Sure, Seattle has its charm, but those endless gray days make me dream of somewhere sunny. After months of tracking flights from SEA (fueled by way too many Pike Place lattes), I’ve found some incredible deals that’ll have you packing your bags. These are the best places in Seattle to catch affordable flights that actually go somewhere exciting.
Want to trade rainy days for a beach in Hawaii? I just spotted tickets to Maui for under $300 round trip. You could be swapping your morning coffee run for breakfast in Lahaina or trading the Space Needle views for sunset at Kaanapali Beach. Seriously. I’ve done the hard work finding these deals; now let me show you how to grab them.
My #1 tip for finding the cheapest places to fly from Seattle
Here’s my secret to find cheap flights from Seattle. For the last few years, I have been using Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to save tons of money on domestic and international flights. I’m talking some serious cash, sometimes hundreds of dollars.
For many travelers, the free version of Going will be more than enough. But for all you frequent flyers out there, the site has a premium version, too. For $49 a year, you will get even more flights sent to you. They will also arrive in your inbox sooner than with the free version, so you can jump on them faster. Like I said, for many globetrotters out there, the free version of Going will be just fine. If you want to step up your cost savings on flights, though, the premium one could be for you.
Want to save money on airfare? Use my discount code Jon20 to save 20%!
Budget-Friendly Places to Fly from Seattle
Looking for budget-friendly places to fly from Seattle? Visit Las Vegas for world-class entertainment and vibrant nightlife, Denver for stunning mountain views and outdoor adventures, Calgary for breathtaking national parks and cultural festivals, and Phoenix for sunny weather and scenic desert landscapes. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or cuisine, these destinations offer affordable getaways from Seattle.
1. Seattle to Las Vegas, Nevada ($51–$150 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Spirit, Alaska, Delta, Southwest (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for milder temperatures and fewer crowds
- 🏆 Perfect for: Party-goers 🎲, entertainment lovers 🎭, desert explorers 🏜️
Las Vegas is where reality takes a vacation. This neon-lit playground in the middle of the Nevada desert offers a perfect escape from Seattle’s rainy days, delivering sunshine, world-class entertainment, and an atmosphere where you can be whoever you want to be without judgment.
The iconic Strip packs celebrity-chef restaurants, mega-casinos, and mind-blowing shows into a walkable corridor where something wild is happening 24/7. Beyond the gambling, Fremont Street in downtown offers a grittier, more affordable Vegas experience with light shows, street performers, and cheap drinks. For a break from the chaos, Red Rock Canyon is just 30 minutes away with stunning hiking trails through crimson landscapes that look straight out of Mars.
For the cheapest flights, Spirit consistently offers rock-bottom $51 roundtrip fares if you travel Tuesday/Wednesday with just a personal item. Alaska runs frequent sales around $99 roundtrip that include a carry-on bag. January through early March and September through November offer the best combo of perfect weather and lower prices.
2. Seattle to Denver, Colorado ($76–$180 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Frontier, Alaska, United, Southwest (12+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to May 🌷 and September to October 🍂 for mild weather and fewer tourists
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor enthusiasts 🏔️, craft beer lovers 🍺, urban explorers 🏙️
Denver is the kind of place where you can hike a mountain trail in the morning, sip local beer by lunch, and catch a concert under the stars by night. It sits exactly one mile above sea level, with the Rockies looming in the distance and 300 days of sunshine lighting up the city.
Downtown Denver centers around the pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall and the revitalized LoDo (Lower Downtown) district packed with brewpubs, restaurants, and rooftop bars with mountain views. For a quintessential Colorado experience, drive up to Red Rocks Park where the natural amphitheater hosts concerts in a setting so stunning it looks photoshopped. Beer lovers can hit the Denver Beer Trail with over 100 breweries in the metro area, while outdoor types can be skiing at Winter Park or hiking Rocky Mountain National Park within a short drive from the city.
Snag Frontier’s Tuesday flash sales for $76 roundtrip if you pack light and book 2-3 months ahead. Southwest includes two free checked bags with their $120 roundtrip fares. Time your visit in spring and fall for warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds—ideal for exploring both the city and the mountains.
- Read Next: Cheap Places to Fly from Denver
3. Seattle to Calgary, Alberta, Canada ($173–$280 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Air Canada, Alaska, WestJet, Delta (6+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to August 🌞 for outdoor activities and July for the Calgary Stampede, December to March ❄️ for skiing
- 🏆 Perfect for: Mountain lovers 🏔️, western culture enthusiasts 🤠, outdoor adventurers 🥾
Calgary gives you all the perks of international travel without the jet lag headache. This surprisingly cosmopolitan city rocks that perfect Canadian mix of pristine urban spaces and easy access to mind-blowing wilderness, making it the ultimate quick escape for Seattleites who want passport stamps without long-haul flights.
Stephen Avenue hums with energy as the city’s pedestrian-only core, packed with heritage buildings housing chef-driven restaurants and cool local shops. For the best city views, head to the famous Calgary Tower or the free Scotsman’s Hill where locals watch sunsets over the downtown skyline. The real magic happens when you rent a car and drive just 90 minutes to Banff where Lake Louise serves up that iconic turquoise water against snow-capped mountains that’ll make your Instagram followers think you splurged on Switzerland.
