Travel Inflation Report: October 2025

Overall journey prices are up year-over-year for the primary time since February 2025. That’s largely pushed by a 3.2% rise in airfare prices and a extra modest lower in lodging prices in comparison with what we have seen the previous few months.

Average U.S. journey prices are 2% larger in comparison with this time in 2024, in keeping with NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index, which mixes information from particular person journey classes tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index, akin to airfares, lodging, meals and rental vehicles.

While airfares are up, different journey classes are displaying decreases, with lodge room charges down 0.8% and automotive rental costs down 5.0% over the previous 12 months. Even although journey costs are larger, that 2% improve can nonetheless be thought of excellent news for shoppers as general costs for the previous 12 months via September 2025 rose 3.0% earlier than seasonal adjustment, in keeping with BLS information.

With costs larger primarily based on the info versus final 12 months, touring is not low cost. However, there are some good strikes you possibly can take now to cut back the value of your subsequent journey. Check out our money-saving travel suggestions beneath.

Travel prices immediately vs. pre-pandemic

The Travel Price Index reveals a 2% improve in journey costs from September 2024.

Relative to pre-pandemic costs, September 2025 journey prices are up 12% versus September 2019 (the final full equal month earlier than the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic). That’s far decrease than the 27% worth improve throughout all gadgets.

Not each product experiences inflation on the identical price — particularly with regards to journey. Some journeys may really be kind of costly than up to now, relying on for those who’re driving versus flying, for those who’re staying in a lodge and whether or not it includes a rental automotive.

To assist you higher perceive how journey costs have modified, NerdWallet honed in on 5 classes:

• Movies, theaters and live shows.

NerdWallet then in contrast these prices to costs from one month and one 12 months earlier.

And to broaden the angle, the info additionally compares immediately’s costs to costs 10 years in the past. Here’s what immediately’s journey costs appear to be:

How airfares have modified

When evaluating September 2025 costs to September 2024, U.S. airfares are up by 3.2% — one of many highest year-over-year will increase in airfares since January 2025.

However, for those who zoom out, the outlook is rosier: Compared to costs 10 years in the past, airfares are literally down by 6.1%. It’s fairly exceptional for costs to drop over that time frame, particularly contemplating that the costs for all gadgets tracked by BLS are up 36.6% over that very same interval.

So if airfares are down over the previous decade, why do they really feel so excessive? There are just a few causes, together with unbundling, the place airways promote decrease fares (usually within the type of primary financial system seats that provide few frills).

But low base fares sometimes include upcharges within the type of ancillary charges to verify luggage, to ensure an aisle seat or for early boarding. Those further costs will not be captured on this information — regardless of it nonetheless impacting one’s journey funds.

One storyline to observe is airline consolidation, particularly as low-cost carriers battle financially. Whenever airways merge, exit of enterprise and even pull out of key markets, that normally interprets to much less competitors on sure routes. These conditions give different airways extra pricing energy to cost larger fares on sure routes.

How lodge room charges have modified

Average U.S. lodge and motel room charges are down by 0.8% over the previous 12 months. That’s excellent news for vacationers, because it means they will usually anticipate to pay barely much less for a similar lodge room this 12 months than they did final 12 months.

However, that’s the smallest year-over-year lower for lodging prices since March 2025. From then to August 2025, month-to-month lodging prices have been down between 1.7% and 4.8% 12 months over 12 months. September’s modest 0.8% lower, coupled with the rise in airfare costs, performs a big function within the general rise in journey prices.

Compared to 10 years in the past, vacationers could also be feeling the pinch although, as lodge room charges are up 18.4% over the previous decade. However, that is nonetheless a superb deal lower than the 36.6% improve throughout all gadgets.

How rental automotive costs have modified

High rental automotive costs have been one of many largest tales of pandemic-era journey. But after an enormous spike, costs have largely come down from the height — though they continue to be a lot larger in comparison with earlier than the pandemic.

In September 2025, rental automotive costs are down 5.1% versus the month prior and down 5.0% in comparison with the 12 months prior.

How restaurant costs have modified

Food costs persistently rise almost each month, and this month was no exception. In September 2025, the price of meals away from dwelling was up 3.7% versus the identical month in 2024.

The value of eating out has elevated dramatically up to now decade, with August 2025 costs 49.5% larger than what they have been in August 2015. That’s larger than the 36.6% inflation price throughout all gadgets, that means restaurant costs have risen greater than many different classes of products.

How the value of films, theaters and live shows has modified

Tickets for motion pictures, theaters and live shows are additionally rising quicker than the common price of inflation, up by 4.0% over the previous 12 months. With the price of eating and leisure outpacing the speed of inflation, that would counsel that Americans are prioritizing experiences over bodily issues.

Smart cash transfer: Use journey rewards playing cards to guide

Paying for journey with factors and miles versus money isn’t as daunting a process as it could appear. Frequent flyer miles and lodge factors will be accrued not only for recurring journey, however via different shops as properly. Credit card rewards and welcome bonuses will be some of the widespread methods to accrue a giant stash of factors for lots much less effort than residing your life out of a suitcase.

In addition, journey bank cards can provide numerous money-saving perks, like:

Here are among the finest bank cards that provide travel-related assertion credit.

If you’re touring in 2025…

If you’re constructing your subsequent trip funds primarily based on how a lot you spent final 12 months, you may must think about spending extra on sure classes like consuming out and flights. Fortunately, you possibly can nonetheless save on journey with just a little planning.

To keep away from the prices of consuming out, head to native grocery shops — which could be a enjoyable exercise by itself — or pack snacks from dwelling. While in an airport, head to the lounge. Many bank cards have partnerships with airport lounge networks (Priority Pass is a well-liked one) the place you possibly can sometimes anticipate complimentary snacks and drinks.

NerdWallet carried out an evaluation of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index information launched by the U.S. Department of Labor, which was most just lately up to date in October 2025 and measures costs of things like journey, groceries and vehicles. Some costs change greater than others.

Keep in thoughts, this information relies on September 2025 info, regardless that it’s launched in October 2025. Prices you see could have elevated or decreased in comparison with this information, as a result of it lags one month behind.

And even throughout the realm of journey, some bills may go up, whereas others may go down.

The NerdWallet Travel Price Index combines information from the Consumer Price Index, weighted by the estimated spending in every class, which relies on 2019 journey expenditure information from the BLS.

Here are the spending classes thought of, and the way closely every was weighted: