24 Best Travel Deals to Book Before Summer Is Over: Discounted Airfare, Hotels, & Car Rentals

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Labor Day is right around the corner, and what better way is there to kiss summer goodbye than with one last adventure? Right now, a handful of travel companies are coming in clutch with late summer deals, while others are looking ahead to fall, winter, and beyond to make sure you have something to look forward to when the temperatures start dropping.

Fleeting deals this month include hundreds of dollars off EF Go Ahead Tours’ upcoming international itineraries, a final shot to bring children on one of Rocky Mountaineer’s scenic Southwest train rides for free, and 25 percent off of round-trip Europe airfare through Icelandic airline Play. Plus, Atlantis Paradise Islands has a new flight and hotel bundle for its Bahamas resorts, and Celebrity Cruises wants to introduce you to the concept of an “Alaskan cruisetour” with $800 in savings. Don’t cry that summer’s over—because truthfully, it’s not.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Alex Erdekian. 

Icelandic airline Play is offering cheaper access to Europe with their flash sale.

Günter Wicker

Flight deals

East Coasters, spring for that Europe trip with 25 percent off flights from Play

Play Airlines is fighting the end-of-summer scaries with a flash sale on round-trip flights to Europe. With itineraries departing from New York state, Boston, Washington D.C., and Baltimore, flyers can travel all over Europe—including Play’s home base of Iceland—for 25 percent off between late August 2023 and March 2024. To redeem the offer, just make sure your dream destination falls into the correct booking window (as listed on the site) and make your purchase before August 14. Who said fall and winter have to be boring?

Cut costs big time with Frontier Airlines’ shockingly cheap one-way flight sales

Summer and autumn flight sales are in full swing at Frontier Airlines, where travelers can currently snag one-way flights as cheap as $19 between select locations on select dates. This option works best if you’re flexible with dates and destinations—you won’t have a lot of wiggle room with these deals. If you’re feeling restless, on a budget, or are eager to get out of town, consider Frontier for an affordable start to your getaway.

Save up to 30 percent on vacation packages with Spirit Airlines  

The budget airline is making it a cinch to save big not just on airfare, but hotels and more with its vacation packages, which are currently up to 30 percent off when travelers book flights, hotels, or rental cars together. Several of the top deals offer trips to Las Vegas and Cancun from cities such as Chicago, Houston, and New Orleans, starting at shockingly low prices that include flights and a hotel. International destinations, including Mexico and the Dominican Republic, are also on the table.

Save up to 40 percent on hotel stays in Etihad Airways’ Stopover Package

Stopover packages are a great way to add another destination to your journey without spending too much extra cash. Travelers who want to experience Abu Dhabi can take advantage of Etihad Airways’ discounted Stopover Packages, which currently include 40 percent off two- or four-night hotel stays in top properties, or a free stay in select three- or four-star hotels. The offer also comes with discounts on restaurants and other experiences, as well as amenities like 24-hour check-in and buffet breakfast. Travelers must make bookings at least three days in advance before arriving in Abu Dhabi.

Rocky Mountaineer is famous for its incredible views of the North American West.

Courtesy Rocky Mountaineer 

Train deals

Save $700 on children’s bookings for a scenic train tour through the Southwest

Bring your kids on a journey through the scenic American Southwest with Rocky Mountaineer’s family pricing promotion, which applies to bookings in August. The eligible train tour is called the Rockies to the Red Rocks, a three-night journey that takes passengers from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. Children—anyone 17 and under—can get $700 off their tickets as long as they’re sharing a room with a parent or guardian. Read up on the promotion and call to apply the discount at booking.

Ride out Amtrak’s range of ongoing sales

Amtrak is offering some good longer-lasting deals. Tickets on the Downeaster train, which runs five round-trips between Boston and Maine each day, are now eligible for a buy one, get one half-off deal. The special discount runs through December 2023, so you have plenty of time to enlist a travel buddy—just book at least three days in advance. More details on the discount here.

