This Is When You Should Book Your Summer Holiday Vacation Rental, According to Vrbo

Summer holidays are right around the corner, and for travelers hoping to book a vacation home, the time to start planning is now.

Specifically, when it comes to private vacation rentals, they tend to book up faster than other types of accommodations, according to data from Vrbo that was shared with Travel + Leisure. And while this year’s recommended book-by dates are about a week later than last year, the deadlines for getting the best rentals are fast approaching. 

"If you’re looking to book a private vacation rental for summer or another major travel holiday this year, make sure you do so by Vrbo’s book-by dates or you could be risking your trip,” Melanie Fish, a Vrbo travel expert, told T+L, adding travelers can save even more if they use Expedia Group’s One Key loyalty program.

Travelers who want to book a home for the Memorial Day holiday weekend should book by April 15, according to Vrbo. Memorial day is on May 27 this year.

Travelers hoping to score a great rental home for the Fourth of July should book by May 17, and travelers hoping to spend Labor Day weekend in a home away from home should book no later than July 22. 

These recommended dates are especially true for travelers who are looking to escape to some of Vrbo’s most popular summer beach destinations, like the Outer Banks in North Carolina, or Cape May and Ocean City in New Jersey.

The advice to book early comes as summer airfare prices are expected to peak at the end of May and in early June, according to a recent report from booking site Hopper. Domestic flights are expected to hit about $315 roundtrip for summer travel.

When it comes to Vrbo’s most popular vacation rentals, travelers are looking for unique spaces offering really cool experiences, like a home with an onsite vineyard in California, a home with a pool overlooking the red rocks in Arizona, and more.