Real talk: St. Louis is awesome, but sometimes you need a break from toasted ravioli and Cardinals games. After months of tracking flights from STL (fueled by way too many cups of Park Avenue coffee), I’ve found some seriously good deals that’ll get you somewhere exciting. These are the best places in St. Louis to catch cheap flights without emptying your wallet.
Want to trade your Forest Park walks for a weekend eating your way through the French Quarter? Or swap your Gateway Arch views for the Gulf beaches a short drive outside Tampa? Both have been running under $250 roundtrip. Let me show you exactly how to find these fares.
Spirit Airlines Shut Down May 2026
Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026 after failing to secure a federal rescue, so it is no longer an option on any route in this guide. It had already pulled out of St. Louis back in January, but its collapse also removed the fare floor it set industry-wide, and budget fares from STL have climbed since. Southwest and Frontier are now your two realistic low-cost carriers here. (Details here)
Affordable Travel Destinations from St. Louis
Looking for affordable travel destinations from St. Louis? Visit Dallas for its bustling arts district and famous barbecue, Denver for scenic mountain views and outdoor adventures, Atlanta for its rich history and vibrant music scene, and Minneapolis for beautiful lakes and cultural attractions. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or cuisine, these destinations offer budget-friendly getaways from St. Louis.
1. St. Louis to Dallas ($120–$225 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American Airlines, Southwest, Frontier (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for pleasant temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, food enthusiasts 🍖, art lovers 🎨
Dallas is that perfect blend of southern charm and big-city energy where everything from the portion sizes to the skyline feels larger than life. This Texas metropolis serves up neighborhoods with totally distinct personalities, an arts scene that rivals coastal cities, and food that goes way beyond the barbecue and Tex-Mex you’re expecting (though both are absolutely fire here).
The Dallas Arts District spans 20 square blocks as the largest contiguous arts district in the nation, where you can gallery-hop for hours with museums that range from contemporary masterpieces to ancient artifacts. For outdoor vibes in an urban setting, Klyde Warren Park literally sits on top of a freeway, creating a green oasis with food trucks, free yoga classes, and perfect skyline views. When you’re ready to dive into local culture, Deep Ellum delivers street art, live music venues, and craft breweries in a historic district that’s been keeping Dallas weird since the 1800s.
Southwest Airlines usually lands around $150 roundtrip when booked 4-6 weeks ahead. Bags cost extra now, but you still get a full-size carry-on plus a personal item, and no change or cancel fees if your plans shift. Target your visit for April when temperatures hit that perfect sweet spot for patio dining without summer’s brutal heat waves.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Dallas
2. St. Louis to Denver ($135–$250 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Frontier, Southwest, United (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June 🌄 and September to October 🍂 for ideal weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor enthusiasts 🏔️, craft beer lovers 🍺, urban explorers 🏙️
Denver is that perfect mountain-adjacent city where outdoor adventure and urban sophistication somehow coexist in perfect harmony. This mile-high playground delivers Rocky Mountain views from downtown streets, a craft beer scene that literally changed how America drinks, and enough sunshine to make even the most dedicated beach lover consider mountain life.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre isn’t just another concert venue. This natural formation creates an acoustic experience so perfect that catching a show here will ruin regular venues for you forever. For beer that will reset your taste expectations, the RiNo Art District packs dozens of breweries into an industrial area now covered with massive murals that transform ordinary buildings into open-air galleries. When you need that mountain fix, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge offers bison herds and prairie landscapes just minutes from downtown.
Frontier Airlines regularly drops fares below $150 roundtrip when booked during their frequent sales. Southwest no longer includes free checked bags (it’s $45 for the first bag since April 2026), but it still wins on reliability and no change or cancel fees, which matters on a ski-season route where weather delays are common. Early October stands out as prime visiting time with aspens turning brilliant gold in the mountains while temperatures remain perfect for exploring the city without summer tourist crowds.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Denver
3. St. Louis to Atlanta ($110–$235 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Delta, Southwest, Frontier (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for comfortable weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, food lovers 🍽️, history buffs 🏛️
Atlanta is that southern powerhouse where history and hustle create a vibe all its own. This dynamic city serves up neighborhoods with completely different personalities, food innovation that combines southern tradition with global influence, and enough cultural attractions to fill a week-long itinerary without ever hitting the same place twice.
