Waiting until the last minute for spring break plans? It might cost you

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — In just a few days, millions of high school and college students will take to the roads and skies for the most anticipated event of the spring.

Spring break starts Monday for Lincoln Public Schools and the week after for the University of Nebraska.

Channel 8 talked to a couple students Thursday who are looking forward to their spring break plans.

“This spring break, I’m going to Seattle with my best friend from childhood and we’re going to cat-sit for her cousin,” UNL freshman Kara Fitzpatrick said. “While we’re there, we’re also going to explore the city, go to the Space Needle, go on an underground tour, and it should be really fun!”

UNL sophomore Vivian Landis will be going to Omaha, where her family lives.

“While I’m there I’ll also be dog-sitting three shiba inus for a family friend and getting two tattoos,” he said. “So, I’m very excited for spring break!”

But flying for spring break will cost more this year, according to data from AAA.

The average cost of a round-trip ticket is up 7% for domestic flights and 2% for international destinations.

If you’ve waited until the last-minute to book a flight from Lincoln to Orlando during UNL’s spring break, for example, those tickets will easily run you upward of $300.

And once you get there, the rising costs don’t stop.

AAA’s data show hotel rooms in the U.S. are 8% more expensive this year than 2024 and 4% higher internationally.

The biggest cost jump? Cruises, according to AAA, with a 27% increase domestically.

As for this year’s top destinations, AAA said Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Miami and New York round out the top five domestically. Rome, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Lisbon are the top international destinations.