The summer airfare numbers are in, and they did not survive the Strait of Hormuz. International round-trip fares average $1,162, up 7.5% year-on-year and 42% since the war began on February 23. [1] Domestic round-trip is $361, up 19% year-on-year. [1] Lufthansa cut 20,000 flights for the season; Spirit ceased operations entirely. [2]

The cheapest fix is to stop fighting the calendar. August is the cheapest summer month — coach fares about 14% below July domestic, 13% below July international. [2] The midweek shift saves another 10–15%; a Tuesday flight beats a Friday flight by the cost of a hotel night.

The harder shift is the destination. Most of what an American family wants from a European summer — long days, water, a meal worth driving to — is available within the country at a fraction of the airfare.

National parks. Glacier in Montana, Acadia in Maine, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon all have lodging and campsite availability in mid-August on the National Park Service site this Sunday morning. The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers a family of four for a year.

Regional rail. Amtrak's Cardinal, Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight roomettes are running 30–40% below year-ago prices into July; the route is the trip.

The drive vacation. A 600-mile radius from the average American household reaches three national forests, two Great Lakes, and one ocean. The minivan is paid for; the gasoline is the only inflation that has eased this year.

The fall shoulder. September's foreign fare averages 25% below August's. [1] If the trip can wait six weeks, it should.

The $1,162 number is the war premium. The $361 number is the alternative.

-- NORA WHITFIELD, Chicago