Are you planning to go on vacation? Do you live in or near Denver, Colorado? Are you on a budget? If you “yes” to these three questions, keep reading. As a globe-trotting traveler, I’ve picked up some good tips for saving money on airfare from Denver and other cities. For this blog, I scoured booking sites all across the internet to find the cheapest places to fly from Denver. Just because money is tight doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an awesome vacation.
There’s a lot to love about leaving in and around Denver, CO. Surrounded by beautiful, snowy mountains, it’s a great place for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, especially during the winter. No matter how great a place is, though, if you spend a lot of time there, you’ll start getting the itch to see something different.
If that sounds like you, you’re in luck. Why? Because you can find a whole bunch of affordable travel deals from Denver at Denver International Airport (DIA). From the sunny beaches of Orlando to the world-famous casinos of Las Vegas, the cheapest vacations from Denver include some of the most popular tourist spots in the continental US. Best of all, saving money on cheap airline tickets from Denver means having more to spend on attractions and souvenirs!
Here are the cheapest places to fly from Denver in 2023.
#1 tip for finding cheap plane tickets from Denver
Believe it or not, it’s never been easier to find affordable airfare from Denver to anywhere. Before we get into my top picks for the cheapest places to fly from Denver, I’d like to share a quick tip on how to save money on airline tickets, no matter where you’re going!
For the past two years, I’ve been using Going to find cheap airline tickets from Denver and other cities. Try it for yourself and see. All you have to do is enter in the name of your departure airport, then select your destination. Going will then automatically send mistake fares and other extra cheap flight deals directly to your inbox for FREE!
In 2022, Going’s email alerts helped me save thousands of dollars on flights. With Going, I save on average between $300 and $500 roundtrip on selected flight routes. Premium members who pay a small annual fee of $49 have access to even more features and even cheaper bargains.
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Other considerations when finding cheap flight deals from Denver
For this blog, I highlighted cheap destinations in Denver within the continental US. However, you can find cheap flights from Denver, CO, to basically anywhere. Denver International Airport serves no less than 25 different airlines. Together, those airlines offer direct flights from Denver to more than 215 locations across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. So if you live in or near Colorado, you’re pretty much spoiled for choice.
When looking for cheap flight deals from Denver, it’s important to remember that when you travel is often as important as where you travel. Certain times of year are busier for certain destinations, so if you have a specific vacation spot in mind, it’s important to plan ahead. Find out when the peak season is and try to schedule your trip when things are less hectic. Not only will this help you avoid the crowds, but it’s also a surefire way to snag a cheap vacation from Denver.
If you’re having trouble finding affordable airfare to the destination of your dreams, don’t give up hope! Booking far in advance is a great way to score discounts, but it’s not the only way. As the date of the trip gets closer, things come up. Life happens. As a result, people have to cancel their flights. The airlines would rather sell a seat at a bargain price than send out an airplane with empty seats, which makes it a great way to book last-minute getaways from Denver for cheap.
Cheapest places to fly from Denver in 2023: The best flight deals from Denver
Haven’t you ever wanted to savor the natural beauty of the Lone Star State’s most scenic views? Or seek your fortune in the blazing neon wonderland of Sin City? Or explore the most magical place on earth at Disney World? With the low price of plane tickets from Denver, there’s no reason you can’t. Here are seven of the cheapest places to fly from Denver right now:
1. Denver to Las Vegas, NV ($38)
Looking for an awesome vacation destination that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? You can’t go wrong with Las Vegas. After all, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the cheapest flight out of Denver year-round!
Although Vegas is considered the gambling capital of the United States, there are enough activities here that a Vegas vacation is sure to please all palates. Shopaholics can visit Fremont Street, which is lined with one-of-a-kind stores and restaurants. Or you can check out The Forum Shops at Caesars. This upscale mall boasts immersive Roman theming and is conveniently connected to the world-famous Caesars Palace resort.
Think Las Vegas is all just fun and games? Well, you’re half right; it’s lots of fun, but there’s a lot more than just games to enjoy here. If you’re a history buff, Vegas is sure to delight with some of the most unique museums you’ll find anywhere. For instance, The Neon Museum Las Vegas preserves the flashy and ornate neon signs that are the city’s trademark. Likewise, The Mob Museum chronicles the history of crime and law enforcement.
Of course, the Las Vegas Strip is undoubtedly the region’s most famous attraction. This 4-mile stretch of the downtown boulevard is a dense light-show of resorts, casinos, and hotels. Many of Vegas’s most well-known establishments, such as the Luxor Hotel and The Mirage, are located here. You can also find the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop here, iconic as the main filming location for the TV show Pawn Stars. Thankfully, those Denver flight deals mean you won’t have to pawn your valuables to get back home.
2. Denver to Ontario, CA ($56)
No, not Ontario in Canada. Ontario in California! Though often overshadowed by nearby Los Angeles, Ontario is an ideal vacation destination if you’re seeking cheap flights from Denver. This is thanks in part to the low fees and excellent service at Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Museum-hopping is a good way to start your stay, with the Ontario Museum of History and Art offering poignant political art exhibits and historical art. Or take a short drive to the Planes of Fame Air Museum, which chronicles the history of aviation. The site not only houses countless vintage aircraft and fighter jets, but also maintains a fleet of working historic aircraft capable of flight that guests can ride!
Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Whispering Lakes Golf Course is a hole-in-one for anyone looking to get in a few good swings during their getaway. This PGA golf course is as scenic as it is challenging. Best of all, it features its very own dog park, so don’t hesitate to bring your furry friends with you! Another fun sporting destination nearby is Hangar 18, a vast indoor climbing gym with a 15-foot cave area and 20+ foot top-out climbs.
Ontario may not be as big or as famous as its other California cousins, but when you’re looking for cheap round-trip flights from Denver, you can’t beat it. If you’re dead set on visiting Hollywood or San Francisco, Ontario isn’t far away, so going through ONT is a good way to save on airfare.
3. Denver to Oklahoma City, OK ($68)
If your favorite thing about going on vacation is soaking up the local color, Oklahoma City is a great place to visit. With its wealth of museums and historic monuments, this is a place that’s deeply proud of its local culture. The fact that Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) is one of the cheapest places to fly from Denver doesn’t exactly hurt.
Among the many historical attractions in Oklahoma City are the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, among others. My personal favorite is the Museum of Osteology, which is home to a very rare and impressive attraction: the massive skeleton of a 40-foot humpback whale. It’s a sight to behold, no bones about it!
Elsewhere, indulge your appetite for scenic views and outdoor activities. at Scissortail Park. Or hit up the Bricktown entertainment district to explore a variety of shops and eateries. Situated cozily along a canal, you can even take a relaxing water tour. For a really unique experience, make sure to check out Conestoga Wagons and Teepees at Orr Family Farm. Here you can enjoy camping with an old-timey Southwestern twist.
Offering more exotic natural wonders are the 130-acre Oklahoma City Zoo and the 17-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens. From flora and fauna to cowboys and teepees, no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find all that and more at this one-of-a-kind vacation destination.
4. Denver to Dallas, TX ($79)
Being the third-largest city in Texas, it’s no surprise that Dallas has such a large variety of activities to enjoy. What might come as a surprise, however, is that Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the cheapest places to fly from Denver. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but that doesn’t count for airline tickets.
One of the most popular attractions in Dallas is the Reunion Tower, which gives a breathtaking, revolving view of the many brightly colored buildings in Dallas as they light up the night sky. There is also an excellent restaurant at top of the tower, so you can dine while enjoying the best view in the entire city.
Dallas has plenty of wildlife attractions, too, such as the Dallas Zoo or the Sea Life Aquarium, where you can take a stroll through a 360-degree glass-enclosed tunnel and watch as sharks pass overhead. Those more technologically inclined can immerse themselves in a world of cutting-edge graphics at the Fixation VR Arcade just outside of Dallas.
If you aren’t already sick of airplanes after your cheap flight out of Denver, I highly recommend stopping by the Frontiers of Flight Museum. This 100,000-square-foot aviation museum (associated with the Smithsonian Institute) is home to over 200 WWII-era aircraft, a replica WWI biplane, and even the command module for the Apollo 7 spacecraft. In other words, it’s out of this world!
5. Denver to Houston, TX
Think it’s unfair that the Lone Star State gets not one, but two entries on this list? Don’t mess with Texas; I wouldn’t be talking about it this much if it weren’t worth the praise. If you want an affordable direct flight from Denver, look no further than George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
If you’re a sports fan, you’re really in for a treat here. Houston is home to no less than five major league teams, including the Houston Rockets, the Houston Texans, the Houston Dynamo, and the Houston Astros. Their stomping ground at Minute Maid Park is legendary in the world of athletics, making it a must-see attraction during your stay.
There are many nature preserves in Houston, too. My own personal favorites include the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, the beautiful Bayou Bend Gardens, and Buffalo Bayou Park, which offers a stunning view of the Houston skyline. There’s also Discovery Green Park, which often hosts concerts and music festivals. For maximum fun, try scheduling your trip to coincide with one of the annual events that regularly take place there.
Of course, Houston’s most famous attractions are those related to the city’s place in the history of space travel. Space Center Houston is the visitor center for NASA and houses many historic pieces of space equipment. It’s sure to have tourists of all ages feeling over the moon with excitement!