The Atlanta BeltLine transformed 22 miles of abandoned railway into the coolest urban trail system around, connecting diverse neighborhoods with art installations, food halls, and skyline views that showcase the city from entirely new angles. For serious culture immersion, Sweet Auburn delivers civil rights history and Black excellence with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park anchoring a district that changed American history.
Delta dominates this route from their massive hub with competitive fares often matched by Southwest, though Frontier occasionally drops prices below $125 roundtrip during flash sales. April brings perfect temperatures and blooming dogwoods that transform the city’s many parks into picture-perfect settings without summer’s notorious humidity and thunderstorms.
- Read next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Atlanta
- You may also like: Most Beautiful Places in Georgia
4. St. Louis to Minneapolis ($125–$260 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Sun Country, Delta, Southwest (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June to September 🌞 for outdoor activities, December to March ❄️ for winter fun
- 🏆 Perfect for: Arts enthusiasts 🎭, outdoor adventurers 🏞️, food scene explorers 🍴
Minneapolis is that surprisingly cool northern city that somehow combines Midwest friendliness with unexpected urban sophistication. This lakeside metropolis serves up more theater seats per capita than anywhere outside NYC, a park system so perfect it ranks #1 nationally for years running, and a food scene that goes way beyond the cheese-stuffed burger you’ve heard about (though those are legitimately awesome too).
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👉 Send me cheap 2026 flightsThe Minneapolis Institute of Art offers world-class collections completely free of charge, while the iconic Guthrie Theater delivers cutting-edge performances in a blue-glass building with observation decks offering panoramic Mississippi River views. For outdoor magic without leaving the city, the Chain of Lakes creates a urban paradise where you can kayak between different neighborhoods, bike along shoreline paths, or ice skate on naturally frozen lakes in winter.
Sun Country Airlines consistently offers the best deals on this route with fares regularly dipping below $160 roundtrip when booked 4-6 weeks ahead. Summer months showcase Minneapolis at its vibrant best when locals make up for winter hibernation with endless outdoor festivals, patio dining, and lake activities.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Minneapolis
5. St. Louis to New Orleans ($95–$210 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, American, Delta
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to May 🎭 and October to December 🎷 for pleasant temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Food explorers 🍽️, music lovers 🎺, history enthusiasts 🏛️
New Orleans is that rare city with such a distinct personality you can feel it the moment you step off the plane. This magical melting pot delivers architecture dripping with historical charm, food that will ruin your hometown restaurants forever, and a music scene so embedded in daily life that incredible performances happen on random street corners for spare change.
The French Quarter isn’t just a tourist trap if you know where to look. Duck into Preservation Hall where jazz legends play in an intimate space that hasn’t changed since the 1960s, or wander residential blocks where locals still live in colorfully painted Creole cottages. For culinary adventures beyond the obvious, Frenchmen Street pairs live music venues with incredible restaurants.
Southwest and American are your two options here now that Spirit has left St. Louis. Southwest charges $45 for a checked bag these days, so it’s only the cheaper pick if you’re packing carry-on only or you hold a Rapid Rewards card, which still covers one free bag for you and up to eight people on your reservation. November brings ideal exploring conditions with comfortable temperatures and significantly thinner crowds than during Mardi Gras or festival seasons.
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Fares like New Orleans at $55 or Vegas under $70 don’t sit there for long, and Going’s Premium plan ($49/year) is what pings my inbox when STL routes like these drop. I’ve watched short domestic hops out of St. Louis fall 40 to 60% off their usual range, which is the difference between a random Tuesday and a weekend trip. If you ever want business or premium economy alerts for the bigger international stuff, Elite covers that side too.
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6. St. Louis to Orlando ($115–$275 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Frontier, Southwest, Delta (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: January to April 🌞 and September to November 🍂 for fewer crowds
- 🏆 Perfect for: Theme park enthusiasts 🎢, beach lovers 🏖️, family travelers 👨👩👧👦
Orlando is that sunshine-soaked playground where childhood nostalgia and adult vacation vibes somehow perfectly merge. This Florida hotspot delivers way more than just mouse ears and magic kingdoms, with stunning natural springs, an impressive food scene, and enough non-theme park activities to fill an entire vacation if roller coasters aren’t your thing.
Disney Springs offers the theme park atmosphere without entrance fees, where you can shop, dine, and enjoy free entertainment in a meticulously designed waterfront setting. For natural beauty that rivals any man-made attraction, Wekiwa Springs showcases crystal-clear 72-degree water year-round where you can kayak, swim, or spot manatees in their natural habitat.
