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].

Core Insights - The article discusses the rising prices of domestic and international flights during the National Day holiday, with pre-sale ticket prices for this year's holiday increasing by 9.1% compared to 2024 [1] - Many workers are resorting to creative travel strategies, such as "transfer travel" and "boomerang tickets," to cope with high airfare costs [2][9] Group 1: Flight Pricing Trends - Last year's low prices for holiday flights led many to wait for better deals, but this year, international tickets have tripled in price compared to a month ago [1] - Domestic popular routes are sold out or only available at full price, with significant increases in cross-province travel orders and outbound hotel searches [4][9] - The demand for flights has surged, with data showing a 45% increase in cross-province travel orders and a 40% increase in outbound hotel search popularity during the holiday [4] Group 2: Alternative Travel Strategies - Workers are adopting "transfer travel," which involves stopping in a different city to save on costs, despite the inconvenience it may cause [2][9] - New terms like "double stick tickets" and "boomerang tickets" have emerged, allowing travelers to explore additional cities while saving money [27][29] - The article highlights the emergence of Datong as a new hub for affordable international flights, with routes to Seoul, Ulaanbaatar, Bangkok, and Moscow being introduced [11][24] Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - While Datong offers low-cost international flights, travelers face challenges such as limited flight availability and potential cancellations due to low demand [14][15] - The article notes that many of these low-cost flights are often tied to travel agency packages, which can lead to complications if the group size is insufficient [25] - Travelers are warned about the potential downsides of budget flights, including inconvenient flight times and limited baggage allowances [14][19]

Group 1 - The summer travel season has begun following the end of the national college entrance examination, with a peak in ticket bookings starting from June 17 [1] - The first wave of travel peaks is expected in early July, primarily driven by student travelers, with three main peaks anticipated during the summer travel period [2] - Domestic popular destinations for air travel include Beijing, Chengdu, and Kunming, while high-demand train routes include Shanghai-Beijing and Guangzhou-Changsha [2] Group 2 - The demand for family travel remains the largest segment, with approximately 35% of domestic air travel during the summer attributed to family trips [2] - Regions with average temperatures below 25 degrees Celsius, such as Northwest China and Yunnan, are becoming popular for summer vacations, leading to increased hotel bookings [2][3] - New flight routes and adjusted train schedules are helping to stabilize travel prices during the summer season [4] Group 3 - The trend of "long layover" tickets is gaining popularity, allowing travelers to save money while exploring additional destinations [5][6] - The average price of international tickets has decreased by 15% compared to the previous year, stimulating demand for outbound travel [6][7] - Outbound travel with layover tickets is becoming more advantageous, with some tickets being up to 40% cheaper than direct flights [7]