Finding a cheap flight is the difference between a trip you book and a trip you keep meaning to book. I’ve spent years hunting these deals, and after 73 countries I’ve gotten good at spotting where the prices drop. The deals move around, so the trick is knowing where they are at any given moment.
I’ve flown to Europe for under $200 roundtrip and to Asia for under $400. Below are nine of the cheapest places to fly right now, a mix of quick domestic escapes, beach getaways, and a few international steals. Pick one, set a fare alert, and you could be somewhere new for less than a weekend at home costs!
A Cheap Flight Hack Worth Knowing
If Europe is on your list, look at Icelandair before you book a nonstop. They let you add a stopover in Iceland for up to a week at no extra airfare, so you basically get two trips for the price of one. It’s a great way to see Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, or the waterfalls on the Ring Road without paying for a separate flight. Just add the stopover when you book, and budget for Iceland being pricey once you land.
#1 tip for finding cheap flights right now
Want alerts on the cheapest flight deals straight to your inbox? Sign up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), a membership-based service that finds huge discounts, mistake fares, and points and miles deals. They regularly turn up deals like Boston to Marrakech roundtrip for as low as $388, well below the usual rate. All you have to do is enter your home airport and where you want to go.
There’s a free and a premium version, and the free one has pretty much everything you’ll need. If you travel a lot it’s worth the $49 a year, and if you usually fly business or premium economy, the Going Elite tier hunts down those same deals up front. I’d start with the free trial, and if you like it, use my code JON25 for 25% off your membership!
1. Las Vegas, Nevada ($75–$180 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 1-5 hours with direct flights from most major U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Frontier, Southwest, Allegiant (usually cheapest via mid-week flights)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Major airport hub 🌐, tons of low-cost carriers ✈️, competitive domestic routes 🏆, casino subsidies 🎰
- 🔥 Perfect for: Weekend travelers 🗓️, entertainment seekers 🎭, convention attendees 👔, budget gamblers 🎲
Las Vegas tops the list with crazy-cheap fares from basically everywhere in America. This desert playground is literally designed to get you there without emptying your wallet before you even arrive.
The Las Vegas Strip packs everything from the Eiffel Tower to Egyptian pyramids into one walkable stretch, while Fremont Street downtown offers cheaper gambling and that famous light show overhead. Beyond casinos, you can catch Cirque du Soleil shows or escape to Red Rock Canyon for those hiking photos that’ll make everyone think you’re outdoorsy.
Score fares as low as $75-$100 roundtrip by flying Tuesday/Wednesday during May or October when the weather’s perfect and hotel rates often drop below $50/night mid-week.
- Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Las Vegas
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- For more reading: Best Airports in Las Vegas
2. Reykjavik, Iceland ($290–$450 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 5-7 hours, with nonstops from Newark, Boston, and other East Coast hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Icelandair, Delta, JetBlue (United flies nonstop from Newark)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Short transatlantic hop, free stopover deals, competitive East Coast routes
- 🔥 Perfect for: Nature lovers, road trippers, weekend-in-Europe seekers
Iceland is the closest slice of Europe to the US, and from the East Coast it’s barely longer than a domestic cross-country flight. With PLAY now out of the picture, Icelandair is the main carrier on this route, and the good news is the fares are still reasonable, especially from Newark, Boston, and other eastern hubs. Roundtrips often land between $400 and $600 outside peak summer.
What makes Iceland such a smart booking is the free stopover. Icelandair lets you break a Europe trip with up to a week in Iceland at no extra airfare, so you can tack on the Blue Lagoon, the waterfalls along the Ring Road, and a few nights in Reykjavik before carrying on. Go in spring or fall for lower prices and a real shot at the Northern Lights.
Just budget carefully once you land, because Iceland is expensive on the ground. Renting a car and stocking up at a grocery store rather than eating every meal out is how you keep the trip affordable. The flight is the cheap part!
