196块飞首尔？被国庆万元机票吓傻的打工人，去大同「中转」了

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising prices of air tickets during the National Day holiday in China, highlighting the struggles of workers trying to find affordable travel options amidst soaring costs and limited availability [6][7][19]. Group 1: Air Ticket Prices and Trends - The price of pre-sale tickets for the National Day holiday has increased by 9.1% compared to 2024 [7]. - Many popular domestic flights are sold out or only available at full price, leading to frustration among travelers [15][18]. - The demand for cross-province travel orders has increased by 45% year-on-year, and the search for outbound hotel bookings has risen by 40% [14]. Group 2: Alternative Travel Strategies - Due to high ticket prices, workers are resorting to "transfer travel," where they take indirect routes to their destinations, often involving layovers in less popular cities [10][26]. - New terms like "double stick tickets" and "boomerang tickets" have emerged, allowing travelers to creatively navigate high costs by using layovers as additional travel opportunities [81][85]. - The article notes that changing travel dates or extending vacations around holidays can significantly reduce costs, with some flights being nearly half the price if booked outside peak times [21][22]. Group 3: The Rise of Datong as a Travel Hub - Datong has emerged as a new low-cost international travel hub, offering direct flights to destinations like Seoul, Ulaanbaatar, and Bangkok at competitive prices [36][76]. - The local government has provided financial subsidies to airlines to encourage the establishment of these routes, making Datong an attractive option for budget travelers [76][77]. - The article emphasizes that while Datong's international flight options are limited, they are gradually increasing, making it a viable alternative for travelers from northern China [34][37].