Looking for an excuse to escape Charlotte? I just spent hours hunting through flight deals from CLT, and I found some prices that made me do a double take. When I spotted tickets to Miami Beach going for less than a night out in South End, I knew I had to share these finds.
After researching the best places in Charlotte to fly from, I discovered some serious steals. Want to trade Uptown views for Manhattan skyscrapers or swap Lake Norman for Caribbean beaches? From quick flights to Washington, DC (often under $150 round trip) to surprisingly affordable jaunts to Cancun, these 13 destinations prove you don’t need deep pockets to get out of Queen City. Trust me, your wallet will thank you for checking out these deals.
#1 tip for finding cheap flights from Charlotte
For the past 5 years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going) to find cheap flight deals. It’s free and super easy to use. All you have to do is enter in your home airport (i.e. CLT or KCLT) and where you want to go, and they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals.
In 2024 alone, I saved thousands of dollars thanks to their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $325 roundtrip fare from Charlotte to Barcelona. On average, I save about $300 roundtrip on selected flight routes. So, I’m a huge fan and couldn’t recommend them more!
If you’re a frequent flier, consider getting their premium version. It costs $49 per year, but it will easily save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars if you fly just 1-2 times. I recommend signing up for the free trial (which you can cancel at any time) to test it out for yourself. And if you like it, use my coupon code JON20 to save 20%!
Where to Fly Cheap from Charlotte in 2025
Looking to fly cheap from Charlotte in 2025? Book a flight to Atlanta for a mix of southern charm, bustling nightlife, and historic landmarks. Visit Orlando to experience world-famous theme parks, entertainment, and warm weather. Head to Miami for stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and exciting nightlife. Explore New York City, where iconic landmarks, Broadway shows, and endless dining options await. Whether you’re after adventure, relaxation, or city life, these are the top budget-friendly destinations from Charlotte.
Looking to save BIG on airfare? I recommend signing up for Dollar Flight Club. Thanks to DFC, I’ve saved $5,000+ on travel this year…so I couldn’t recommend it more!
1. Charlotte to Atlanta ($39-$90 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Delta, American Airlines (20+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for pleasant weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: History buffs 🏛️, food lovers 🍽️, weekend getaways 🏙️
Atlanta hits different. This southern powerhouse city is packed with surprises and sits just 49 minutes from Charlotte by air, which is close enough for an impulse weekend trip!
Downtown delivers serious entertainment bang for your buck. The massive Georgia Aquarium houses whale sharks in the largest tank in the Western Hemisphere. Walk in Dr. King’s footsteps at the powerful Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which includes his childhood home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. When hunger strikes, Ponce City Market transforms a historic Sears warehouse into a foodie paradise.
Beyond tourist spots, neighborhoods like Little Five Points showcase the city’s quirky side with vintage shops and indie music venues. The Atlanta BeltLine offers a car-free way to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
For the best flight deals, Delta often runs sales under $150 roundtrip. Spring and fall bring perfect weather without summer humidity, making it the ideal time to visit.
2. Charlotte to Orlando ($54-$120 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Southwest (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to May 🌴 and September to November 🍂 for smaller crowds
- 🏆 Perfect for: Theme park enthusiasts 🎢, families 👨👩👧👦, nature lovers 🌳
Sure, the theme parks steal the spotlight, but Orlando packs serious vacation value beyond Disney and Universal. Just a 90-minute flight from Charlotte puts you in sunshine territory year-round.
The Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios deliver blockbuster thrills, but don’t sleep on Winter Park, a sophisticated enclave with Spanish-style architecture, waterfront dining, and the stunning Morse Museum housing the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass. Nature lovers should check out crystal-clear Wekiwa Springs where you can kayak alongside manatees in 72-degree water or take an airboat ride through Boggy Creek to spot gators in their natural habitat.
Frontier and Spirit constantly battle for low fares on this route, with midweek deals often below $75 roundtrip if you can travel light. American charges more but includes bags. Visit January through March for perfect weather and shorter theme park lines.
Orlando’s massive convention schedule can spike hotel rates, so check the convention calendar before booking.
3. Charlotte to Miami ($56-$140 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Frontier (10+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December to May 🌴 for sunny days without summer humidity
- 🏆 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, nightlife seekers 🍹, foodies 🍽️
Two hours from Charlotte to a completely different world. Miami delivers tropical heat, Latin rhythms, and coastal glamour without needing a passport.
South Beach still dazzles with its pastel Art Deco hotels and see-and-be-seen beach scene, but locals head to Wynwood where massive street murals transform warehouse walls into an open-air art gallery. The Design District showcases luxury boutiques alongside innovative restaurants, while Little Havana serves up authentic Cuban culture. Grab a cortadito at Versailles before watching intense domino games at Maximo Gomez Park!
Miami works year-round, but April-May hits the sweet spot after spring breakers leave and before summer humidity kicks in. American Airlines dominates the Charlotte-Miami route with frequent direct flights, but watch for Frontier’s occasional fare drops below $100 roundtrip. Their Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer the best deals. Consider an early flight down because nothing beats starting your day with breakfast overlooking the Atlantic.