Score flight deals by watching for WestJet’s Tuesday Flash sales where prices regularly dip to $173 roundtrip if you’re flexible with dates. Alaska Airlines partners with them, so you can earn Alaska miles while flying Canadian. January and early October typically see the steepest discounts while still offering decent weather.
✈️ My #1 Hack for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel upgrade I’ve ever made.
4. Seattle to Phoenix, Arizona ($79–$170 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Alaska, Southwest, Frontier (15+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: November to March 🌵 and October to early November 🍂 for perfect temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Sun seekers ☀️, golf enthusiasts 🏌️, outdoor adventurers 🥾
Phoenix is basically Seattle’s opposite in the best possible way. This sun-drenched desert oasis gets over 300 days of sunshine annually, making it the perfect escape when you’re tired of Seattle’s endless gray days and want to trade evergreen forests for saguaro cacti and red rock formations.
Old Town Scottsdale feels like stepping into the Southwest of your imagination with adobe architecture, art galleries, and restaurant patios that stay packed year-round because, well, it’s always patio weather. Hikers need to hit Camelback Mountain for those iconic desert views (go early before the heat hits), while Desert Botanical Garden lets you experience the Sonoran Desert’s surprising diversity without the workout.
Grab Frontier’s $79 roundtrip deals if you pack super light and don’t mind basic service. They typically drop prices on Tuesday for their Saturday flights. Southwest offers slightly higher fares around $120 roundtrip but includes two free checked bags. January through early March sees the steepest discounts while still offering perfect 70-degree days that feel like summer to Seattleites.
5. Seattle to Sacramento, California ($99–$190 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours
- 🛫 Airlines: Alaska, Southwest, Spirit (8+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌼 and September to November 🍁 for ideal temperatures and fewer tourists
- 🏆 Perfect for: Wine enthusiasts 🍷, history buffs 🏛️, nature lovers 🌳
Sacramento is totally underrated and way more than just California’s capital. This laid-back city sits at the intersection of two major rivers with a gold rush history, thriving farm-to-fork food scene, and perfect location for exploring both wine country and the Sierra Nevada mountains without the insane prices of SF or LA.
Old Sacramento looks straight out of a western movie with wooden boardwalks and Gold Rush-era buildings now housing quirky shops and restaurants along the waterfront. The trendy Midtown district packs amazing restaurants, craft breweries, and colorful murals into a super walkable grid where locals actually hang out. Nature lovers should hit the American River Bike Trail which stretches 32 miles along the river, perfect for cycling or running with frequent river access points for cooling off during summer months. For day trips, you’re just an hour from Napa Valley vineyards or the stunning gold country foothills with historic mining towns.
Alaska Airlines regularly drops fares to $99 roundtrip for Tuesday/Wednesday flights if you book 6-8 weeks ahead. Southwest charges slightly more but includes two free checked bags. October and November offer perfect weather plus cheaper hotel rates after the tourist season ends.
6. Seattle to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ($263–$360 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Air Canada, Delta, WestJet (connecting flights only)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to August 🌞 for festivals and outdoor activities, December to March ❄️ for winter activities
- 🏆 Perfect for: Festival goers 🎭, winter adventurers ❄️, culture seekers 🏛️
Winnipeg is that cool friend nobody knows about yet. This overlooked Canadian city serves main character energy with its insane architectural glow-up, killer arts scene, and locals who somehow thrive in temperatures that would make your phone shut down.
The city thrives on extremes. During summer months, it explodes with festivals including Folklorama where you can experience 40+ cultural pavilions, while winter brings the charming Festival du Voyageur where locals embrace -30°C temperatures with epic snow sculptures and maple taffy pulled fresh on snow. For a perfect blend of urban and nature, The Forks is where two rivers meet and offers everything from riverside trails to local markets regardless of season.
Air Canada and WestJet connect through Vancouver or Calgary with fares starting around $263 roundtrip when booked 2-3 months ahead. The sweet spot for deals is January through March when tourism dips but the city’s winter festivals are in full swing. Summer flights cost about $75 more but reward you with perfect weather and non-stop outdoor events.
7. Seattle to Boise, Idaho ($123–$210 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Alaska, Delta, Southwest (6+ daily flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to May 🌞 and September to October 🍂 for outdoor adventures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor adventurers 🏔️, craft beer enthusiasts 🍺, budget travelers 💰
Boise offers a perfect blend of outdoor recreation and small-city charm that’s easy on your wallet. This sunny mountain city delivers surprising cultural depth, excellent dining, and outdoor access that rivals destinations twice its size.
The Boise River Greenbelt is 25 miles of pure outdoor therapy where you can bike, float, or just vibe by the water without fighting crowds for the perfect spot. Downtown, Freak Alley gives your feed the street art content it desperately needs, while the Basque Block serves up cultural heritage so unique your friends will think you made it up. When you need mountain energy, Bogus Basin is just 16 miles away with legit skiing in winter and hiking trails that hit different in summer.
Alaska Airlines has your back with midweek flights around $140 roundtrip if you book 6-8 weeks ahead. Skip June through August unless you love heat and tourists. The move is to visit April or October when the weather’s perfect but crowds are nonexistent.
- Read Next: How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets
