ECLIPSE TRAVEL DRIVES EXPEDIA SEARCHES TO SPIKE UP TO 1,100% FOR STAYS ALONG THE PATH OF TOTALITY

Rhea-AI Summary

Expedia and Vrbo introduce a new app feature to help last-minute eclipse chasers find accommodation along the path of the upcoming total solar eclipse in April 2024. The feature allows users to easily browse available hotels and vacation rentals, with cities like Burlington, Vermont, and Little Rock, Arkansas experiencing significant spikes in hotel searches. The PR also highlights affordable accommodation options in cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Indianapolis, Indiana, and Dayton, Ohio.

With Just One Month Until the Total Solar Eclipse, Expedia and Vrbo App Feature Helps Last-Minute Eclipse Chasers Find a Place to Stay

SEATTLE, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The countdown is on for the first total solar eclipse since 2017, with just a month left for eclipse enthusiasts to lock in their travel plans. According to Expedia® data released today, cities along the path of totality will be flooded by a wave of travelers around April 8. Among the North American destinations seeing the biggest spikes in hotel searches for the eclipse are Burlington, Vermont (+1,155%); Little Rock, Arkansas (+985%); Dayton, Ohio (+705%); Buffalo, New York (+645%) and Indianapolis, Indiana (+545%).¹

Hotels and vacation homes along the U.S. path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine, are in high demand

The good news for last-minute eclipse chasers? It's not too late to book. In fact, a new feature on the Expedia and Vrbo® apps shows available hotels and private vacation rentals along the solar eclipse's projected path in a map view, making it easy to browse availability and average daily rates across a range of destinations. Just enter "Solar Eclipse 2024" in the destination box, choose the dates of stay surrounding April 8, and discover a variety of properties within the eclipse's projected path of totality.

"The total solar eclipse is just one month from now, and there are still three-star hotels available in Dallas for $126 a night and $107 in Dayton," said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. "This close to the eclipse the rates tend to be lower in the bigger cities where there are more hotels, and higher in areas like the Hill Country outside Austin — that's where groups of friends or family should look at the Vrbo vacation homes still available."

Where to Stay

Hotels and vacation homes along the U.S. path of totality, which stretches from Texas to Maine, are in high demand. Luckily, several major cities sit on the path, so inventory is still available. Check out some of these stellar options, handpicked by Expedia and Vrbo travel experts:

   1.  Austin, Texas

• Three-star hotels in the Austin area with availability currently start around $187 per night.²
• Rooms remain available at top-rated hotels with One Key member perks including:
  • The LINE Austin  
  • Hotel ZaZa Austin
  • The Carpenter Hotel
  • Aiden by Best Western
• Nearly 15% of Vrbo properties in the Austin and surrounding Hill Country area are still available, including these highly rated homes:³
  • Luxe Ranch Life
  • The Philosopher's Playhouse
  • Chic East Austin Retreat
  • The Urban Shade
  • Tarrytown Home

  2. Dallas, Texas

• Three-star hotels in the Dallas area with availability currently start around $126 per night.
• Rooms remain available at top-rated hotels with One Key member perks including:
  • Virgin Hotels Dallas
  • The Joule
  • Wyndham DFW Airport
• Over 10% of Vrbo properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are still available, including these highly rated homes:
  • Stunning Dallas Home
  • Magnolia Mint Townhouse
  • Luxury Arlington Home

   3.      San Antonio, Texas

• Three-star hotels in the San Antonio area with availability currently start around $108 per night.
• Rooms remain available at top-rated hotels including:
  • Mokara Hotel & Spa
  • Omni La Mansion del Rio
  • Marriott San Antonio Airport
• Nearly 15% of Vrbo properties in the San Antonio area are still available, including these highly rated homes:
  • Oasis in Lavaca
  • Tranquil San Antonio Home
  • Casa Verde

   4.      Indianapolis, Indiana

• Three-star hotels in the Indianapolis area with availability currently start around $193 per night.
• Rooms remain available at top-rated hotels including:
  • Hotel Indy
  • Bottleworks Hotel
  • Drury Plaza Hotel
• Nearly 10% of Vrbo properties in the Indianapolis area are still available, including these highly rated homes:
  • Dog-friendly Home
  • Luxurious Grand Park Home
  • The Greenwood Oasis

   5.      Dayton, Ohio

• Three-star hotels in the Dayton area with availability currently start around $107 per night.
• Rooms remain available at top-rated hotels including:
  • AC Hotel Dayton
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites
• Over 10% of Vrbo properties in the Dayton area are still available, including these highly rated homes:
  • Comfy Contemporary Apartment
  • The Blue Cottage

Travel Tips for the Solar Eclipse

• Plan for crowds: With spring breakers also on the road during the week of the eclipse, travelers can expect the roads and airports to be busy. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure and plan ahead for more traffic than normal.
• Things to do: Many hotels may require a minimum stay of three or more nights, so check out activities and attractions nearby to round out the trip, like renting a kayak at Austin's Lady Bird Lake for $25 per person or booking an immersive art experience in San Antonio.
• Save a bundle: Car rental is also expected to be competitive, due to spring break travel during the week of the eclipse. Save by adding a car to a flight or hotel booking on Expedia, taking advantage of bundled rates.
• Book once, earn twice: One Key™ members earn OneKeyCash™ through eligible Expedia and Vrbo bookings, and can earn twice by inputting their airline mileage plan details at checkout, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. OneKeyCash can be used toward travelers' next eligible Expedia, Vrbo or Hotels.com bookings.  

About Expedia

Expedia^® is one of the world's leading full-service travel brands, with a mission of helping travelers get the most out of every trip they take by providing everything they need all in one place, ensuring they are getting the most out of every trip they take, and above all else, feel supported every step of the way.  

Our commitment to insights matched with our unprecedented scale allows us to understand our travelers better than anyone else, delivering exactly what they need, when they need it. Our personalized experiences, backed by incredible technology, enable us to deliver the widest selection of product offerings across accommodations, transportation, activities and experiences that help you get the most out of your journey.  

Use our mobile app or visit www.expedia.com to plan your journey with us.  

© 2024 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST# 2029030-50.

Follow Expedia on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

About Vrbo

In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together.

Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.

Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.

© 2024 Vrbo, an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Vrbo, HomeAway, the Vrbo logo, and the HomeAway logo are trademarks of HomeAway.

Follow Vrbo on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Data Sources:

¹ Based on lodging searches on Expedia.com as of March 1, 2024, for stays between April 6–9, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023.

² Average price of 3-star hotels sourced from the Expedia app based on availability and pricing as of March 1, 2024, for stays between April 6–9, 2024. Log in to an Expedia account on the app for the best rates and member pricing.

³ Vrbo pricing and availability sourced from the Vrbo app as of March 1, 2024, for stays between April 7–9, 2024.

 

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SOURCE Expedia

FAQ

What is the new feature introduced by Expedia and Vrbo to help last-minute eclipse chasers?

Expedia and Vrbo have introduced a new app feature that allows users to find available hotels and vacation rentals along the path of the upcoming total solar eclipse in April 2024.

Which cities are experiencing significant spikes in hotel searches for the solar eclipse according to the PR?

According to the PR, cities like Burlington, Vermont, Little Rock, Arkansas, Dayton, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, and Indianapolis, Indiana are seeing significant spikes in hotel searches for the upcoming total solar eclipse.

What are some affordable accommodation options mentioned in the PR for eclipse chasers?

The PR mentions affordable accommodation options in cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Indianapolis, Indiana, and Dayton, Ohio, with three-star hotels starting at around $126-$193 per night.

What are some travel tips provided in the PR for eclipse chasers?

The PR provides travel tips for eclipse chasers, including planning for crowds, checking out nearby activities and attractions, saving on car rentals by bundling with flight or hotel bookings, and earning rewards through Expedia and Vrbo bookings as One Key members.