights, despite the fact they take far longer and are less comfortable.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, if you’re traveling further than 1,300 miles, you should simply fly.

Average Accommodation Costs

If you want to save money on your accommodation, the best thing you can do is reserve your room as well before you travel.

This principle applies for all kinds of vacations, whether they be outdoor adventures, cheap beach vacations, or city breaks.

However, that doesn’t mean that you should book a hotel a year in advance for next summer’s vacation.

According to 2025 data, the perfect time to book your accommodation is one month before your holiday. In general, that’s when you’ll find the lowest prices and the best deals.

Disney World Accommodation

In 2026, if you want to enjoy all the action of the full Disney experience, you can opt for on-site accommodation, which costs an average of $272 per night for "Value" resorts like All-Star Movies, while "Deluxe" options like the Contemporary Resort average $827 per night.

Staying within the complex gives you a host of benefits, including free transportation and access during the “magic hours,” after all the other visitors have left.

Just a few minutes from the resort, you can find much cheaper accommodation, which costs an average of $150 per night for a family room. All you need to do is decide whether the full experience is worth the extra money.

Hawaii Accommodation

Based on the latest info, the average price of a room on the island is $278 to $310. Of course, this is the average number; if you know where to look, you can find much better prices. In Waikiki, budget-conscious travelers can still find rooms starting at $120 per night in mid-2026.

The easiest way to cut costs is to opt for a room without an ocean view, if that doesn’t bother you.

Look for hotels or guesthouses that cater primarily to locals; they’re usually much more affordable.

Visiting US Cities

New York is still the number-one vacation destination in the US.

The average hotel room cost reached $283 in mid-2025, but peak seasons like September saw record rates of $417 per night. If you want to save some money, consider visiting in August, when prices are about 4% lower.

When it comes to a city as big and expensive as New York, 4% can mean quite a lot.

Besides New York, Americans and foreign tourists love visiting the original Sin City: Las Vegas.

This flashy metropolis in the middle of the desert is the perfect location for bachelor parties, company excursions, and gambling adventures. Accommodation here costs just over half of what it does in New York, with 2026  hotel room rates sitting around $207 per night, though mid-week rates in April 2026 can drop as low as $114.

Of course, you can still find extravagant suites that cost thousands per night; it’s the abundance of affordable accommodation scattered throughout the city that brings this average down.

Orlando, Florida, occupies fifth place on Tripadvisor’s list of the most popular vacations in the US, thanks mainly to its wide selection of amusement parks.

While Disney World and Universal Studios are the main attractions, Orlando also has several other amazing theme parks, including SeaWorld and LEGOLAND.

If you stay in the city centre, you’ll find that the average hotel room costs $203 per night. On-site accommodation at one of the theme parks is a lot more expensive.

How to Control Your Spending

To make sure you don’t go over your set budget, do your research beforehand.

Remember to go easy on your credit cards during your trip. If you don’t, you might return home to an outstanding debt as millions of Americans did last year. Also, remember to let your credit card provider know where and when you’re traveling so your card doesn’t get blocked on suspicion of fraud.

If you’re heading overseas, look for destinations where the dollar is strong so you can get the best bang for your buck.

Use technology to your advantage by downloading a travel budget app. This will help you keep track of your spending to make sure you don’t exceed the average cost of a vacation in your destination of choice.