Summer vacation costs are climbing as higher gas prices and airfare push travelers to rethink their plans, according to some travel agents in Central Pennsylvania.Fuel costs shocking travelersScott Miller, a spokesperson for Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), said rising fuel costs are hitting drivers, like himself, hard. “I put $70 of gas into the car the other day. First time we’ve been over $50 maybe ever. That’s a hit,” said Miller.Doni Lee Fox, a spokesperson for AAA Central Penn, said some travelers are changing their plans because of the price increases. “We do have some people that are, you know, instead of traveling international, maybe they’re deciding to stay domestic,” said Fox.The national average for regular gas is about $4.50 a gallon, and in Pennsylvania it is $4.64 a gallon, according to AAA. Last week, President Trump suggested a national gas tax, which could cut prices at the pump.Airline prices in the airThe president of the Central Pennsylvania American Society of Travel Advisors, Tracy Schatz, said some airline prices are up 200% for summer travel.”I was seeing somebody who was going to Disney, and they were shocked that the airline tickets were $800 when last year they went to Disney, and it cost them like $300 and change per person to go,” said Schatz.WGAL News 8’s AJ Sisson verified this claim on Google’s flight booking feature and found some flights matched the claim made by Schatz, but some flights were cheaper than $300 on alternate airlines and different departure dates. If travelers are flexible, it opens more options for a summer vacation.Social media travel agentsAgents say travelers should be cautious about money-saving tips on social media sites promising cheap trips to dream locations.”Anything that you see online, you can’t trust it all,” said Fox.Miller said travel costs can change quickly as airlines use dynamic pricing on flights, using factors such as day of the week or time of the flight, making timing important. “Travel is such an individual thing that it’s easy to give people advice, but at the end of the day, it comes down to you making the decision on what’s best for you,” said Miller.Still looking for a summer vacation?Fox said flexibility can help travelers save money on flights, hotels and other expenses.”Even though gas prices are going up, which is causing airfare to go up, we are finding some great deals and perks on other things like cruising, dining, hotels, excursions,” said Fox. Ticket prices can change several times a day, so travelers should keep checking before they book. Fox and Schatz say that if you’re looking to travel this summer on a tighter budget, finding trips that are closer to home could still scratch that travel itch.”There are things that you can do that aren’t far away. Do your research. National parks, for example. They have two free days,” said Fox.”Philadelphia. We have Newark. We have New York even, and Baltimore. Drive and go on a cruise,” said Schatz.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Summer vacation costs are climbing as higher gas prices and airfare push travelers to rethink their plans, according to some travel agents in Central Pennsylvania.

Fuel costs shocking travelers

Scott Miller, a spokesperson for Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), said rising fuel costs are hitting drivers, like himself, hard.

“I put $70 of gas into the car the other day. First time we’ve been over $50 maybe ever. That’s a hit,” said Miller.

Doni Lee Fox, a spokesperson for AAA Central Penn, said some travelers are changing their plans because of the price increases.

“We do have some people that are, you know, instead of traveling international, maybe they’re deciding to stay domestic,” said Fox.

The national average for regular gas is about $4.50 a gallon, and in Pennsylvania it is $4.64 a gallon, according to AAA. Last week, President Trump suggested a national gas tax, which could cut prices at the pump.

Airline prices in the air

The president of the Central Pennsylvania American Society of Travel Advisors, Tracy Schatz, said some airline prices are up 200% for summer travel.

“I was seeing somebody who was going to Disney, and they were shocked that the airline tickets were $800 when last year they went to Disney, and it cost them like $300 and change per person to go,” said Schatz.

WGAL News 8’s AJ Sisson verified this claim on Google’s flight booking feature and found some flights matched the claim made by Schatz, but some flights were cheaper than $300 on alternate airlines and different departure dates. If travelers are flexible, it opens more options for a summer vacation.

Social media travel agents

Agents say travelers should be cautious about money-saving tips on social media sites promising cheap trips to dream locations.

“Anything that you see online, you can’t trust it all,” said Fox.

Miller said travel costs can change quickly as airlines use dynamic pricing on flights, using factors such as day of the week or time of the flight, making timing important.

“Travel is such an individual thing that it’s easy to give people advice, but at the end of the day, it comes down to you making the decision on what’s best for you,” said Miller.

Still looking for a summer vacation?

Fox said flexibility can help travelers save money on flights, hotels and other expenses.

“Even though gas prices are going up, which is causing airfare to go up, we are finding some great deals and perks on other things like cruising, dining, hotels, excursions,” said Fox.

Ticket prices can change several times a day, so travelers should keep checking before they book. Fox and Schatz say that if you’re looking to travel this summer on a tighter budget, finding trips that are closer to home could still scratch that travel itch.

“There are things that you can do that aren’t far away. Do your research. National parks, for example. They have two free days,” said Fox.

“Philadelphia. We have Newark. We have New York even, and Baltimore. Drive and go on a cruise,” said Schatz.