Frontier Airlines consistently offers rock-bottom prices, sometimes below $125 roundtrip during their frequent sales. Southwest now charges for checked bags too, but its cheapest Basic fare still includes a full-size carry-on and overhead bin access, which Frontier will charge you extra for. Run the total with bags before you decide. February serves as an ideal visiting window with perfect 70-degree temperatures and significantly shorter lines at major attractions between holiday periods.
- Read Next: Best Airports Near Orlando
7. St. Louis to Las Vegas ($115–$240 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Frontier, Southwest, American (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌵 and September to November 🍂 for comfortable temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Entertainment seekers 🎭, foodie adventurers 🍽️, desert explorers 🏜️
Las Vegas is that desert playground where reality takes a back seat to pure fantasy. This neon-lit paradise serves up world-class entertainment every night of the week, celebrity chef restaurants on practically every corner, and an energy that somehow keeps the party going 24/7 without ever feeling completely exhausted.
The Strip delivers sensory overload in the best possible way, where you can travel from ancient Rome to modern Paris within a single afternoon stroll. For experiences beyond the casino floor, Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart will blow your mind with its immersive art installation disguised as a supermarket that leads to parallel dimensions. For outdoor activities, Red Rock Canyon offers hiking trails through stunning red sandstone formations just 30 minutes from your hotel room, proving Vegas isn’t just about indoor activities.
Frontier now has the budget lane mostly to itself on this route, with sale fares that still dip low if you travel light and fly midweek. Without Spirit undercutting it, expect the floor to sit higher than it did a year ago. October provides that perfect Vegas experience with comfortable desert temperatures.
- Read Next: Best Airports in Las Vegas
8. St. Louis to Columbus ($140–$235 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, American, United (daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October 🌳 for outdoor activities and festivals
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, craft beer enthusiasts 🍺, college town energy 🎓
Columbus is that seriously underrated Midwest city that delivers unexpected coolness in practically every neighborhood. This university-powered capital city serves up an art scene that punches way above its weight, distinct districts each with their own vibe, and a food and craft beer culture that makes even coastal visitors grudgingly impressed.
Short North Arts District runs like a creative spine through the city, packed with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants housed in perfectly preserved historic buildings connected by the famous arches that span High Street. For outdoor vibes right in the city, Franklin Park Conservatory combines botanical gardens with massive glass artwork by Dale Chihuly, while the Scioto Mile offers riverfront parks and fountains where locals gather for outdoor concerts and festivals throughout summer months.
Southwest Airlines typically offers the best fares around $175 roundtrip when booked 4-6 weeks ahead. September provides perfect conditions with comfortable temperatures and several major festivals without the crowds that pack the city during Ohio State football home games.
9. St. Louis to Detroit ($160–$275 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Delta, Southwest, American (daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to October 🌞 for outdoor activities and festivals
- 🏆 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, art enthusiasts 🎨, music history buffs 🎵
Detroit is that comeback city where grit and creativity combine to create something truly authentic. This resilient metropolis serves up world-class art installations in unexpected places, a food scene driven by immigrant communities and innovative chefs, and a musical legacy so powerful you can feel the Motown rhythms practically vibrating from the pavement.
Eastern Market isn’t just another farmers market. This sprawling district operates the largest historic public market in the country surrounded by massive murals that transform ordinary buildings into an open-air gallery that changes with each visit. For serious cultural immersion, the Detroit Institute of Arts houses one of America’s finest collections including the mind-blowing Diego Rivera murals that capture the city’s industrial soul.
Delta offers the most reliable service from their Detroit hub with fares typically hovering around $210 roundtrip. Southwest is the one to watch for anything cheaper, especially if you book 4-6 weeks out. June through September provides optimal conditions for exploring outdoor attractions and catching festivals you just can’t miss.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Detroit
10. St. Louis to Phoenix ($190–$310 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, American, Frontier (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: October to April 🌵 for pleasant desert temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Outdoor adventurers 🏜️, golf enthusiasts ⛳, sunshine seekers ☀️
Phoenix is that perfect desert escape where winter blues instantly evaporate under reliably sunny skies. This sprawling Sonoran playground serves up hiking trails with otherworldly saguaro cacti, pool culture that elevates lounging to an art form, and enough outdoor activities to fill a month-long itinerary without ever setting foot in a museum.
