Total eclipse of the wallet: Prices to witness solar eclipse soar, hotels charge 10 times regular rates
The cost to witness the total solar eclipse in the US is skyrocketing, with hotels charging exorbitant prices.
Total Eclipse Prices
The upcoming total solar eclipse in the US on April 8 is attracting a lot of attention, but it comes at a hefty price. The cost to witness the eclipse is already soaring, with hotels charging up to 10 times their regular rates.
The path of totality, where the sun will disappear completely, stretches from Mexico’s Pacific coast through various states in the US and ends in Canada’s maritime provinces. This zone is seeing an increase in hotel prices as people flock to the best viewing spots.
While the entire eclipse cycle lasts two and a half hours, the totality phase, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, only lasts around four minutes. Despite the short duration, people are willing to pay a premium to experience this rare phenomenon.
Exorbitant Hotel Pricing
Hotels along the path of totality are taking full advantage of the high demand for accommodations during the eclipse. For example, in Killeen, Texas, the Fairfield Inn by Marriott is offering rooms for $809 on April 8, which is significantly higher than its normal rate.
Other cities along the path, such as Terre Haute, Indiana, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, are also charging astronomical fees for eclipse watchers. The Holiday Inn Express in Terre Haute, usually priced at $135 a night, is booked out on Sunday night before the eclipse and charges $459 for those who stay to party.
In Burlington, Vermont, the South Side Inn is usually priced at around $120 per night. However, during the days surrounding the eclipse, the rates skyrocket to $1,585 per night. These exorbitant prices have caused guests to come up with creative excuses to secure standard rates.
Air Travel Prices
In addition to the high hotel prices, airfares are also on the rise. Flights from New York to Cleveland for a one-night chance to see the eclipse cost $946 on United Airlines. The same flights the following week are priced at $520, showing the spike in demand for eclipse viewing.
Delta Airlines is also capitalizing on the eclipse frenzy, charging $749 for a flight from Austin, Texas, to Detroit, Michigan. The flights are designed for in-air viewing of the eclipse, but the airline assumes no responsibility for weather delays or other factors that may affect visibility.
Eclipse enthusiasts who can afford it are turning to private jets to ensure they don't miss out. Private aviation companies, such as Cirrus Aviation Services, are organizing eclipse-chasing trips, allowing customers to watch the eclipse from various locations and fly back home immediately afterward.