4. Charlotte to New York City ($135-$250 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue (20+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June 🌷 and September to November 🍂 for pleasant temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: First-time visitors 🗽, theatergoers 🎭, urban explorers 🏙️
Whether it’s your first visit or fifteenth, New York never stops revealing new layers.
The real NYC exists beyond the tourist zones. Wander the High Line park built on former elevated train tracks for unique city views before exploring the West Village’s tree-lined streets and brownstones. Art lovers can lose themselves among European masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum or cutting-edge works at the Whitney. For authentic food experiences, hit the Lower East Side where traditional Jewish delis share blocks with trendy ramen spots and speakeasy cocktail bars.
May and October bring perfect weather for city exploration without summer crowds or winter chill. American Airlines and Delta both serve the Charlotte-LaGuardia route with multiple daily flights. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for the best fares, which sometimes drop below $140 roundtrip midweek. Morning departures offer two advantages: more time on your first day and fewer delays than afternoon flights when New York airspace gets congested.
5. Charlotte to Dallas ($162-$210 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Southwest (10+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for ideal temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: BBQ lovers 🍖, history buffs 🏛️, sports fans 🏈
Dallas blends Texas-sized ambition with Southern charm, where sleek skyscrapers rise from the prairie and you can explore world-class museums or catch a real cattle drive in a single day.
Visit Dealey Plaza, where history changed forever, and dive into JFK’s legacy at the Sixth Floor Museum. Sports fans can check out the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium—the video screen alone is a showstopper. For a break from the hustle, stroll through the Bishop Arts District, packed with boutique shops and fantastic food. And if you’re a BBQ fan, Pecan Lodge offers brisket so tender it practically melts in your mouth, though be prepared to wait.
American Airlines dominates the DFW hub, while Southwest flies into Dallas Love Field closer to downtown. Watch for deals under $180, especially in shoulder seasons. March-April brings bluebonnet blooms, and October-November offers perfect 70°F days to explore.
6. Charlotte to Denver ($193-$250 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Frontier (7+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June 🏔️ and September to October 🍂 for outdoor activities
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor adventurers 🏞️, beer enthusiasts 🍺, mountain lovers 🗻
Denver is basically an outdoor playground with stunning mountain views, craft breweries on every corner, and a cool city vibe. The city has tons of iconic attractions where you can hike, drink, and soak up nature without breaking the bank.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is famous for concerts between massive rock formations, while the RiNo Art District is so incredible you can actually spend hours brewery-hopping amid street art, which is pretty rare for a former industrial zone! Don’t miss the nearby hiking trails or Rocky Mountain National Park‘s breathtaking alpine scenery.
April-June and September-October are prime months with perfect hiking weather and hotel rates around $120-160/night downtown. For the best flight deals, check Frontier if you can pack light, though American often includes a checked bag without the budget airline hassle.
Denver sits at 5,280 feet elevation. The altitude hits some visitors hard, so drink plenty of water and take it easy your first day.
7. Charlotte to Chicago ($96-$175 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, United (12+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to June 🌷 and September to October 🍂 for lakefront activities
- 🏆 Perfect for: Foodies 🍕, architecture lovers 🏙️, sports fans ⚾
Ever wonder what happens when stunning architecture meets Midwestern charm and world-class food? Chicago answers just a 2-hour flight from Charlotte.
The Chicago Architecture River Cruise gives you the perfect introduction as you float past architectural masterpieces while guides explain how the city literally raised itself several feet in the 1800s. Millennium Park showcases urban planning at its finest with the iconic reflective Bean sculpture, free summer concerts, and winter ice skating beneath the skyline. Sports fans can experience baseball history at Wrigley Field where ivy covers the outfield walls, or catch any of the city’s passionate sports teams that locals support through thick and thin.
Flight options are plentiful with American and United competing for the best fares, often dropping below $150 roundtrip during shoulder seasons. The perfect time to be in Chicago is late May/early June when the lakefront blooms with activity, or September/October
8. Charlotte to Los Angeles ($201-$260 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 5 hours
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Delta (10+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌴 and September to November 🍂 for perfect weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Movie buffs 🎬, beach lovers 🏄♀️, urban explorers 🚶♂️
Charlotte to Los Angeles takes just over five hours, but lands you in a completely different world. Palm trees, sunshine, and endless options await.
LA is where beach culture meets Hollywood glamour and global influences create something uniquely Californian. Catch epic sunsets at Griffith Observatory with views of the entire city spread out below, feel the energy of Venice Beach Boardwalk where street performers and skateboarders create a constant show, or explore the incredible art collections at the Getty Center and The Broad.
Flight hunters will score the best Charlotte to LA deals by watching for American and Delta fare wars about 4-6 weeks ahead, especially for Tuesday/Wednesday departures. March through May lets you soak up perfect 70-degree sunshine without battling summer tourists or getting caught in those surprising winter rainstorms that locals completely fall apart over.
