Summer travel doesn’t have to break the bank. According to Expedia’s newly released Summer Travel Outlook, several Canadian cities offer exceptional value for budget-conscious travellers in 2026.
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Cities such as Regina, Windsor, Edmonton and Saskatoon rank among the most affordable destinations to stay this summer, while smaller hubs like Abbotsford and Penticton are proving to be some of the cheapest places to fly within Canada.
The findings reflect a broader shift in how Canadians are approaching summer vacations. “Canadians are rethinking how they travel this summer,” said Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group brands. “We’re seeing travellers balance rising costs by choosing road trips, shorter flights and familiar destinations at home — while still making room in their plans for dream trips to Europe.”
This value-driven mindset is reshaping domestic travel patterns. While major cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal remain popular for their big-city energy, there has been a surge in interest for smaller and nature-focused destinations. Among the top trending Canadian locations are Edmonton and Jasper, both up 35 per cent in search demand. On the East Coast, Halifax rose 25 per cent, followed by Charlottetown and Moncton at 20 per cent.
For those looking to stretch their travel dollars even further, Expedia data shows that timing is everything. The cheapest days to fly domestically this summer are June 5 and June 11, while international travel is most affordable on June 4 and August 31. Travellers who can be flexible with their dates can save significantly by avoiding peak travel periods.
