A report on summer travel trends has been released by Tongcheng Travel (00780), highlighting a stable yet growing market with structural improvements. The report, focusing on the 2026 summer travel period, indicates a slight increase in average airfare prices for both domestic and international flights, driven by factors such as rising fuel surcharges and concentrated demand release.
The core traveler groups remain families with children and students, with residents from third- and fourth-tier cities continuing to show strong travel demand. The destination landscape is becoming more diverse, with increased popularity for niche aviation destinations and cross-border transit travel.
Rail Travel: A Mainstream and Emerging Tourist Choice
Rail is expected to be the dominant mode of transport during the summer peak. Major arrival cities by rail are projected to include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Changsha. These first-tier and regional hub cities are not only popular departure points but also sought-after summer tourism destinations.
Departing passenger flows by rail are predicted to be concentrated in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Xi'an, and Nanjing. Key travel needs include university students commuting to and from their hometowns and family summer vacations.
Trains are not just for transport; they have become a popular tourism method. Special tourist trains are a hot choice for family trips this summer. Bookings for these trains on the Tongcheng platform have surged over 70% compared to the same period last year.
These trains, which combine transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, and leisure, cater well to families and older tourists who prefer a slower-paced, immersive travel experience. Popular long-haul routes include those connecting Turpan, Hami, Ili, Altay, and Kashgar in Xinjiang, covering famous scenic spots like Kanas Lake and the Ancient City of Kashgar. Additionally, trains themed around escaping the heat, passing through destinations like Harbin, the Greater Khingan Range, Hulunbuir, and Changbai Mountain, have emerged as new popular choices.
Steady Growth in Air Travel with Modest Fare Increases
The data shows that the average price for a domestic flight ticket during the 2026 summer period is approximately 925 yuan (including fees), a year-on-year increase of about 4%. The average international ticket price is 1,372 yuan (including taxes), up roughly 11% year-on-year.
The modest fare increases are attributed to multiple factors, including concentrated summer travel demand, fuel price volatility, and supply-demand dynamics on popular routes. With jet fuel prices trending downward, average airfares during the period are expected to gradually decline.
The booking window for summer flights entered its peak in late June. Routes for the first family travel peak in early July are seeing active bookings, while flight reservations for the peak travel period from late July to mid-August are also rising noticeably.
First-Tier and New First-Tier Cities Lead Air Travel, Strong Outbound Demand from Non-Metros
Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou are identified as core source markets for domestic flights this summer, followed by Kunming, Shenzhen, Urumqi, Chongqing, Harbin, and Shenyang. For international outbound flights, the top departure cities are Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou.
Overall, air travel demand is concentrated in first-tier, new first-tier, and regional hub cities, placing them at the forefront nationally. Notably, several third- and fourth-tier cities are showing robust growth in air travel demand this summer.
Specifically, Qinhuangdao, Yueyang, Jiamusi, Tacheng, and Luoyang are among the top cities for growth in domestic flight bookings. For international outbound flights, cities like Luoyang, Baotou, Yangzhou, Yancheng, and Fuyang have seen significant increases in booking heat, indicating strong summer outbound travel demand from non-first-tier cities.
An official from Tongcheng Travel stated that the continuous improvement of the aviation network, increased flight routes at airports in smaller cities, and rising disposable incomes are making travel demand from third- and fourth-tier cities a key driver of market growth, particularly for family trips and student graduation travel.
Chengdu Tops Air Travel Destinations, Popularity Surges in Tibet and Xinjiang
Popular summer getaway and family destinations are also top choices for air travel. The report lists Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Urumqi, Chongqing, Harbin, and Shenyang as the top ten destinations for summer air travel. Among these, Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou serve as both popular tourist spots and major hub cities, with significant departing and transit passenger flows.
Summer is also peak season for outbound travel. As of June 26th, popular international destinations from major Chinese cities include Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jeju Island, Bali, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, and London.
Beyond traditional hotspots, destinations with unique natural landscapes and cultural attractions are experiencing strong growth, becoming popular for niche and in-depth travel. Data shows that as of June 26th, destinations like Ngari in Tibet, Qinhuangdao in Hebei, Tacheng in Xinjiang, Longnan in Gansu, Datong in Shanxi, the Altay region in Xinjiang, Wuhu in Anhui, Jiamusi in Heilongjiang, Yueyang in Hunan, and Pu'er in Yunnan lead in growth for inbound flight bookings.
In the top 10 list for growth in outbound destination popularity, niche locations like Manado, Kazan, Cheongju, Daegu, and Chiang Mai have seen substantial year-on-year increases. Compared to traditional tourist cities, these destinations attract more outbound travelers with lower costs and more unique experiences.
Rising Demand for Transit Travel with Beijing Leading Domestic Hubs
During the 2026 summer period, demand for air transit continues to grow, especially for domestic trunk-feeder connections and international cross-border transfers. In the top 10 list for domestic transit hubs, Beijing, Chengdu, Urumqi, Xi'an, and Guangzhou's major hub airports lead, with Wuhan, Chongqing, Lanzhou, Jinan, and Qingdao also making the list. These cities serve as core transit nodes due to their extensive route networks and convenient transfer services.
For international cross-border transit, the four major international aviation hubs—Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong (China), and Beijing—occupy the top four spots. Non-first-tier hub cities like Xiamen, Kunming, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Qingdao, and Haikou are also popular for cross-border transfers.
The Tongcheng official noted that with the continuous expansion of international routes and optimization of transfer services, cross-border transit is becoming a preferred choice for more travelers, especially those heading to Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. Transferring through domestic hub airports offers richer route options and more cost-effective travel plans. Tongcheng Travel plans to collaborate closely with hub airports to launch more transit routes to meet diverse travel needs.
Families and Students Remain Core Travelers, Students Drive International Growth
Data confirms that families with children and students are the absolute core groups for summer travel in 2026. Among domestic flight passengers, families account for about 38% and students for about 29%, together making up over 60% of the core domestic summer travel market.
For international flights, students constitute 37% of passengers, making them the primary group, while families account for about 23%, also a significant segment. The report analysis suggests that summer is a golden window for student travel, with concentrated demand for graduation trips, study tours, and overseas study programs driving up their proportion, especially in international travel where they are now the largest passenger group.
Family travel remains the foundation of the domestic summer market. Additionally, senior travelers maintain a stable share, accounting for about 16% of domestic flights and 13% of international flights.
Catering to the student demographic, Tongcheng Travel has launched a graduation season flight promotion, offering benefits like group purchase vouchers, flight passes, student-exclusive perks, and mystery flight boxes. The platform has also integrated resources for ride-hailing, car rentals, and airport transfers to cover the "last mile" from airport to hotel, providing exclusive offers for students returning home or traveling.
Furthermore, offline activities for graduates to claim benefits are being held at airports in cities like Guangzhou and Beijing, where students can participate with a Tongcheng Travel booking.
The official concluded that the diversification of the 2026 summer travel market is becoming more pronounced, with traveler demand shifting from traditional sightseeing to in-depth experiential and leisure vacations. The popularity of niche destinations, personalized travel, and transit options continues to rise. Tongcheng Travel will keep optimizing its summer travel products and services, offering more diverse options for different groups like families, students, and seniors, and collaborate with airlines, hub airports, and cultural tourism agencies to provide more exclusive summer promotions, delivering a more convenient, comfortable, and cost-effective travel experience.
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