9. Charlotte to Las Vegas ($167-$230 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Southwest (8+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌵 and September to November 🍂 for comfortable temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Nightlife lovers 🎰, entertainment seekers 🎭, desert adventurers 🏜️
Las Vegas hits you like a sensory tornado the moment you step off the plane. This desert mirage somehow combines next-level luxury with delightful tackiness where architectural impossibilities line a single famous boulevard.
By day, The Strip dazzles with mega-resorts, while nighttime transforms everything into a neon-soaked fantasy world. Craving authentic Vegas vibes? Fremont Street delivers vintage gambling halls beneath a pulsating light canopy with drinks at half the price. The Bellagio Fountains perform their aquatic ballet every 30 minutes, completely free and somehow never getting old.
Smart travelers visit during March-May when desert temperatures hover in perfect 70-80°F territory before summer’s scorching heat arrives. Charlotte flyers find the best deals 6-8 weeks out, especially midweek, with Southwest’s two free checked bags often offsetting American’s lower base fares.
10. Charlotte to San Francisco ($210-$275 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Delta (6+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June 🌉 and September to October 🍷 for clearest skies
- 🏆 Perfect for: Foodies 🍽️, tech enthusiasts 💻, outdoor lovers 🏞️
Imagine a city where hippie history meets tech billions, where food from every corner of the planet collides, and where summer means wearing a jacket. Welcome to San Francisco—just 5.5 hours from Charlotte but basically on another planet.
SF packs more iconic sights per square mile than almost anywhere else. Walk or bike across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge with its towering orange towers disappearing into the fog. Catch a cable car up the ridiculous inclines while hanging off the side for the full experience. Wander through the bustling food stalls at Ferry Building Marketplace, then hop a ferry to the historic prison island of Alcatraz.
September and October offer the warmest, clearest weather in this notoriously foggy city. Summer visitors should bring layers. Mark Twain wasn’t kidding about the coldest winter being summer in San Francisco.
United runs the most Charlotte-SFO direct flights, with occasional fare sales bringing roundtrips under $350.
11. Charlotte to Philadelphia ($61-$140 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Frontier (10+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to June 🌷 and September to November 🍂 for ideal temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: History buffs 🏛️, food lovers 🧀, weekend wanderers 🚶♂️
Philadelphia packs centuries of history into a walkable downtown core. Stand in the actual room where the Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall, then grab a selfie with the famously cracked Liberty Bell in its glass pavilion—both completely free!
Art lovers should trek up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art before exploring the impressive collection inside. Hungry? Reading Terminal Market has been feeding locals since 1893 with everything from Amish baked goods to legendary cheesesteaks.
Flight deals between Charlotte and Philly pop up regularly with American running frequent service, while Frontier offers budget options with fares sometimes dropping below $70 one-way. Spring brings perfect temperatures plus gorgeous blooms at Longwood Gardens just outside the city, while fall delivers crisp days ideal for exploring both indoor and outdoor attractions.
12. Charlotte to Houston ($99-$180 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: United, American Airlines (8+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to May 🚀 and September to November 🍂 for comfortable weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Space enthusiasts 🛰️, culinary explorers 🍖, art lovers 🎨
Houston surprises visitors with its cosmic contradictions. This sprawling Texas metropolis combines cutting-edge space exploration, global culinary brilliance, and remarkable arts scenes within its vast urban landscape.
Touch actual moon rocks at Space Center Houston where mission control rooms still buzz with NASA engineers preparing for Mars missions. The Museum District offers cultural riches including the gorgeous Menil Collection showcasing world-class art in sunlit galleries that cost nothing to enter.
Flight options from Charlotte include regular service on United through their Houston hub, plus competitive options on American. The sweet spot for visiting is March/April when perfect 70-75°F days come without summer’s infamous humidity, or October/November when fall brings comfortable temperatures for exploring both indoor and outdoor attractions.
13. Charlotte to Tampa ($50-$120 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Southwest (7+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to May 🌴 and September to November 🍂 for perfect beach weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, outdoor adventurers 🎢, foodies 🦐
Tampa offers Florida sunshine without the South Beach attitude or Orlando crowds. This Gulf Coast paradise serves up pristine beaches, thrilling adventures, and authentic cultural pockets all within a quick 90-minute hop from Charlotte.
The legendary Clearwater Beach isn’t just hyped tourist propaganda. Those impossibly white sands and crystal waters genuinely live up to their reputation. When beach time needs a break, Busch Gardens delivers serious adrenaline rushes with coasters that rival anything in Orlando, plus face-to-face wildlife encounters without the typical theme park upcharges.
Flight hunters rejoice: this route consistently delivers wallet-friendly options with Southwest’s free checked bags making them worth comparing against American’s frequent sales. Savvy travelers target April visits when perfect 75-80°F temperatures arrive before summer’s muggy heat and daily thunderstorms.
