Cheap Flights to Cancun in 2025: My Secret Tips & Hacks

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I’ve been traveling the world 3–6 months each year as a travel blogger for the past 8 years, and Cancun is one spot I keep coming back to (five times and counting). Flights there don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, using the tips I’m sharing here, I consistently save around $10,000 per year on airfare alone. My cheapest was $127 roundtrip from Boston last year…I booked it thinking it was a mistake fare, but it was real.

Here’s exactly how I’ve been scoring $150 roundtrip flights to Cancun for the past few years. I’ll cover the best months to book, which airports to fly from, and hidden deal sites most travelers miss. Stop paying $600+ for flights when you could be spending that money on margaritas instead.

What you need to know about flying to Cancun in 2025–2026

After flying to Cancun five times now, I’ve noticed some big shifts that every American traveler should know. First off, Cancun is still the most connected destination in Mexico, with more direct flights than ever…especially from Delta, United, and Southwest. That said, I’ve seen prices fluctuate more in 2025, and airlines are sneaking in fees or cutting routes back to the U.S., so locking in the right deal is key.

Another huge tip: if flights to Cancun are pricey, look at Cozumel instead. I saved over $200 roundtrip flying into CZM, then took the ferry to Playa del Carmen and a quick bus to Cancun. Super easy and scenic. Also, don’t skip the airline miles programs. I’ve flown using points three times, including a 25k mile roundtrip I snagged through American AAdvantage. As for when to book? The sweet spot has consistently been 3–6 months out, and I always avoid Sundays when flying home. Midweek flights are cheaper 90% of the time.

One more thing I’ve started doing this year: using the Capital One Travel portal’s price drop protection. It’s refunded me $180 across two Cancun trips already…totally automatic. All in all, if you stay flexible with airports and timing, Cancun is still one of the easiest (and most rewarding) beach getaways for U.S. travelers.

1. Sign Up for Going Premium (I’ve saved over $10k on flights)

For the past 5 years, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) has been my go-to for scoring insane flight deals…often saving me thousands and hours of searching.

Here’s the deal: Going is a flight deal alert service that tracks fares from nearly 200 US airports. Sign up, pick your home airport, and get emails or app alerts when a cheap flight pops up…including rare mistake fares and points deals you won’t find on Google Flights or Skyscanner.

There are three tiers:

• Limited (Free): Decent for domestic deals.
• Premium ($49/year): Ideal for international flights like Cancun. One deal easily covers the cost.
• Elite ($199/year): My go-to for business class. I saved $2.5K on just one flight last year.

There are three membership levels: Limited, Premium, and Elite. The free version (limited) is decent for finding deals within the continental US. If you’re planning a trip to Cancun (especially in biz class), Going is a no-brainer. Try the free version first…then upgrade with my code JON25 for 25% off.

Don’t waste time hunting deals. Let them come to you. 👉 Sign up for Going here and start saving.

2. Fly with the Right Airline to Save Big

I used to think $500 was a good deal for Cancun flights…turns out I was wrong. One strategy that has served me well over the years is choosing the right airline. If you know where to look, you can save $200+ roundtrip by avoiding the mainstream carriers. Sure, you can fly with an airline like Spirit, but these tips will focus on other best airlines to Cancun you should know about.

• Volaris: This budget-friendly Mexican airline frequently offers great deals on flights to Cancun. They’re particularly good if you’re flying from major US cities like Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Sure, you’ll pay for your carry-on, but when tickets are $100 cheaper, I’ll gladly drag my own bag.

• Southwest Airlines: Southwest offers affordable flights from various US cities to Cancun. It also has a generous baggage policy, allowing two free checked bags per passenger. This can save you a lot if you’re planning a longer trip. I recently found a $249 one-way deal from BWI to Cancun in December 2025.
• Mix and Match: For a mix-and-match strategy, consider flying a budget airline to a major hub like Miami or Houston, then catching a connecting flight to Cancun. This approach can often save you significant money compared to booking a single direct flight. For example, you might find a cheap Spirit Airlines flight to Chicago and then a low-cost Volaris flight to Cancun.

