Pay For It: The Rising Cost of Spring Break

By KIAN CONCERT and ANA LISANIN

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all areas of life, and spring break is no different. The typical spring break experience may be out of reach for most college students.

The big picture: Getting to your favorite warm-weather destination may be harder this year than it was pre-pandemic. Airfare, hotel stays, and even RV prices have skyrocketed since the pandemic began. Many college students are skipping out on the traditional spring break experience because of these cost increases.

• “Mid-March is where teens and college students typically go for spring break,” said Khalisah Hameed, 21, a Music Production Major at Ramapo College. Like other college students, Hameed is sitting out on this year’s typical spring break festivities. “I think prices are intentionally hiked up because if you’re willing to go, you’re going to pay for it anyway.”

The numbers: According to a pre-pandemic article by Travel Pulse, spring break sported an on-average cost of $1,817.70.

• In 2019, the average cost of domestic airfare was $355.
• The average room rate cost in Central Floridawas $128.13.

The numbers, pandemic edition:

• Now that we’re two years in, higher prices can be anticipated. Domestic airline tickets have seen a 20% increase since last year.
• A single-night stay in Central Florida will cost roughly $257–a 22% increase from last year.