25 Cheapest Cities for Summer Air Travel

Summer is nearly here, and for many, that means it’s time to start finalizing vacation plans. For many, the consideration, however, isn’t where do I want to go, but where is the cheapest place to go. The good news is that summer air travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune, especially if you’re willing to fly within the United States. In fact, according to travel search site Skyscanner, there are many popular national and international destinations where the average round-trip ticket price dips this summer, in some cases by as much as 28% versus their average yearly price. Skyscanner’s list also highlights a shift that appears to be taking place among travelers, away from tried-and-true destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and San Diego. Instead, travelers are looking to less well-known options. Here are this summer’s cheapest U.S. destinations, based on Skyscanner’s analysis of flight booking data. All prices are for one roundtrip economy ticket.

Related: Best Sites for Cheap Travel and Vacation Planning

Fare Tactics

Before we get into our 25 destinations, a word on finding cheap flights and flight deals to places that are not on this list. There are a number of things a traveler can do to hack the system to find flight deals to their destination of choice. These include:

Timing: Spend any amount of time researching flight prices, and you’ll find there are cheapest days and a cheapest time to fly. Skyscanner’s data shows that January, February, and September are likely the cheapest months. The site also reports that Tuesdays tend to be one of the cheapest days to fly. The cheapest time to fly tends to be very early morning or red-eye flights. Note that red-eye flights can also help save on accommodation, transportation, and other expenses. 

Nonstop flights: These flights are, simply, more expensive. If you’re looking to save money, be willing to endure a layover and don’t choose a nonstop flight. 

Departure airports: Note that flight prices can change depending on the departure airport you choose. If you live in a city with multiple departure airports nearby, check them all. The cheapest airfare might be slightly more inconvenient, but also could be worth it. 

Airlines: While it’s worth searching around, keep in mind that certain options, like Spirit Airlines, are considered “budget” and are going to be generally less expensive than alternatives such as United Airlines or American Airlines. However, keep in mind you’ll also forgo things like more comfortable seating, AC power, and airline mile accumulation on budget airlines. 

Punta Gorda, Florida

Average round trip: $189.13 Price Decrease: -18% This summer’s cheapest United States destination, Punta Gorda is known for its restored historic district and a variety of outdoor offerings including its Harborwalk and also Fishermen’s Village on Charlotte Harbor. Located along Florida’s south-central Gulf Coast, visitors enjoy taking in streets lined by giant palms and tin roof homes that represent a bygone era in Florida. Don’t miss the A.C. Freeman House Museum, an authentically restored and furnished late Victorian-era home. More good news? Other desirable Florida travel destinations, such as Fort Lauderdale and Walt Disney World in Orlando, are less than three hours away by car.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Average round trip: $190 Price Decrease: -7% A city that topped last year’s Skyscanner flight deals list, airline tickets to Myrtle Beach are even cheaper this year at an average of $190. As for what to see and do when visiting, Myrtle Beach is a playground for young and old, offering a ton of beach resort activities. The city is as famous for celebrity-designed golf courses as for its classic boardwalk lined with arcades, souvenir shops, and rides, including one of the country’s tallest Ferris wheels. If you were California dreamin’ of a trip to San Diego or another West Coast beach town but have noticed that it’s not on this list, Myrtle Beach — or the two other South Carolina beach destinations on this list — offer a great alternative. Related: 40 Best Boardwalks in the Country

Worcester, Massachusetts

Average round trip: $220 Price Decrease: -15%

While most travelers opt for the big city of Boston when visiting Massachusetts, centrally located Worcester is also beginning to attract its fair share of visitors, and is the cheapest place to fly in the Bay State. Among the top attractions is the city’s EcoTarium, a science and nature museum that also includes a digital planetarium and a narrow-gauge railway. The Worcester Art Museum meanwhile features everything from Roman mosaics to Impressionist paintings. And, if you’ve got a hankering for a more urban experience, Boston is just one hour and New York City just three hours away by car. 

Kapalua, Hawaii

Average round trip: $235.56 Price Decrease: -6% If Hawaii is on your bucket list and you don’t mind a longer flight off the continental United States, there’s no time like the present. Skyscanner’s data reveals that prices to Kapalua (Maui) are down about 6% this summer. An area renowned for its breathtaking beauty, Kapalua showcases many of Hawaii’s famous charms including stunning beaches and plenty of highly rated beach resort accommodations, snorkeling, hiking, and world-class golf. Related: 20 Tips for Visiting Hawaii on a Budget

New Orleans

Average round trip: $253.57 Price Decrease: -7% This popular destination was not among last year’s crop of budget summer flight options. While the temperature in New Orleans between June and August can be sweltering (hovering between about 89 and more than 90 degrees on a typical day), if you can stand the New Orleans heat, it may be the perfect place for a cheap summer vacation. Related: 26 Best Cheap Or Free Things To Do In New Orleans

Austin, Texas

Average round trip: $273.20 Price Decrease: -7% The Texas state capital has long been a vibrant and engaging destination, thanks in large part to being home to the University of Texas’ flagship campus. Visitors particularly enjoy the city’s legendary live music scene offering everything from country to blues and rock. The city is also a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its hiking trails, swimming holes, and farmers markets.

Savannah, Georgia

Average round trip: $275.65 Price Decrease: -10% A coastal Georgia charmer, Savannah is famed for its manicured parks, oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and antebellum architecture. The city’s fascinating historic district meanwhile is filled with cobblestoned squares (Don’t miss Forsyth Park, which dates back to the 1840s and occupies 30 acres.) The city has also grown to be a hotspot for shopaholics.

Jacksonville, Florida

Average round trip: $292.91 Price Decrease: -6% With prices dropping 6% this summer, Jacksonville is another notable Florida getaway option. Home to the largest urban park system and the most shoreline of any Florida city, it offers something for everyone. Don’t miss the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens with its fine art and European-inspired gardens along the St. Johns River. The property was once the home of art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer.

San Antonio, Texas

Average round trip: $296.70 Price Decrease: -9% Most famous for being home to the Alamo, this south-central Texas city offers rich history, an array of cultural offerings, and family entertainment such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. Additional options include the San Antonio Botanical Garden and the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Hartford, Connecticut

Average round trip: $299.43 Price Decrease: -4% Calling all budding writers and literature fans. Connecticut’s capital is famously the location of the Mark Twain House & Museum, which houses thousands of artifacts. Additional notable attractions include the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (which includes her Victorian house) and the impressive Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, where everything from Renaissance to Impressionist works are displayed.

Charleston, South Carolina

Average round trip: $308.64 Price Decrease: -5% A charming southern belle of a city, Charleston dates back to 1670 and is legendary for its French Quarter with its pastel-colored antebellum homes. Yet history is just a small fraction of what this destination has to offer. Don’t miss kayaking alongside dolphins at Shem Creek, biking the Charleston Battery, or exploring one of Charleston’s beach communities. Related: 19 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Charleston

Valparaiso, Florida

Average round trip: $311.42 Price Decrease: -7% The Valparaiso airport serves the popular Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island area, otherwise known as the Emerald Coast. All three are popular destinations featuring white sand beaches and emerald green water (thus the region’s name). Think of this area as a Fort Lauderdale alternative that saves you a couple hours of flight time. The area is also known for its Gulf-to-table cuisine. Okaloosa Island, a narrow 3-mile strip of land between Fort Walton Beach and Destin, is home to many species of wildlife and a portion of the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Don’t miss the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, where there’s a pier, picnic areas, restaurants and shops.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Average round trip: $362.57 Price Decrease: -5% If the Midwest is on your bucket list, Tulsa offers another notable option. The city boasts admirable museums, a world-class ballet and opera, and a variety of public golf courses. The city’s summer festival lineup includes Tokyo in Tulsa (July 12-14) and POSTOAK Wine & Jazz Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 2). As an added bonus, Tulsa is a destination where you won’t find long lines or the sky-high prices often associated with big city getaways.

Gainesville, Florida

Average round trip: $370.36 Price Decrease: -7% A northern Florida city, Gainesville offers a mix of outdoor adventure and culture. Biking, birding, fishing, kayaking, and hiking are just some of the choices. Cultural options include theatre, music, and museums. The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention offers interactive activities in its Creativity and Fab Labs as well as hands-on learning. The Florida Museum of Natural History, with its eight permanent exhibits including the “Butterfly Rainforest,” is another notable stop.

Related: The Cheapest Time to Fly to Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Many other U.S. Cities

Roanoke, Virginia

Average round trip: $390.42 Price Decrease: -8% Known as the United States’ east coast mountain biking capital, Roanoke also serves a convenient base to explore the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or to discover wildlife while kayaking on the Upper James River Water Trail. The city is also developing a vibrant craft beverage scene thanks to an impressive array of locally produced beer, wine, and spirits.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Average round trip: $392.49 Price Decrease: -5% A picturesque beach destination, Hilton Head Island is part of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. It’s a destination that offers 12 miles of beaches, two dozen golf courses, and horseback riding through forest preserves. The Coastal Discovery Museum showcases natural history and cultural heritage on 68 acres, including trails, gardens, and a butterfly enclosure.

Waco, Texas

Average round trip: $403.56 Price Decrease: -7% A sleepy town made over-the-top famous by the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” and the now legendary house flippers Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco is morphing into a tourist hotspot. The community has grown to include all manner of charming new boutiques and restaurants. Some of the quirkier attractions include The Dr Pepper Museum (yes, dedicated to the soft drink) and the Waco Mammoth National Monument, where you guessed it, mammoth fossils were discovered.

Watertown, New York

Average round trip: $409.75 Price Decrease: -4% More than 300 miles northwest of New York City, Watertown is a community of stately mansions and features a historic downtown. Don’t miss learning about Watertown’s unique history at the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum, which is in a 19th century mansion. The area is also popular for whitewater rafting on the Black River.

College Station, Texas

Average round trip: $415.92 Price Decrease: -10% Another Texas city making an appearance on the Skyscanner list, College Station is located in the eastern part of the state. Perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that the city is home to Texas A&M University. The main campus also happens to be the location of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which showcases the life of the country’s 41st leader including a replica of the Oval Office and a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Champaign, Illinois

Average round trip: $420.12 Price Decrease: -6% This central Illinois city is home to the University of Illinois. Among the most notable attractions in Champaign is the 48,000 square foot Krannert Art Museum, which showcases a massive collection of ancient and modern works from across the globe. The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, meanwhile, features interactive science and art exhibits for children of all ages. If you’re flying into Illinois internationally, however, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is likely to be your best bet — it was recently named one of the “Top 10 U.S. airports with cheap international flights.”

St. Croix Island, U.S. Virgin Islands

Average round trip: $424.66 Price Decrease: -4% RWhite sand beaches anyone? If Caribbean island hopping has been on your to-do list, this summer presents a good opportunity to score a slight deal visiting St. Croix. The island, 22 miles long and 8 miles wide, features everything from a tropical rainforest (in Frederiksted) to unique diving opportunities. Related: These Island Vacations Don’t Require a Passport

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Average round trip: $432.28 Price Decrease: -5% Another compelling Caribbean island option to consider this summer, St. Thomas is 32 square miles and offers a much more cosmopolitan getaway compared to St. Croix’s small-town charm. The dizzying list of activities and options includes shopping, snorkeling, sailing, diving, nightlife, and golfing.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Average round trip: $435.65 Price Decrease: -6% On a backpacker budget? A picturesque region, Grand Junction is all about the outdoor adventures, and the cheapest place to fly in Colorado, not to mention within reasonable driving distance of a number of the United States’ national parks. And, from the awe-inspiring red rocks of Colorado National Monument to hundreds of miles of mountain biking (including along the 142-mile Kokopelli Trail) and hiking, camping, Grand Junction offers plenty of summer fun. The city also happens to be the heart of Colorado’s wine country.

Kauai Island, Hawaii

Average round trip: $453.56 Price Decrease: -5% The fact that Kauai is known as the “Garden Island” makes it sound appealing enough. And as an added bonus, the price to fly here is dropping this summer, according to Skyscanner. The fourth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is known for its emerald valleys, mountains, tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and awe-inspiring jagged cliffs. Are your bags packed yet?

Ketchikan, Alaska

Average round trip: $463.70 Price Decrease: -18% One last destination to consider this summer, Ketchikan is perched at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. It’s also a convenient base to explore Misty Fiords National Monument, a wilderness etched by glaciers and home to black bears, wolves and bald eagles. And avid fishermen everywhere take note, Ketchikan is known as the Salmon capital of the world. If all of that is not enough reason to visit, Ketchikan is a photographer’s dream and a place rich in native culture.