With the year coming to an end, there’s no better time to start thinking about all of the new travel adventures to come. But first, let’s take a look back at the travel stories you wanted to read about in 2018.
From a rising interest in Europe (our look at Cheap European Destinations got 10x more eyes than any other article) to holiday travel hacks (Spring Break, Labor Day and 4th of July travel was top of mind in 2018), here are our 10 most-viewed travel stories from the past year.
1. The Cheapest European Destinations to Fly To from Every State
KAYAK data found that some European destinations are the cheapest they’ve been in years. Wondering where to fly to from your home airport? Our comprehensive list has you covered. Spoiler alert: It’s likely Iceland or Dublin. Make 2019 the year you give these budget-friend Euro trips are try.
2. What’s Your Travel Personality?
When it comes to planning a group trip — where do you fit in? Are you always taking charge? Are you throwing out wild ideas? Are you going with the flow? Take our quiz to find out your travel personality. Then trade planning your next group trip via an unruly WhatsApp chat for our easy and organized Trip Huddle tool.
3. Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Are there any travel deals?
Those looking for savings were all over our Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel sales. To prepare, we took a dive into our data to scope out the best bets for travelers looking to skip the new TV and opt for booking travel instead (we like how you think). While you wait for next year’s sales, check out our frequently updated Travel Deals for year-round saving ops.
4. 4 Underrated European Cities That Are Perfect for Summer
We saw a spike in traveler interest in Europe spiking this past summer. If you haven’t considered these four trending cities now’s your chance. You may find our alternatives to some of the tried-and-true hotspots are just what you need to shake up your 2019 travel routine.
5. Where Travelers from Your State are Going for Spring Break
We dove into our data to see which destinations Spring Break travelers from each state searched for. Take a look back and maybe find some early inspo for next year’s spring trip. We’ll help make sure you plan your vacation the best way possible.
6. Most Affordable Labor Day Destinations Based on When You Book
Labor Day travel is popular for a reason. Consider it one last hurrah before the end of summer becomes reality. But the more popular a time is to travel, the harder it is to find a great deal. Lucky for you, we tracked the destinations that saw the lowest median airfare for Labor Day in the previous year t0 identify which cities could offer you the most bang for your vacation buck.
7. KAYAK Tools to Find Cheap Flights
Sometimes you just know you need to get away, but you could use a little guidance on the whole when, where and how. KAYAK has designed some of the best tools in the travel game to help you find cheap flights. Here are four scenarios to illustrate how you can put them to use.
8. 5 ways to make low-cost airlines work for you
Basic Economy can be confusing, but many of you wanted to know how to get the most from your budget flight. Pro tip: Remember, with budget airlines, what you’re paying for is just the flight. With a few tips and hacks, savvy travelers can make the most of low-cost options. For example, if you need a carry-on or checked bag, be sure to use our Baggage Fee Assitant to factor in the cost.
9. How to Find Vacation Rentals on KAYAK
Sometimes you just want more space, but in some cities, it can even be more economical to score a stay in someone’s home than it is to book a deluxe suite. Thankfully, we’re here to help you find the best price on the perfect vacation rental.
10. What You Need to Know About July 4th Travel
With the Fourth falling on a Wednesday this past year, many used it as an excuse to take an extra long weekend. We even saw a 40% increase in searches to international destinations for the July 4th holiday versus the previous year. With the Fourth falling on a Thursday this year, we anticipate even more long weekends away.
Thanks, 2018 — it’s been real. Here’s to more travel adventures in 2019. Happy New Year, travelers.
