12 Cheapest Places to Fly in Summer 2026 (World Cup Included!)

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I’ve been hunting cheap flights for over a decade, and I’ve never seen a summer with this much going on. Between the World Cup hitting US cities, America’s 250th birthday, and a total solar eclipse in Iceland, 2026 is stacked with reasons to travel. So I looked into routes, fares, and airline trends to find the cheapest places to fly this summer.

The timing couldn’t be better for budget travelers. Spirit and Frontier are in an all-out fare war, JetBlue just launched new routes to San Juan, and Icelandair is running sales to fill seats ahead of the eclipse. Beach trip? Major sporting event? Once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon? Here are 12 of the cheapest places to fly in summer 2026.

#1 tip for finding cheap flights in the summer

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In 2025 alone, I saved thousands of dollars thanks to their email alerts. This includes a $249 roundtrip from Boston to Paris and a $147 roundtrip to Cancún. On average, I save over $350 on transatlantic flights and $200 on domestic ones. With summer 2026 shaping up to be one of the best travel seasons in years, signing up now means you’ll catch deals as airlines drop prices for World Cup routes and new summer service.

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1. 🌴 Miami, Florida ($100–$220 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Three airports (MIA, FLL, PBI) create competition, which means lower fares
• ⚽ 2026 Factor: FIFA World Cup host city with 7 matches including Brazil vs. Scotland and the Bronze Final
• 💡 Pro Tip: Fly into Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami International to save $30 to $50

Miami is hands down the easiest cheap flight in America. Spirit and JetBlue both have a huge presence here, Southwest floods routes from the Midwest, and I regularly see roundtrips under $150 from most major cities. Book around six weeks out and you’ll almost always land a good deal.

This summer has an added bonus: the FIFA World Cup. Hard Rock Stadium is hosting seven matches, including Brazil vs. Scotland, Portugal vs. Colombia, and the Bronze Final on July 18. Miami has massive Brazilian, Colombian, and Argentine communities, so expect the whole city to feel like a giant watch party. Even if you don’t score stadium tickets, catching a game from a packed Wynwood bar is an experience in itself.

As for the city, it delivers. I love South Beach for the Art Deco architecture and people-watching, but Key Biscayne is my pick if you want a quieter beach day. Wynwood is still the best free street art you’ll see anywhere, and the Cuban coffee in Little Havana is worth the trip alone. Summer does mean afternoon storms, but they pass quickly, so just plan your beach time for mornings.

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2. 🔔 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ($80–$180 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Frontier, Spirit, Southwest
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: American’s hub status means tons of competition, and Frontier is aggressively expanding here
• 🇺🇸 2026 Factor: America’s 250th birthday celebrations centered here, plus a World Cup knockout match ON July 4th
• 💡 Pro Tip: New direct routes to Budapest and Prague launch May 2026 if you want to extend the trip to Europe

Philadelphia might be the single best value destination in America this summer. Frontier regularly drops fares under $40 from Florida and the Southeast, American competes hard to protect its hub, and Spirit fills in the gaps. I’ve seen roundtrips from Chicago and Atlanta dip below $100 more times than I can count.

But here’s what makes summer 2026 unmissable: this is where America was born, and the country is throwing itself a massive 250th birthday party. The Wawa Welcome America festival runs from Juneteenth through July 4th with free concerts, fireworks over the Art Museum, and events across the city. And on the actual anniversary, July 4th 2026, there’s a World Cup Round of 16 match at Lincoln Financial Field. France, Brazil, and Croatia all play group stage games here too.

I genuinely think Philly is underrated as a travel destination. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are obvious must-dos, but I love wandering through Reading Terminal Market for breakfast, catching the murals scattered across the city, and yes, grabbing a cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s. The whole place has this scrappy, unpretentious energy that’s hard not to love. If you’re going to be anywhere in America on July 4th 2026, make it Philadelphia.

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3. 🤠 Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas ($70–$160 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Frontier, Spirit, Southwest
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Two major airports means fierce competition; Frontier regularly drops fares under $40 from most cities
• ⚽ 2026 Factor: Nine World Cup matches (the most of any venue!) including England vs Croatia, Argentina twice, and a semifinal
• 💡 Pro Tip: Stay in Arlington to be close to the stadium, but book early because hotels will fill up fast

If you want maximum World Cup for your money, Dallas is where it’s at. No other city is hosting more matches than AT&T Stadium, and the lineup is stacked. Argentina plays twice here, England faces Croatia in a rematch of their 2018 semifinal, and the Netherlands takes on Japan. Plus, there’s a semifinal on July 14th. You could literally spend a month in Dallas and catch world class soccer every few days.

