Looking for affordable summer travel? I’ve got you covered! I analyzed 105 flight routes from the United States to find the absolute cheapest places to fly in summer 2025. 🌞✈️ Whether you’re after stunning beaches, vibrant cities, or off-the-beaten-path escapes, these destinations will let you explore without breaking the bank. From popular spots to hidden gems, I’ve scouted the most wallet-friendly routes that still deliver unforgettable travel experiences. Get ready to pack your bags and make the most of summer 2025!
#1 tip for finding cheap flights in the summer
Looking for cheap flights tis summer? Here’s a quick and effective tip to save money on airfare…For the past 4 years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to find amazing flight deals. All you have to do is enter in your home airport and where you want to go, and they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. And the best part? It’s FREE!
In 2024 alone, I saved thousands of dollars thanks to their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $249 roundtrip fare from Boston to Paris. On average, I save over $350 roundtrip on transatlantic flights and $200 on domestic ones. So, I couldn’t recommend them more!
If you’re a frequent traveler, 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 14-day free trial (which you can cancel at any time) to test it out for yourself.
- Want to save money on airfare? Use my discount code Jon20 on the premium version to save 20%!
Other considerations when finding cheap places to fly to over the summer
To find the cheapest places to fly in the summer, I limited my search from major airports in the US. Sure, some small airports can have decent flight options. However, more likely than not, you’ll be connecting at a larger US airport (i.e., Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, or NYC) before heading somewhere internationally (or elsewhere in the US).
As such, it’s more practical to use data from larger US airports, which handle the vast majority of domestic and international flights. Smaller airports have fewer daily flights and higher variability in prices. So, it doesn’t make sense to include them when analyzing the cheapest places to fly this July or August.
Note that prices can vary immensely between different U.S. cities. For example, a flight to Reykjavik will cost more if you’re traveling from the west coast vs. east coast. If you’re looking to visit Europe or South America from a secondary airport like Oakland CA, you may have to connect somewhere and pay a little more. Or, you’ll fly out of San Francisco instead. The price of a roundtrip fare may be different, but the cheapest destinations to fly over the summer should remain the same.
One other important point: because July is considered the most expensive month to travel, most of the flights in this article are applicable to that month. As such, these aren’t just the best cheap flight over the summer, they are the cheapest places to fly in July!
From the tropics to the Arctic Circle, here are the cheapest places to fly to in the summer of 2025.
Cheapest places to fly in summer 2025: Cities and destinations with cheap flight deals
Below are the cheapest roundtrip flights in the summer that you should add to your 2025 wish list. Each of these destinations are trending over 50% cheaper than in prior years, so don’t wait on these flight deals!
1. Miami, Florida ($100–$220 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: Spirit, American, JetBlue (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach enthusiasts, nightlife lovers, art scene explorers, budget ballers
Sun-drenched and vibrant, Miami is not just for the rich and famous anymore. Summer is serving major budget-friendly energy for this iconic Florida hotspot.
South Beach transforms in summer from tourist zoo to surprisingly chill playground where you can actually snag beachfront lounge chairs without fighting the winter crowds. The kaleidoscopic streets of Wynwood become your own personal art gallery with wall-to-wall murals perfect for photoshoots without random tourists ruining your shots. The best part? The beautiful beaches of Key Biscayne and North Beach almost cost you nothing.
For the best flight deals, check out Spirit if you’re traveling light or watch for JetBlue’s flash sales that drop fares below $120 roundtrip.
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2. San Francisco, California ($150–$240 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: United, Alaska, Southwest (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Fog chasers, foodie adventurers, tech tourists, city hikers
San Francisco flips the script on summer travel. While other cities melt, this one stays cool, breezy, and packed with things to do.
Catch the Golden Gate Bridge peeking through the fog for that iconic postcard shot. In the Mission District, grab street tacos and check out massive murals before lounging in Dolores Park with a skyline view. Explore Golden Gate Park, which is even bigger than Central Park and packed with gardens, lakes, and bison. Don’t leave without dim sum in Chinatown or a sourdough bowl of clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Flights often dip below $180 roundtrip if you book with Alaska or United about six weeks ahead. Expect temps around 65°F and daily weather mood swings. Locals call the fog “Karl,” so bring a jacket and be ready to layer up. This city was built for summer exploring without breaking a sweat.
- Read next: Best San Francisco Airbnb
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3. Reykjavik, Iceland ($310–$440 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: Icelandair, PLAY Airlines, Delta (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Midnight sun chasers, hot spring soakers, road trip adventurers, nature photographers
Reykjavik gives you 24 hours of daylight, unreal volcanic landscapes, and geothermal hot springs that look straight out of sci-fi. And yes, summer flights are way cheaper than you’d think.
Start with the famous Blue Lagoon, or skip the crowds and head to Sky Lagoon, where the infinity pool overlooks the ocean. Drive the Golden Circle to catch thundering waterfalls, geysers, and wide-open lava fields in a single loop. In town, explore colorful streets, cozy coffee shops, and the otherworldly Hallgrímskirkja church. Nightlife goes until 4am in full daylight, and locals make the most of it.
Snag deals with PLAY Airlines, where roundtrip fares often dip under $350 if you pack light and book 6–8 weeks out.
- Read next: Instagrammable Places in Iceland
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4. Las Vegas, Nevada ($120–$200 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: Spirit, Frontier, Southwest (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Pool party people, night owls, entertainment seekers, budget gamblers
Las Vegas goes on sale in summer. Flights drop, hotel rates fall, and the city cranks up the energy to match the heat. If you can handle triple-digit temps, you’ll get the wildest pool parties and biggest nightlife for a fraction of peak-season prices.
The Strip becomes a daytime party zone with spots like Encore Beach Club and Marquee throwing poolside ragers set to live DJ sets. Inside, casinos are ice-cold and always buzzing. At night, ride the High Roller for skyline views that glow like a neon circuit board. Everyone thinks Vegas is expensive, but you can still find decent buffets under $30 and tons of free attractions like the Bellagio Fountains that are seriously impressive.
Summer flights can drop below $100 roundtrip on Spirit and Frontier if you pack super light, or pay a bit more for Southwest with their free bags policy.
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5. Chicago, Illinois ($140–$230 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: United, American, Southwest (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: City explorers, food enthusiasts, architecture buffs, lakefront lovers
Chicago is ridiculously cheap to fly to in summer when this freezing winter city finally thaws out and gets fun. This place completely transforms with beaches, festivals, and outdoor dining that make it feel like a whole different city than its winter version.
Millennium Park is home to the famous Bean sculpture that everyone takes photos with, while the nearby Chicago Riverwalk is lined with bars and restaurants where you can watch boats cruise past. Lake Michigan beaches like North Avenue and Oak Street give you perfect swimming spots with skyline views that don’t even look real. The food scene is legendary from deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s to loaded Chicago dogs at Portillo’s that locals are weirdly passionate about.
Summer brings cheap flights on all major airlines, with Southwest and United often battling for the lowest fares from most cities.
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6. San Juan, Puerto Rico ($180–$270 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: JetBlue, Spirit, United (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers, history buffs, food enthusiasts, no-passport travelers
San Juan is one of the cheapest tropical escapes for U.S. travelers looking for island vibes without international hassles. No passport needed, no currency exchange, and your phone plan still works.
Old San Juan brings the color with blue cobblestone streets, rainbow-hued buildings, and massive historic forts like El Morro and San Cristobal that overlook the crashing Atlantic. Condado Beach has that perfect mix of soft sand and city energy, while La Placita comes alive at night with cheap drinks, street music, and a crowd that knows how to party.
Fly JetBlue from most East Coast cities for under $200 roundtrip if you book six to eight weeks ahead and travel midweek. Summer brings 85 to 90°F heat and the occasional rain shower, but you’ll get better hotel deals and far fewer tourists than in winter. Every dollar you spend also supports local businesses during the slower season.
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7. San Diego, California ($160–$250 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: Southwest, Alaska, United (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach bums, taco enthusiasts, zoo lovers, craft beer fans
San Diego is a summer steal with nonstop sun, laid-back beach vibes, and flight deals that blow pricier California cities out of the water.
La Jolla Cove is where you can spot sea lions lounging on rocks and snorkel with bright orange Garibaldi fish in protected waters. Coronado Beach has that perfect golden sand and the iconic red-roofed Hotel Del Coronado that’s been in countless movies. The Gaslamp Quarter is packed with rooftop bars and restaurants where you can sample the city’s epic craft beer scene with over 150 breweries in the area. Don’t miss Balboa Park, which is like Central Park but with museums, gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Summer brings consistent flight deals on Southwest and Alaska Airlines, often below $200 roundtrip if you book 6-8 weeks ahead.
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8. Asheville, North Carolina ($170–$260 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: American, Delta, Allegiant (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Mountain lovers, craft beer enthusiasts, foodie explorers, outdoorsy types
Asheville is one of the cheapest summer mountain escapes in the U.S., with flight deals that rival bigger cities and way better weather. This artsy mountain town gives you breweries, Blue Ridge views, and serious food culture without the crowds or cost of major metro areas.
Downtown is buzzing with street performers, art galleries, and more breweries per capita than anywhere in the country. Hit up spots like Wicked Weed and New Belgium for cold IPAs and people-watching patios. Just outside town, the Blue Ridge Parkway delivers sweeping mountain views and shaded hiking trails perfect for escaping the heat. For something iconic, tour the Biltmore Estate, complete with gardens, a vineyard, and jaw-dropping architecture.
Summer flights on American and Delta often stay under $200 roundtrip when booked six to eight weeks ahead. Expect highs around 80°F, cool nights, and perfect conditions for kayaking, mountain biking, or sipping beer with a view.
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9. Cancun, Mexico ($210–$320 roundtrip)
- 🛫 Airlines: Spirit, JetBlue, United (usually nonstop or with 1 stop)
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers, cenote explorers, party people, off-season deal hunters
Cancun is one of the cheapest tropical escapes in summer thanks to low-season prices and nonstop sunshine. You get powder-white beaches, warm Caribbean water, and hotel deals that crush winter rates.
Playa Delfines is the go-to beach for locals, with wide stretches of sand, fewer crowds, and the iconic Cancun sign. Take a ferry to Isla Mujeres, rent a golf cart, and loop the island in a few hours with a stop at North Beach, where the water looks like glass. For something unique, swim in cenotes like Ik Kil or Dos Ojos, natural freshwater pools once considered sacred by the Maya.
Flights drop hard during summer with Spirit offering the cheapest fares if you pack light. JetBlue is more comfortable and still affordable if you book six to eight weeks ahead.
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