Camelback Mountain isn’t just another hiking spot. This iconic natural landmark delivers challenging trails that reward climbers with panoramic valley views stretching across the entire metro area. For desert exploration without the intense workout, Desert Botanical Garden showcases the surprising diversity of desert plants amid stunning red rock formations that glow at sunset. When you need to cool off, the Salt River offers tubing adventures where you can float downstream spotting wild horses along the shoreline while nursing a cold beverage in your floating cup holder.
Southwest Airlines consistently provides the best value on this route with fares typically around $225 roundtrip when booked 6-8 weeks ahead. January and February deliver that perfect Arizona winter with 70-degree days and cool evenings while the Midwest shivers through freezing temperatures.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Phoenix
11. St. Louis to Houston ($130–$250 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, United, American (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February to April 🌸 and October to November 🍂 for comfortable temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: Space enthusiasts 🚀, food scene explorers 🍲, museum lovers 🏛️
Houston is that massively underrated Texas city where diversity creates an cultural explosion unlike anywhere else in the South. This sprawling metropolis serves up the most diverse food scene in America, a museum district that could keep you busy for days, and enough space history to satisfy your inner astronaut without ever feeling touristy.
Space Center Houston isn’t just another science museum. This official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center lets you literally touch moon rocks, tour mission control where “Houston, we have a problem” was first heard, and see actual spacecraft that have returned from orbit. For culture without the crowds, the Museum District packs 19 world-class institutions into a walkable area with highlights like the mind-bending Menil Collection that houses priceless art in a completely free museum.
Southwest Airlines typically runs around $175 roundtrip on this one. United is worth checking too, since Houston is one of their hubs and they’ll sometimes match on basic economy. March stands out as the optimal time to visit with wildflower season in bloom and perfect temperatures before summer humidity makes outdoor exploration challenging.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Houston
12. St. Louis to Tampa ($115–$260 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Delta (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: October to December 🌴 and April to May 🌞 for beach-perfect weather
- 🏆 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, water sports enthusiasts 🏄♀️, food adventurers 🍽️
Tampa is that perfect Gulf Coast escape where Florida sunshine meets surprisingly vibrant urban culture. This bayside beauty serves up pristine beaches within easy reach of downtown, a restaurant scene influenced by its Cuban heritage, and water adventures that range from dolphin spotting to paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels.
Tampa Riverwalk transformed the downtown waterfront into a 2.6-mile outdoor paradise where public art, parks, and restaurants connect the city’s cultural highlights into one walkable experience. For beach vibes without leaving the city, Davis Islands offers hidden shorelines with downtown skyline views where locals paddleboard alongside dolphins in Tampa Bay.
Frontier Airlines frequently drops fares below $125 roundtrip when booked during flash sales. Southwest costs more upfront and no longer throws in free bags, but you get a free carry-on and no penalty if you need to move your dates, which is worth something during hurricane season. November hits that perfect temperature balance with minimal rain, hurricane season winding down, and significantly fewer tourists than winter high season.
- Read Next: Cheapest Airports to Fly Into Florida
13. St. Louis to Charlotte ($110–$230 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Southwest, Delta (multiple daily direct flights)
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June 🌸 and September to November 🍂 for mild temperatures
- 🏆 Perfect for: City explorers 🏙️, outdoor adventurers 🌳, craft beer lovers 🍺
Charlotte is that perfect-sized city that’s blowing up right now but somehow still flies under most people’s radar. This banking hub turned cultural hotspot delivers neighborhoods with totally different vibes, an outdoor scene that’s accessible year-round, and a craft brewery explosion that’s turning the city into the South’s beer capital.
NoDa (North Davidson) is Charlotte’s arts district where former textile mills now house breweries, galleries, and live music venues packed with locals who look like they just walked off an Urban Outfitters photo shoot. For outdoor vibes without leaving the city, the U.S. National Whitewater Center offers manufactured rapids where Olympic athletes train alongside regular people trying not to embarrass themselves, plus miles of mountain biking trails and the world’s largest man-made climbing wall.
American Airlines uses Charlotte as a major hub with fares often dropping below $100 roundtrip during sales. May is prime visiting time with perfect temperatures and flowering trees throughout the city without summer humidity or crowds.
- Read Next: Budget-Friendly Flights from Charlotte
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