The flight deals here are ridiculous. DFW is American’s largest hub, which means they have to price competitively against Southwest over at Love Field, and Frontier and Spirit are constantly undercutting everyone. I’ve seen $56 roundtrips from Chicago and sub-$100 fares from most places in the country. The airport situation is a huge advantage for budget travelers.

Fair warning: Dallas in summer is hot. But AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof and air conditioning, and honestly, the Tex-Mex and BBQ are worth sweating for. Hit up the Deep Ellum neighborhood for live music, check out the Perot Museum’s soccer exhibition running through September, and don’t skip Fort Worth’s Stockyards if you want a dose of cowboy culture.

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4. 🌴 Los Angeles, California ($100–$220 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: LAX is massive and every carrier wants market share
• 🎬 2026 Factor: New LACMA building opens April, Universal’s first outdoor coaster launches, plus eight World Cup matches
• 💡 Pro Tip: Fly into Burbank instead of LAX for shorter lines and easier access to Hollywood and the east side

LA isn’t the cheapest city to visit, but getting there can be surprisingly affordable. The sheer size of LAX means airlines are constantly competing, and budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier run sub-$100 roundtrips from most Western cities. Southwest is worth checking too since their free checked bags can offset a slightly higher fare.

Summer 2026 has a few things worth timing your trip around. LACMA’s controversial new building finally opens in April after years of construction. The US Men’s National Team plays their World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium on June 12th, with seven more matches through July if you’re into soccer. Universal also drops their first high-speed outdoor roller coaster, which feels overdue for a park that’s been coaster-light for years.

My advice? LA rewards slow exploration more than rushing around to hit landmarks. Pick a neighborhood, whether that’s Venice, Silver Lake, or Los Feliz, and just spend a day walking, eating, and people-watching. The traffic is as bad as everyone says, but the tacos are as good as everyone says too.

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5. 🍖 Kansas City, Missouri ($60–$150 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Spirit
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Smaller airport with less demand means consistently low fares from most major hubs
• ⚽ 2026 Factor: Six World Cup matches including Argentina, the Netherlands, and a quarterfinal on July 11th
• 💡 Pro Tip: The city straddles Missouri and Kansas, so check which state your hotel is in for tax purposes

Kansas City is a destination that flies under the radar until you actually visit. The BBQ alone is worth the trip, and I’m not exaggerating. This is a city with over 100 barbecue joints, each with strong opinions about sauce, smoke, and burnt ends. You could eat your way through town for a week and barely scratch the surface.

Flights here tend to be cheap because MCI doesn’t have the crazy demand of coastal airports. Frontier runs $56 roundtrips from Denver regularly, and Southwest has solid coverage from most of their hubs. Spirit also flies here if you’re willing to pack light and bring your own snacks.

The World Cup adds some extra appeal for summer 2026. Argentina plays their first match here on June 16th, which means Messi fans will descend on Arrowhead Stadium. The Netherlands and a quarterfinal are also on the schedule. But honestly, even without soccer, KC in summer is a good time. The free Shakespeare festival runs through early July, there are BBQ competitions most weekends, and the jazz heritage in the 18th and Vine district gives the city a musical soul that bigger cities sometimes lack.

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6. 🌬️ Chicago, Illinois ($50–$140 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Spirit
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Two major airports create fierce competition, and Midway is a Southwest fortress
• 🛣️ 2026 Factor: Route 66 Centennial kicks off here (it’s the starting point), plus the Obama Presidential Center opens
• 💡 Pro Tip: Fly into Midway instead of O’Hare for cheaper fares and a quicker trip downtown via the Orange Line

Chicago in summer is one of the best urban experiences in America, hands down. The lakefront opens up, every neighborhood throws a street festival, and you can spend entire weekends bouncing between free events like Blues Fest and the Chosen Few Picnic. Lollapalooza takes over Grant Park in late July if that’s your scene, and even if it’s not, the city’s energy during festival season is infectious.

The flight prices here are excellent because you have options. Midway is basically a Southwest hub, which keeps prices honest, and Frontier runs cheap routes into both airports. I’ve seen $46 roundtrips from Atlanta and sub-$60 fares from most major cities. The two-airport situation means you should always compare before booking.