3. Book Flights from Cheaper Departure Airports

The airport you fly from makes a huge difference…I’m talking hundreds of dollars. Here’s how choosing specific airports can lead to some serious savings:

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): As a hub for budget airlines like Spirit and JetBlue, FLL often offers some of the most competitive fares to Cancun. Travelers can often find round-trip tickets for as low as $200-300, especially during sales. I’ve grabbed these $200 deals twice, though you need to be flexible with dates and willing to fly at 6 AM.
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): This is another major hub with frequent deals to Cancun. Both United Airlines and Southwest operate numerous flights from here, and you can often snag tickets for under $400 roundtrip.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): With a high volume of flights to Cancun, LAX is a great option for finding deals. Airlines like Delta, American, and Volaris regularly offer promotions, making it possible to find round-trip fares around $300-400.
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Chicago is another excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers. Both United and American Airlines frequently offer competitive prices. You can often find round-trip flights ranging from $350 to $450.

Other airports with cheap flight deals are found in this guide. These airports have consistently given me the cheapest fares over five trips. Again, Going.com makes it easy to set up departure airports, so I recommend signing up to simplify the process.

4. Sign Up for Airline Miles Programs

Here’s which airline programs actually pay off for Mexico flights:

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the best programs for flights to Cancun. With numerous flights from major US cities, you can often find award tickets for as low as 12,500 miles one-way. I redeemed 25,000 miles for a roundtrip last March that would have cost $680 in cash… felt like winning the lottery.

I recommend signing up for an AAdvantage credit card with Citi to earn 70,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases the first 3 months. Their credit card offers generous sign-up bonuses that can quickly add up to free flights.

Delta SkyMiles

Delta’s SkyMiles program is flexible with no blackout dates and miles that never expire. Hubs like Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles give you solid options for flights to Cancun. SkyMiles members enjoy priority boarding and seat selection.

I recommend signing up for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card to take advantage of its benefits and sign-up bonus. The current offer is 80,000 bonus miles after $3k in purchases within the first 6 months. This equates to roughly 3 free flights to Cancun from many US airports. I earned this bonus on my regular spending and turned it into a week in Mexico…not bad for buying groceries and gas.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus is great for those who fly frequently with United and its Star Alliance partners. With hubs in Chicago, Houston, and Newark, you’re well-covered for Cancun routes. Benefits include priority boarding and access to Economy Plus seats.

I’ve used all three programs for Cancun flights…here’s what actually works: Signing up for these programs is free, and the miles can accumulate quickly through flights, credit card bonuses, and shopping portals. Again- I highly recommend signing up for Going Premium to see each airline’s Miles and Points deals.

5. Book Your Flight to Cancun During Off-Peak Times

Timing is key when it comes to finding cheap flights to Cancun. Booking during off-peak times can save you a ton of money and help you escape the crowds.

Cancun’s peak tourist season is from December to April, coinciding with winter holidays and spring break. While the weather is perfect during this time, it’s also the most expensive period to fly.

To find the cheapest flights to Cancun, aim for the shoulder seasons – late April to early June and late August to mid-October. During these months, you can also find some great deals on accommodations.

For Cancun specifically, traveling in the off-season, such as September or early December, can yield even better deals. Just be aware that hurricane season is from June to November, so if you’re willing to take the risk, major savings can be achieved. Sure, it might be a bit rainier in Cancun during this time, but its beauty shines year-round, and you’ll enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. I flew there in early October once and had perfect weather, but I spent the week before watching hurricane forecasts like a meteorologist.

When it comes to booking your tickets, aim to book about 3-6 months in advance. Airlines often release their cheapest seats around this time, and you can catch sales and promotions. Booking mid-week flights (like Tuesday or Wednesday) can also help you snag lower fares. Avoid booking on weekends when most people are searching for flights. I learned this the hard way after seeing a Tuesday flight for $100 less than what I booked on Sunday night.

6. Fly Into Cozumel Instead of Cancun

Having trouble finding cheap flights to Cancun? I recommend focusing your search on Cozumel instead. I did this a couple of years ago and I saved over $200 roundtrip. Plus, the ferry ride from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen is gorgeous…way better than sitting in Cancun airport traffic.