6. Denver to Minneapolis, MN ($118)
Shopaholics, pack your bags. Minneapolis isn’t just home to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the best places to find cheap flights out of Denver. It’s also the site of the Mall of America! With more than 520 stores, it’s the largest indoor shopping complex in the US. And thanks to one-of-a-kind on-site attractions like Underwater Adventures Aquarium and the Nickelodeon World theme park, this is one shopping trip the kids won’t mind tagging along for.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Mall of America, nature lovers can find Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. On top of providing sanctuary to migrating birds and displaying fun interactive exhibits, the refuge boasts some of the best hiking trails in the state of Minnesota. If you visit during wintertime, there are also some top-notch opportunities for cross-country skiing.
After you’ve explored the beauty of nature, why not take in some made-made wonders at the prestigious Minneapolis Institute of Art? Housing more than 90,000 individual artworks, it’s one of the largest art museums in the country. Some of its most famous pieces include Rembrandt’s “Lucretia” and Vincent van Gogh’s “Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun.”
After a long day of skiing and art gazing, you can retire to the Great Wolf Lodge Resort, which doubles as a gigantic indoor water park. With countless pools and slides, and even a full-blown canyon-style rafting experience, this is a lot more than your average tourist hotel. You could even say… it’s a splash.
7. Denver to Orlando, FL ($148)
If you’re hoping for a change of scenery from the snow-kissed mountains of Colorado, there’s no better place than Orlando, Florida. With its abundant sunshine and subtropical climate, it’s a paradise for tourists almost year-round. Oh yeah, and guess what. Orlando International Airport (MCO) just happens to be one of the cheapest places to fly from Denver.
In addition to miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, Orlando is the amusement park capital of the world. Obviously, the biggest and best is Walt Disney World Resort, which is itself divided into four different theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. It’s also home to a pair of water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, and a whopping 40 hotels. It even has its own outdoor shopping center in the form of Disney Springs.
Just a short drive away is Disney’s biggest amusement-park competitor, Universal Studios Florida, which sets itself apart with immersive virtual reality rides and beloved themed experiences like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Other parks worth checking out include Legoland, SeaWorld Orlando, and Gatorland, where you can get up close and personal with real, live alligators!
Don’t forget to take a stroll along the CityWalk. There you can dine at one of the many restaurants that are practically attractions themselves, like Margaritaville or the Hard Rock Cafe. With so much to see, do, and taste, you’ll be glad you saved money by scoring cheap airfare from Denver.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about cheap flights from Denver
Before booking you start planning your vacation, there are some things you should know. Here are some common questions and answers about how to get cheap plane tickets from Denver:
What is the best airport offering quick flights from Denver?
Travelers far and wide agree: the most convenient airport in the state of Colorado is Denver International Airport (DIA). It’s even been named the best airport in the continental US for six consecutive years by Business Travelers Magazine. This is in part due to its low prices, numerous airlines, and cheap flights from Denver to other parts of the US, as well as to destinations in Europe and Asia.
DIA is also the largest airport in the US and the second largest in the world. Despite this, it is well-regarded for its easy navigability, efficient layout, and eco-friendly practices.
What airlines offer flights from Denver International Airport?
DIA currently services 25 different airlines. Cumulatively, they offer direct flights from Denver to roughly 215 destinations all over the world.
The 24 airlines offering flights out of Denver are:
- Aeromexico
- Aeromexico Connect
- Air Canada
- Air Canada Express
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant
- Airways
- Boutique Air
- Delta Airlines
- Delta Connection
- British Airways
- Frontier Airlines
- Icelandair
- Key Lime Air
- Great Lakes Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Lufthansa
- PenAir
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- United Express
- Virgin America
- Volaris
How bad is the turbulence on flights out of Denver, CO?
Traveling to any of the cheapest places to fly from Denver is sometimes a bumpy ride. This is a result of the cold, hard winds that swirl down from the nearby Rocky Mountains. In fact, flights leaving Denver and flights arriving in Denver are both well-known for experiencing turbulence.
That said, flights from Denver are no more dangerous than flights from anywhere. Pilots, technicians, and airlines operating out of DIA are well-prepared and fully equipped to deal with the turbulence of Colorado’s mountainous winds. While traveling by air is never 100% safe, it’s as safe in Denver as it is anywhere else in the world.
What are the best times of year to travel from Denver to anywhere?
Although the best time of year to fly out of Denver depends largely on where you’re going, there are definitely times when DIA is less crowded and thus airfare tickets are much cheaper.
The best times of year to travel from Denver are either April-May or September-October. Why? Because summer and winter are the peak tourist season for most destinations, including Denver. In other words, by traveling during the off seasons, you will not only be able to avoid crowds of tourists at your destination, but also at home. Most importantly, the cost of airfare from Denver is at its lowest during these months, which is good for you and your bank account.
For more travel tips (and inspiration), follow my adventures on Instagram: @Global.Viewpoint. Happy Travels! -Jon