- Read next: Best Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland
- You may also like: Iceland Road Trip Itinerary
- For more reading: Best Airbnbs in Iceland
- Keep reading: Unique Travel Experiences
3. Miami, Florida ($98–$225 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 1-6 hours with direct flights from most major U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Frontier, JetBlue, American (best deals often Tuesday-Wednesday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Major airline hub 🏆, intense carrier competition ✈️, Florida tourism push 🏝️, shoulder season deals 🌴
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, nightlife enthusiasts 🕺, art scene explorers 🎨, winter escapees ☀️
Miami has always been bold, but right now it’s also one of the cheapest warm-weather destinations you can fly to. Flights are low, the sun’s high, and you get beaches, art, and culture packed into one photogenic, palm-lined package.
South Beach still nails the classic experience with art deco hotels and wild people-watching along Ocean Drive, but neighborhoods like Wynwood and the Design District are where the real flavor lives. Murals, microbreweries, rooftop bars, Cuban coffee, and croquetas — it’s all here, and it’s all walkable. Little Havana adds depth with historic cafés and music on nearly every corner.
Score those $98-$150 deals by targeting September and October when hurricane season is winding down but winter tourists haven’t arrived.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap 2026 Flights:
It’s almost summer, so flight prices are climbing fast - but you don't have to pay them. I’m currently seeing roundtrips to Europe for under $350 (deals you won’t find on Google Flights).
Step 1: Join Going.com's Free Plan here. It takes 10 seconds and requires no credit card.
Step 2: If you're doing a big trip this year, grab the 14-day free trial of Premium. You can even use my code JON25 for 25% off.
Seriously, this is the single best money-saving tool I’ve used in 10+ years.
👉 Send me cheap 2026 flights- Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Miami
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4. Costa Rica ($240–$420 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 3-7 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: JetBlue, Frontier, United (best deals via connections or midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Tourism competition 🏆, expanded route networks ✈️, shoulder season incentives 🌴, sustainable travel push 🌿
- 🔥 Perfect for: Adventure seekers 🌋, wildlife enthusiasts 🦥, beach lovers 🏝️, jungle explorers 🌴
Costa Rica is weirdly cheap to fly to right now with budget airlines fighting over routes to both San Jose and Liberia airports. This place packs insane nature, adventure, and beaches into a country the size of West Virginia.
The Arenal Volcano area is where you’ll find those Instagram-worthy hot springs and zip lines through the jungle, while beaches like Manuel Antonio let you chill with monkeys and sloths literally hanging out behind you. Surfing at Tamarindo or rafting the Pacuare River delivers adventure without the Asia/Australia flight time and jet lag.
Find those $240-$320 deals during September to November when it’s still a bit rainy but not a washout.
- Read next: Best Places to Fly Into in Costa Rica
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5. Paris, France ($280–$480 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 7-10 hours with direct flights from major U.S. hubs
- 🛫 Best Airlines: French Bee, Norse Atlantic, TAP Portugal (best deals via connections)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: New budget carriers 🏆, shoulder season deals 🗼
- 🔥 Perfect for: Food lovers 🥐, art enthusiasts 🎨, romantics 💕, first-time Europe travelers 🧳
Paris is cheaper to reach than most people expect, since airlines added a lot of transatlantic capacity in recent years and much of it has stuck around. That competition keeps fares from the East Coast reasonable, with off-peak roundtrips sometimes dropping near $400.
The big sights earn their reputation, so see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but leave time to just wander. Montmartre’s cobbled streets and the cafes of the Marais are where the city actually feels like Paris, and a market street like Rue Cler is the cheap, delicious way to eat between museums. A picnic with bread and cheese by the Seine beats most restaurant meals on both price and atmosphere.
Visit in March, April, or October for mild weather and noticeably lower hotel rates than the summer peak. For the best fares, set an alert and book two to three months ahead, midweek if you can.
- Read next: Best Paris Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
6. Cancun, Mexico ($160–$320 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 2-5 hours with direct flights from most major U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Frontier, JetBlue, Delta (best deals often Tuesday-Thursday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Massive tourism infrastructure 🏆, intense airline competition ✈️, package deal incentives 🏨, year-round demand 🌴
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, all-inclusive fans 🍹, party seekers 🕺, winter escapees ☀️
Cancun constantly ranks as one of the cheapest international getaways from the U.S. With over 200 daily flights and nonstop budget airline wars, it’s hard to beat this kind of value.
The Hotel Zone is where you’ll find those perfect white sand beaches and water so turquoise it looks fake. Take a day trip to Tulum for those boho beach clubs everyone posts about or the ancient Chichen Itza pyramid to add some culture to your stories. When you need a break from resort life, Downtown Cancun offers way more authentic vibes with local markets and street food that’ll make you question why you ever ate at the hotel buffet.
When it comes to flights, Frontier usually has the rock-bottom fares, or go with JetBlue if you want a bit more comfort without the premium price tag.
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7. San Francisco Bay Area, California ($90–$200 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 1-6 hours with direct flights from most major U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Alaska, Southwest, United (best deals often Tuesday-Wednesday)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Multiple airports 🏆, intense airline competition ✈️, tech travel slump 💻, pandemic recovery incentives 🌁
- 🔥 Perfect for: Foodies 🍽️, tech enthusiasts 💻, outdoor lovers 🌉, wine enthusiasts 🍷
San Francisco is a major hub with constant competition from United, Alaska, and the low-cost carriers, which keeps domestic fares down, especially midweek and in the fall. Roundtrips from across the country regularly land in the low $200s when you book ahead.
The city packs a lot into a small, walkable footprint. Ride a cable car, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, and wander Golden Gate Park, which is bigger than Central Park and home to gardens, museums, and a resident bison herd. The Mission is the move for cheap, excellent food, with some of the best burritos in the country and street art down Clarion Alley.
Fall is the secret season here, with the clearest skies and warmest days once the summer fog lifts. Pack layers whenever you come, set a fare alert, and book midweek a couple of months out for the lowest prices.
- Read next: Best San Francisco Airbnbs
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- For more reading: Cheapest Places to Fly in Summer
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8. Toronto, Ontario ($140–$290 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 1-5 hours with direct flights from most major U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Porter, Air Canada, United (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Currency advantage 💱, Porter Airlines expansion 🏆, competitive U.S. routes ✈️, seasonal deals 🍁
- 🔥 Perfect for: Urban explorers 🏙️, foodies 🍽️, culture seekers 🎭, international vibes without long flights 🌎
Toronto hits that sweet spot of feeling totally international while being cheaper than flying cross-country. The strong dollar, budget airline options, and endless things to do make it a no-brainer city break without crossing an ocean.
The iconic CN Tower still offers those sweeping views, but the real Toronto magic happens in neighborhoods like Kensington Market with its vintage shops and global street food or West Queen West where local designers and artists create the city’s coolest vibes. When you need a break, hop a ferry to the Toronto Islands for skyline views, biking paths, and a pocket of quiet just minutes from the city.
Snag those sweet $140-$190 fares during shoulder seasons like May or October when Toronto weather isn’t too extreme and Porter Airlines runs sales from East Coast cities.
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9. Hawaiian Islands ($270–$480 roundtrip)
- ✈️ Flight Time from U.S.: 5-11 hours with direct flights from major western U.S. airports
- 🛫 Best Airlines: Hawaiian, Southwest, Alaska (best deals often midweek)
- 💸 Why It’s Cheap: Heavy competition from West Coast hubs, frequent airline sales, and inter-island budget options
- 🔥 Perfect for: Beach lovers 🏖️, outdoor adventurers 🥾, surfers 🏄, bucket list travelers 🌋
Hawaii is the rare bucket-list trip that goes on sale regularly, especially if you’re flying from the West Coast. Heavy competition between carriers and a steady stream of airline sales mean roundtrips from California cities can dip under $300 when you catch the right window.
Oahu is the easy first-timer pick, with Waikiki’s beaches, the history at Pearl Harbor, and the cliffside hike up Diamond Head all close together. If you want quieter, Maui and Kauai are slower-paced, with the road to Hana and the Na Pali Coast among the most beautiful drives and boat trips you’ll ever take. Inter-island hops on Hawaiian and Southwest are cheap, so it’s easy to split a trip across two islands.
Aim for the shoulder months of April, May, September, or October for the best mix of weather, lower fares, and thinner crowds. Book the flight three to five months out, and watch for the flash sales that pop up a few times a year.
- Read next: Cheapest Airports to Fly Into Hawaii
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- Also worth reading: Cheapest Flights from Hawaii
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.