Riders can also enjoy up to 20 percent in savings on train rides booked at least seven days in advance, trimming costs on a variety of routes that range from coast-to-coast with no change fees. Plus, on most journeys, seniors save 10 percent on ticket costs—that means people 65 and over for qualifying domestic trips and ages 60 and up on cross-border expeditions. In addition to all that, Amtrak recently sweetened the savings on its children’s discount, so little ones between 2 and 12 years old may travel for 50 percent off with an accompanying adult.

Tour deals

Save hundreds on an international tour when you book in August

EF Go Ahead Tours’ The Time to Travel Sale is slashing hundreds of dollars off of its 2024 tours for all who book before August 30—plus, since you’re booking early, you’ll get ahead of any last-minute hikes to the base price. Tour itineraries span the globe, centered around specific regions and nations including Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, and Kenya, to name a few. The deal here is straight forward: Act soon and save.

Atlantis Bahamas resorts are offering savings on not only hotel stays, but also flights.

Courtesy Atlantis, Paradise Island

Hotel deals

Bundle flights with your Atlantis Bahamas resort stay and save up to $300

Now through May 2024, guests can save up to $300 for booking flights and rooms at the same time through Atlantis Paradise Islands’ website. All five of Atlantis’ Bahamas resorts are honoring the special, and the only condition is that guests stay a minimum of two nights at the resort and pay the flight and hotel costs in full at the time of booking.

Save a large percentage on hotels with the Expedia Summer Sale

Expedia always offers enticing deals for last-minute bookers, but during this steamy summer month, the savings are even hotter. The Expedia Summer Sale runs through August 20, 2023, and right now, we’re eyeing 20 percent off at Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Mexico, 35 percent off at Secrets St. James Montego Bay, and 43 percent off at Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Jamaica.

Make up for part of those flight costs with perks at a new Cabo resort

Corazón Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is drawing people in right now with its Sea, Sun & Savings deal, offering credits on credits to help guests afford the full experience. Bookings come with a daily $75 credit for food and beverages, a $150 massage credit, a $50 credit for a rooftop tequila tasting, and $100 to spend at Cabolectric, a sustainable activity company most notable for its electric surfing equipment.

Save 15 percent or more on spontaneous bookings with Booking.com

Booking.com loves a getaway deal, which comes in handy when you’re letting your wallet determine your next vacation. The site promises at least—not “up to”—15 percent off qualifying hotels of all price ranges, which are sorted by destination on the site to help guide you to a decision.

Stay longer, save bigger at Omni Hotels this summer

The longer you stay, the more savings you’ll rack up with Omni Hotels & Resorts’ Longer Days, Longer Stays promotion, running now through September 28 and eligible for trips during the same time frame. The enticing package means that a one-night stay equals 10 percent off, two nights equals 15 percent off, and three nights or longer equals up to 20 percent off the cost of the booking. Countless Omni properties in every corner of the United States are participating, giving you full control over where you venture. The question now is…how do you choose?

​​Celebrate the 120th anniversary of NYC’s Kixby Hotel

To celebrate its 120th birthday, the Kixby Hotel, one of the longest standing hotels in New York, has launched its 120 Days of Summer package, which applies every Friday this summer. The deal is chock-full of savings with a numerical nod to the hotel’s longevity, with $120 rates for lux king or queen room categories; $1.20 drinks and burgers at on-site restaurants; and $120 worth of in-room goodies. The deal runs through August (reserve at least two days in advance) and availability is limited; use code 120 to check available dates.

Earn 20 percent off nightly rates and a $100 daily resort credit at Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos

This butler-serviced villa resort in Providenciales is welcoming families this summer with 20 percent off the best available rate, plus a $100 nightly resort credit (and a gift for kiddos under 12), for travelers who book before September 30 for trips through December 18, 2023. Activities on tap for kids and teens this summer include bone fishing excursions, sailing lessons, and private cooking classes.

A plush hotel bed at Mondrian Los Angeles 

Courtesy Mondrian LA

Get a sweet, suite deal at Mondrian Los Angeles 

Level up your LA vacay with discounted suites at Mondrian Los Angeles—they’re currently 20 percent off and also come with a $25 daily in-room dining credit and guaranteed late check out of 1 p.m. (early check-in is based upon availability; the deal also is subject to availability, and blackout dates may apply). The suites offer travelers a spiffy home base right in the heart of West Hollywood, and the property’s dreamy rooftop pool is a perfect way to wind down after a day of sightseeing and celeb spotting. 

Alaska’s enormous Hubbard Glacier

Brad Weaver/Unslpash

Cruise deals

Earn up to $800 off an Alaskan expedition that’s part-cruise, part-land tour

Save the big bucks with Celebrity Cruises when you set off on an unforgettable Alaska “cruisetour,” a unique spin on a typical cruise that also incorporates land touring via trains and lodges. From now through September 7, travel duos can get up to $800 off their choice of three itineraries departing in 2024. No promo code is needed to redeem the offer, just head to the deal page and start window shopping.

Take your family on a Disney cruise with a 30-percent-off special

The famously family-friendly Disney Cruise Line is now offering between 20 and 30 percent savings on select cruises setting sail later this year from ports including New York City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Brisbane, Australia. The current cruises on sale include Halloween-themed sailings and a quick Christmastime trip, adding the joy of the holidays to the mix.

Kids cruise free in parties of three or four with Holland America Line

Family vacations with Holland America are extra affordable in 2023 and 2024 with the cruise line’s limited-time Kids Cruise Free booking deal. The special offer provides free travel to destinations like Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean for up to two kids, if they’re booked as the third and/or fourth guests in the party. As far as Holland America is concerned, anyone 18 and under qualifies as a kid, so you can bring your teens along for the journey just as well.

Jump on a Mediterranean cruise sale starting at $399 for seven nights

Through September 8, Costa Cruises is taking some serious dollars off its Mediterranean cruises, offering a variety of 8- to 15-day itineraries. The two most affordable options start at $399: One departs from Savona, Italy, and the other from Civitavecchia, Italy (outside of Rome). The various itineraries on sale offer range, with many centered around Italy, Spain, and France, and others stopping through ports in Greece, Croatia, and Turkey.

Even more travel deals

Earn a free day with your Hertz rental car when you choose an electric vehicle

Hertz is going all-in on incentivizing its electric vehicles, which now includes offering one day free on electric car reservations lasting two or more days. Use promo code 211174 at booking to redeem the offer, and enjoy as much as 50 percent off your reservation, depending on how many days you’re away. The offer only applies on trips taking place by September 6, so start plotting.

Get a quarter of the price cut on rental cars picked up by December 31

Rental car company Budget is offering up to 25 percent off its weekly car rates for 2023 reservations lasting five nights or more, so long as you mention the code BCD D111800 at checkout. The offer is subject to vehicle availability, but there’s no room for complaining with a deal this painless.

Save hundreds on extended stays with Cabana Camper Vans

Cabana is a modern mobile hospitality company with a fleet of luxury, high-tech camper vans for rent. For travel beginning August 1, they’re offering $600 off trips lasting 10 nights or longer and $200 off trips lasting at least five nights. Use the promo codes 10NIGHTSTAY or 5NIGHTSTAY at checkout to cash in on the deal. Find additional deals to take advantage of on the site’s offer page, including deals for teachers and first responders.

Invest in a milestone trip

If a Kenyan safari is the adventure you need after the United States’ warm season winds down, Cottar’s Safaris, a luxury outfitter based in Maasai Mara, has an enticing offer for travel between November 1 and December 19, 2023 (Kenya’s springtime). Three-night stays at both of Cottar’s facilities—the 1920s Camp and the Bush Villa—come with a fourth night for free. Additional restrictions apply, and travelers also confirm availability before booking.