If 2021 was the year of the cautious comeback and 2023 was the year of revenge travel, 2025 might just be the year Canadians fully embrace the power of their own backyard. Not the literal one, but the national one. With international travel costs climbing and the loonie still limping along, Canadians are turning inward and finding gold.
According to a new report, domestic destinations like Calgary, Halifax, and Kelowna top the list of most affordable places for Canadians to explore this summer. But it’s not just about saving money. It’s about rediscovering what summer in Canada can look like when we stop trying to escape it.
The summer of 2025 has ushered in a travel season characterized by unpredictability. From fluctuating flight prices to evolving border protocols and the ever-present concern of wildfires, travelers are finding that adaptability is essential.
Across the country, vacationers lean into refundable bookings, drivable escapes, and short-haul flights. They’re choosing lakeside cabins, alpine trails, and less-crowded beaches over high-stress, high-cost airports. For Kamloops locals, that might mean swapping ferry lineups for Tod Mountain switchbacks or scoring last-minute Shuswap cancellations instead of navigating wildfire reroutes on the Coquihalla.
Unpredictability still defines this travel season, but so does opportunity. Plan B isn’t second-best. This summer, it’s simply smarter.
Flight Deals (in July)
Forget advance booking tips; by July, it’s all about strategic pivots. Last-minute doesn’t always mean overpriced if you know where to look.
Late July and early August often bring shoulder-season discounts, especially in destinations like Puerto Vallarta or Lisbon. Airline cancellations and fare drops can occur one to three weeks before departure. Using Google Flights’ “Explore” feature or setting up real-time alerts improves your chances of finding deals.
Short-haul escapes remain appealing. Weekend trips to Calgary, Victoria, or Whitehorse offer refreshing changes of pace without the cost or commitment of longer getaways. For those hoping to reach Europe, return-leg deals through Toronto or Montreal combined with a domestic points fare can create a more cost-effective route.
Now is also the time to cash-in travel rewards. With high demand during peak season, Aeroplan and credit card points can offer more value, turning loyalty programs into genuine money-savers.
It might feel like summer flights are always expensive, but this year, a surprising trend is emerging: August is shaping up to be a sleeper hit for savvy travelers. According to airfare trackers like Going, international flight prices in late August are averaging over $180 cheaper than in June, thanks in part to earlier school return dates in the U.S. and softened demand across long-haul routes.
That drop isn’t just good news for Americans. Canadian travelers, especially those flying out of Vancouver, Calgary, or even Bellingham, are in a unique position to score last-minute deals. Destinations like Lisbon, Athens, or even Tokyo are cities that are trending due to affordability, expanded airline capacity, and a craving for less-crowded alternatives to London or Paris.
And for those staying closer to home? Domestic deals are also appearing more frequently, particularly for nature-focused getaways like Denver, Seattle, or Honolulu—places that align with Canadian interests in wellness and outdoor travel.
Experienced Flyers Are Shipping Their Luggage
If Plan B means traveling smarter, then this might be the ultimate insider tip: skip the baggage claim altogether.
As major U.S. airports, such as Newark, experience runway closures and ripple-effect delays through hubs like JFK and LaGuardia, more travelers are turning to luggage shipping services.
It may sound like a luxury, but shipping luggage via services like ShipPlay has become an increasingly practical choice. Avoiding checked baggage fees, saving time in line, and waltzing through security with only a carry-on? That’s the kind of peace of mind most travelers don’t realize is possible.
For Kamloops residents connecting through airports like Vancouver or Calgary, shipping luggage ahead provides peace of mind. It lightens the load — literally — and streamlines the airport experience. Your suitcase could be waiting poolside long before you are.
Destinations to Approach with Caution
Some iconic spots feel more like stress tests during summer’s peak. According to a recent report, Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, topped the global list for tourist stress, with 67 percent of visitors citing issues such as long lines, overcrowding, and frequent ride closures.
The CN Tower in Toronto also proved challenging for many. Over 17 percent of guests reported experiencing stressful visits due to elevator delays, rushed observation deck experiences, and weather-related closures.
Even the postcard-perfect Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Alberta aren’t immune. More than one in four visitors found the experience frustrating due to overwhelming crowds, limited parking, premium prices, and short time limits at popular viewpoints.
These high-profile attractions still hold appeal, but savvy travelers may want to consider visiting during the shoulder seasons or seeking out quieter, lesser-known alternatives nearby.
Track, Don’t Guess
Travelers watching their summer budgets now have a new tool to help time their bookings. As of spring 2025, Google offers hotel price tracking in Canada. By visiting google.com/hotels, you can enter your destination and travel dates, toggle on the price tracking option, and receive email alerts when prices drop.
For Kamloops residents planning a last-minute escape or waiting to commit to a long weekend, the tool reduces uncertainty. It allows you to track rates across properties without having to refresh websites or risk missing out on a deal.
This feature comes at a time when less-expected destinations are on the rise. Google’s data points to a handful of Canadian locations trending upward in popularity. Among them are Smithers and Whistler in British Columbia, Pangnirtung in Nunavut, Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, and Bonaventure in Quebec.
These places may not show up on typical top-10 lists, but that’s part of their appeal. With fewer crowds and a more profound sense of place, they offer a reminder that summer’s best stories don’t always follow the map. Sometimes Plan B is where the real adventure begins.