Summer 2026 has some extra appeal. Chicago is the official starting point of Route 66, and the centennial celebrations will run all year with special signage, events, and cultural programming. The Obama Presidential Center finally opens on the South Side, which is a big deal for the city. John Mulaney is doing the first ever comedy show at Wrigley Field in July. And the WNBA All-Star Game comes to the United Center on July 25th. There’s a lot happening, basically, and flights are cheap enough that you could easily do a long weekend without breaking the bank.

7. 🏝️ San Juan, Puerto Rico ($130–$200 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: No passport needed means massive demand, which means heavy competition from budget carriers
• 🎉 2026 Factor: JetBlue launches 5 new routes in March (including daily Philly service), plus the Piña Colada Festival returns July 10–12
• 💡 Pro Tip: Summer is off-peak season – hotel prices drop significantly compared to winter

San Juan is the best Caribbean deal you can get without leaving the country. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you don’t need a passport, your phone plan works normally, and you can breeze through domestic security. That convenience has made it wildly popular, which in turn has brought big airline competition. Frontier alone flies direct from 23 cities, and JetBlue treats San Juan as a major hub.

The flights aren’t quite as cheap as domestic mainland routes, but for Caribbean beaches and culture, the value is hard to beat. Spirit and Frontier regularly run sub-$200 roundtrips from East Coast cities, and JetBlue’s expanding presence keeps prices honest even on their nicer planes. The new routes launching in spring 2026 should push fares down even further, especially from Philadelphia, Jacksonville, and Buffalo.

Summer is technically hurricane season, but it’s also when prices crater. Hotels that charge $300 a night in February drop to $120 in June. Old San Juan’s colorful streets, the massive El Morro fortress, and the bioluminescent bays aren’t going anywhere, and you’ll share them with far fewer tourists. If you want a rainforest day trip, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system and it’s less than an hour from the city. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast and you’ll be fine.

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8. 🦞 Boston, Massachusetts ($80–$160 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: JetBlue’s home turf, so everyone else fights hard on price
• 🎆 2026 Factor: Sail Boston (July 11–16), America’s 250th anniversary events all summer
• 💡 Pro Tip: The Freedom Trail is free and self-guided, don’t pay for a tour

I live here, so trust me when I say summer 2026 is going to be special. The 250th anniversary celebrations run all year, but July is the main event. Sail Boston brings tall ships from 25+ countries into the harbor from July 11–16, and last time in 2017, crowds packed the waterfront for days. This one will be bigger, with reenactments of Paul Revere’s ride, concerts, and fireworks over the harbor.

Flights into Boston are cheap because JetBlue dominates Logan and forces Spirit and Frontier to compete hard. I see sub-$100 roundtrips from most East Coast cities regularly, and the airport is a 20-minute Blue Line ride from downtown. There’s no need for cabs or rental cars.

The city isn’t cheap to eat and drink in, but summer here is about being outside. I recommend walking the Freedom Trail, watching the ships come in from Castle Island, catching a free concert at the Hatch Shell, and grabbing a cannoli in the North End. If you’re coming during Sail Boston week, book your hotel early. Rooms will fill up fast and prices will spike once people realize what’s happening.

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9. 🌋 Reykjavik, Iceland ($350–$550 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Icelandair, Delta, United
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Icelandair runs frequent sales to fill seats in shoulder season
• 🌑 2026 Factor: Total solar eclipse on August 12, the first visible from Iceland since 1954
• 💡 Pro Tip: Sign up for Icelandair’s email list, sales pop up regularly

I’m including Iceland because August 2026 has something you can’t see anywhere else. On the 12th, a total solar eclipse will cross the country, the first since 1954 and the last until 2196. There’s already a festival planned on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and the timing overlaps with the Perseid meteor shower. If you’ve ever wanted to watch the sun disappear, this is the trip.

Flights aren’t as cheap as domestic routes, but Icelandair runs sales often enough that you can find roundtrips from the East Coast in the $350–$400 range if you’re flexible. Boston and New York have the most frequent service, and the flight is only about five hours. Sign up for fare alerts and be ready to book when prices drop.

Iceland is expensive once you land, especially food and alcohol. But summer is the best time to visit anyway because of the long daylight hours and mild weather. If you rent a car and camp instead of hotels, you can cut costs significantly. The Golden Circle, the waterfalls, and the black sand beaches are the real draw, and you don’t need a fancy hotel to enjoy them.

