FIFA World Cup Travel Prices Are Already Climbing. Here's How to Beat the Surge.

According to Expedia’s debut Fan Travel Outlook, the next few months are the time for booking a trip to catch a World Cup match without breaking the bank. Expedia’s trove of booking data shows just how much the World Cup is already driving travel trends: searches for travel in host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico are up 125 percent compared to this time last year. And according to travel experts, it’s likely to influence travel costs and availability for the next year. 

It’s both Americans and international travelers searching for reservations, according to Expedia Travel Expert Melanie Fish, with searches to host cities from domestic travelers up 120 percent year-over-year across the board. It means “US travelers are planning to attend the games just as enthusiastically as the rest of the world,” Fish says.

Expedia’s data shows that spikes in searches (and accompanied price surges) are noticeable on match days, not spread across the whole summer. That indicates searches are tied to World Cup travel, rather than reflecting a general growing interest in those cities. In Seattle, hotel interest soared 185 percent for the June 19 group-stage match. Los Angeles saw an 80 percent increase in searches over match days, with similar trends in most cities. Fish has advice for Matador Network readers thinking about booking World Cup travel: “Turn on Price Alerts in the Expedia app so you’ll get notified when prices drop.”

Here’s what else to start thinking about if you’re hoping to save money on booking World Cup travel.

Booking World Cup travel now will save money

Demand has already started driving up hotel searches and rates for tournament dates, according to Expedia’s data. Fish advises that fans keep an eye on schedules and try to beat the rush. “Fans are already scouting out where their teams will play, and once the matchups are finalized, we’ll likely see a big spike in travel planning,” she told Matador Network. Because of this, she advises booking stays now, and making sure they’re refundable. That way, you’ll have a reservation lined up if your team of choice is playing. And if it turns out they’re not playing in the city you expected, you can cancel your reservation without penalty.

If you wait, expect prices to climb further, even this far out. “Demand is heating up, so now’s the moment to be strategic,” she adds.

Consider Mexico for budget-friendly World Cup travel

For cost-conscious fans, Mexico is the “budget-friendly MVP,” according to Fish. Expedia’s data show that Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara hotel prices are consistently offering lower hotel prices than their US and Canadian counterparts over match days. They’re significant differences, with the data showing that average hotel rates over game days are about 50 percent lower than US host cities, and 55 percent lower than Vancouver and Toronto.

Savings are also noticeable when it comes to flights. Mexico has fast and inexpensive travel between host cities, with flights on Expedia between Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara typically priced under $150 and taking two hours or less. That means savvy fans could feasibly attend multiple matches in Mexico across different cities for the cost of attending one game in a more expensive city, like Vancouver. And Fish notes that the distinct local culture in each city, combined with an abundance of lodging options, makes them a great pick for people who want to experience more than just a soccer match.

Save by staying near, not in, host cities

Travelers can stretch their dollars by booking hotels just outside, rather than in, host cities. Places like Fort Worth (40 minutes from Dallas) or Fort Lauderdale (45 minutes from Miami) are likely to have comparable quality hotels and resorts,  but at much lower rates. Cities that are close to stadiums “can save you $50 or more per night,” Fish advises.

Dallas and Kansas City are making waves

While you may expect cities like Vancouver or San Francisco to be the most expensive, it’s actually Dallas that stands as the priciest destination for fans, outpacing all other host cities when it comes to hotel rates and overall expenses. Nightly hotel rates in the Dallas suburb of Arlington (where the matches will be played) range from $100 to a whopping $1,400 on the night of the first match. Expedia experts advise that several factors are driving the costs: “Dallas is the city hosting the most games of the tournament (nine matches), versus other cities across North America that are hosting between 5–8,” Fish says. Dallas also has fewer hotel options than places like New York, LA, or Miami, creating noteworthy price differences. Houston, Miami, and LA all currently have hotel rates over the World Cup match dates at about half the cost of those in Dallas.

It could also be that travelers are realizing Dallas’ convenience, especially if they plan to attend multiple matches. Fish says it’s appealing as it’s only a 3.5-hour drive from Houston, a city hosting another seven matches. “It’s also a great hub to fly to Mexico from, with daily flights to Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara,” she adds.

Interestingly, Kansas City is seeing a massive 380 percent increase in travel searches over the World Cup. Fish says it’s almost all tied to the matches, as it’s not normally a top summer destination. She thinks fans may be using the World Cup as an excuse to visit a new city they wouldn’t otherwise visit, such as Kansas City. “It’s also smack dab in the middle of the country,” she says, “so it takes less time to get there by air or car for a lot of fans.”

How to save money on World Cup flights

Travelers seeking to catch several matches in more than one city should plan early and look for bundled flight and hotel deals. While flying anywhere within Mexico is affordable right now, travelers arriving to US cities may have to get savvy when it comes to planning their routes. And for those flying in from abroad, booking travel in separate segments may be beneficial. Fish advises landing entering the US via New York City, “one of the cheapest international entry points.” Visitors can catch one of the final matches, then travel elsewhere in the US for an extended trip by booking a separate domestic flight.

However, the number one takeaway based on Expedia data and expert advice is to make your plans soon — but also plan for flexibility. Prioritize getting your hotel and flights booked, but monitor price changes, and consider secondary cities and nearby suburbs if they’re already too pricey. As Fish recommends, “book your stays early, but just make sure they’re refundable. That way, you lock in a good deal now but still have the flexibility to change plans later if needed.”

With demand only expected to intensify as kickoff approaches, those who plan ahead will be in the best position to watch their team while avoiding the worst sticker shock on World Cup travel.