Here’s how to do this: Once you fly into Cozumel International Airport (CZM), take a ferry to Playa del Carmen (about 45 minutes). There are two main ferry operators, Ultramar and Winjet. Then, take a bus to Cancun with ADO (another 1 hour). The total commute from Cozumel to Cancun should take under 2 hours and cost between $20-$30. Alternatively, you can pay extra for a taxi, but that would likely offset much of the savings from the discounted flight.

If you decide to fly into Cozumel, consider spending a night or two in Cozumel for a different beach experience. Cozumel is famous for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs.

• Read my guide: The Cheapest Airports to Fly Into Mexico

7. Bundle Flights + Hotels for Big Discounts

One of the easiest ways I’ve saved money on Cancun trips? Booking my flight and hotel as a package. I once saved over $400 bundling through Expedia. Same flight, same resort I was already planning to book, but the total price dropped just by clicking that “Add Hotel” button. Wild.

Here’s the key: sites like Expedia, Capital One Travel, and Amex Travel often negotiate lower rates for bundles because it locks in both legs of your trip. If you have the Amex Platinum, check the Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection options…sometimes you’ll get perks like late checkout, room upgrades, or $100 credits on top of a discounted bundle. I’ve used this twice for Mexico and got upgrades both times.

Pro tip: stack these bundles with Rakuten or BeFrugal browser extensions. I’ve earned anywhere from $30 to $80 in cashback just for clicking through before checkout. If you’re using a travel rewards credit card too (which you should), the savings add up fast. I usually run the numbers separately first…flight solo, hotel solo. Then, test the same combo as a bundle. 7 times out of 10, the bundle wins.

• Read also: My Favorite Travel Package Sites in 2025

8. New Trick: Fly into Tulum or Merida

One trick I’ve started leaning into lately is flying around Cancun instead of directly into it…especially when fares are high. Tulum’s brand-new international airport (TUY) just opened and it’s already seeing direct flights from U.S. hubs like Miami, Dallas, and Houston. I haven’t flown into TUY yet, but several friends have. And every one of them said the smaller crowds and quick customs process made it worth the extra leg.

From the Tulum airport, you can get to Cancun in about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and how you transfer. Rental cars are easy to grab right at the terminal, or you can pre-book a shuttle or driver (which I always recommend to lock in fair pricing). Bonus: if you have time, you can also explore Tulum’s beaches or cenotes before heading north. That detour alone makes it feel like two trips in one.

Another great alternate route is flying into Mérida (MID). I did this once on a whim, and it turned out to be one of my favorite Mexico travel days. I rented a car for about $30/day and made the 3.5-hour drive through the Yucatán to Cancun, stopping in tiny villages and grabbing tacos from roadside stands that beat anything I’ve had at a resort. Mérida often has cheaper flights and a chill vibe that makes it worth staying a night or two if you’re not in a rush.

If flights to Cancun are looking pricey or overbooked, definitely give Tulum and Mérida a look. It’s a smart way to save…and honestly, it turns your vacation into more of an adventure.

Other tips to save money on flights to Cancun

These are a few lesser-known tricks that have helped me save hundreds over the years. If you’re looking to maximize every dollar, these will give you the edge:

Use Capital One Travel’s Price Drop Protection

If you have a Capital One card, book your flight through their travel portal. If the price drops after you book, they’ll refund you the difference automatically. I’ve done this twice on Cancun flights and saved over $300 total. It takes the pressure off timing your booking perfectly.

Stack Credit Card Offers for Extra Savings

Keep an eye on Amex Offers, Chase Travel deals, and other card perks that apply to Mexico travel. I once combined a flight deal from Going.com with a $150 Amex credit for an all-inclusive resort — easy money saved. The stars aligned perfectly on that trip – I felt like I was gaming the system legally. Always check your credit card portal before booking anything.

Avoid Flying Home on Sundays

This one’s simple but makes a big difference. Sunday is usually the most expensive day to fly back from Cancun. Try to plan your return for a Tuesday or Wednesday instead… I regularly see $100–$200 in savings just by shifting the dates a bit. My last trip home on a Tuesday cost $340 while Sunday would have been $510…same vacation, $170 less.

• Pro Tip: To avoid having to spend hours researching cheap flights to Cancun, I recommend signing up for Going Premium. While the free version is great for continental US economy deals, the Premium version is what you’ll need to find best-value flights to Mexico, including credit card points and airline mile deals.