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10. 🐟 Lisbon, Portugal ($400–$550 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: TAP Air Portugal, United, Delta
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: TAP runs direct flights from multiple US cities and prices aggressively to fill planes
• 🎉 2026 Factor: Santo António festival June 12–13, NOS Alive music festival July 9–11 with Foo Fighters and Florence + The Machine
• 💡 Pro Tip: Fly midweek in May or September and you’ll save 20% over peak summer dates

Lisbon is one of the cheapest European capitals to fly into from the US, and it’s even cheaper once you land. TAP Air Portugal runs direct routes from Newark, Boston, Miami, and a handful of other cities, and they drop fares regularly to compete with connecting flights through London or Paris. I’ve found roundtrips from the East Coast in the $400 range when booking a few months out.

I recommend visiting Lisbon in June if you want to see the city at its most alive. The Santo António festival on June 12–13 turns the old neighborhoods into one giant street party with grilled sardines, wine, and dancing until sunrise. Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Mouraria fill with locals and tourists eating sardines on bread and watching the parade down Avenida da Liberdade. If you’re more into music festivals, NOS Alive runs July 9-11 with a lineup that includes Foo Fighters, Florence + The Machine, and Twenty One Pilots.

The city itself is affordable compared to Paris or London. You can eat well for €10, ride the metro for €1.50, and find decent hotels for under €100 a night. The hills are brutal in summer heat, so pace yourself and take the old trams when your legs give out. The beaches at Cascais are a 30-minute train ride away if you need a break from cobblestones.

11. 🌴 Cancún, Mexico ($150–$300 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Frontier, Spirit, Southwest
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Budget carriers battle for spring break crowds, and the competition lasts year-round
• 🐢 2026 Factor: Baby sea turtles hatch in July, whale shark season runs May through September
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book an all-inclusive in June when rates are lowest and the weather is still reliable

Cancún is usually the cheapest international beach trip you can take from the US, and summer is when the deals get ridiculous. I’m talking $150 roundtrips from Texas, $200 from Chicago, all-inclusives under $150 a night. Frontier and Spirit fly from a dozen cities, and Southwest’s free checked bags make them worth checking even when the base fare looks higher.

Summer has its own draws beyond the price. Whale shark season runs May through September, and swimming alongside these gentle giants off Isla Holbox is one of my most memorable wildlife experiences. July is when baby sea turtles hatch and make their run to the ocean, and you can volunteer with conservation groups or watch from the beach at night. The water is bathtub warm, the cenotes inland are refreshing, and the Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichén Itzá are less mobbed than in winter.

Yes, it rains in summer, but usually in short afternoon bursts that clear up within an hour. The real crowd-beater is going in June before hurricane season peaks, when you get summer prices without the August humidity. Stay in the Hotel Zone for convenience, or base yourself in Playa del Carmen if you want something more walkable with better food.

12. 🌋 San Salvador, El Salvador ($150–$250 roundtrip)

• ✈️ Cheapest Airlines: Spirit, Avianca, Volaris El Salvador
• 🔥 Why So Cheap: Central America’s smallest country is still under the radar for most US travelers
• 🏄 2026 Factor: WSL Punta Roca Pro (late May/early June), Fiestas Agostinas (August 1–6)
• 💡 Pro Tip: The US dollar is the official currency, so no exchange fees or confusion

El Salvador is one of the most underrated destinations in the Americas right now. Spirit flies direct from Fort Lauderdale for under $150 roundtrip, and Avianca runs frequent sales from Houston and LA. You’ll land in a country that runs on dollars, feels genuinely welcoming, and costs a fraction of what you’d spend in Costa Rica.

Summer is prime time for the surf coast. May through October brings the best swells to El Tunco and Punta Roca, two of the best breaks in Central America. The WSL Championship Tour makes a stop at Punta Roca in late May 2026. Even if you don’t surf, the black sand beaches, $3 pupusas, and hostel scene make El Tunco worth the trip.

For something completely different, visit during Fiestas Agostinas from August 1-6. San Salvador erupts into the country’s biggest celebration with parades, street food, carnival rides, and fireworks. It’s loud, chaotic, and one of the most authentic festival experiences you’ll find anywhere.

Beyond the coast, there’s a lot to explore. The Santa Ana volcano hike ends at a turquoise crater lake. The Ruta de las Flores winds through coffee towns with weekend food festivals. Hostels run $10–15 a night and meals rarely top $5. I can’t recommend it enough!