The 10 Cheapest Places to Fly This Summer

Summer 2021 is officially here — and, if you haven’t already, it’s time to pack your bag, book your plane ticket, and plan your summer trip. What’s more, the most affordable summer 2021 flight destinations include everything from relaxing beach oases to historic cities. You’ll find that Mexico, Latin America, Florida, and the Caribbean are among the most affordable locales.  

To help inspire your summer travels, we found the ten best summer 2021 flight deals, which range from under $100 to just over $450. 

Cancun, Mexico

Sugar-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and warm weather all await in Cancun. According to Kayak, the best time to visit is in August, when round-trip flight prices drop by 24 percent, hovering around the $300 mark. However, keep in mind that summer is Cancun’s off-season for a reason: So, while you can expect fewer crowds and cheaper prices, you must be willing to face the hot weather. 

Lisbon, Portugal 

From the cobblestone-lined streets to the majestic cathedrals, Portugal offers plenty to see and do — and, if it’s not on your bucket list already, it certainly should be. Even better? According to data from Priceline, Portugal’s capital city is one of the most affordable places to travel this summer. The online travel agency reports that summer 2021 round-trip tickets to Lisbon average at $470: a steep discount compared to summer 2020 ($769) and summer 2019 ($851). 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If you can stand the hot weather, summer is the best time to visit Florida, According to Adit Damodaran, an economist at travel booking app Hopper, Florida beach destinations are among the cheapest domestic destinations to visit this summer. You can find round-trip flights to Fort Lauderdale for an average price of $184 (down 31 percent from summer 2020). 

Bogota, Colombia 

There’s no better time than now to explore this bucket-list-worthy Colombian city. Although Priceline reports that round-trip flight prices have stayed (pretty much) the same for this summer ($409) and last summer ($412), it’s still a significant discount compared to summer 2019, when average round-trip flights skyrocketed to $612. 

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Embark on an idyllic island getaway to St. Thomas for less: According to Damodaran, summer 2021 round-trip flights average at $333, down 39 and 31 percent compared to summer 2020 and summer 2019, respectively. Plus, since St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, you won’t need a passport to visit (though it is recommended to bring one). Also, it’s worth noting that hurricane season in the Caribbean takes place from June through November, so consider purchasing travel insurance in the event of an emergency. 

Las Vegas, Nevada

Seeking an affordable yet fun-filled escape? Consider a summer vacation to Sin City and snag round-trip flights for under $100. According to data from Skyscanner, you can find airfare for as low as $58 — which is a savings of up to 69 percent off flights compared to summer 2019. The online travel agency also reports that the cheapest flights are available out of Dallas and Denver. 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

While the Dominican Republic may be known for beloved beach destinations like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, consider exploring the vibrant city of Santo Domingo instead. According to Damodaran, you can fly to the country’s often-overlooked capital for an average of $376 round-trip this summer — a 17 percent price drop compared to summer 2020. 

Dallas, Texas

Bask in the Texas sun — and feast on Southern BBQ paired with a tall cup of sweet tea, of course — in Dallas. According to Kayak, August is the cheapest month to visit, when the average round-trip flight costs just $128 (a staggering 43 percent price drop). 

San Juan, Puerto Rico 

San Juan truly has it all—and summer 2021 is the ideal time to visit. According to Damodaran, the average round-trip flight to San Juan costs $308, down 25 percent from summer 2020. The city offers something for every traveler, from sugar-sand beaches to charming cobblestone-lined streets to bright-colored buildings. It’s worth noting that hurricane season lasts from June to November; stay up-to-date by downloading American Red Cross’ Hurricane Tracker smartphone app. 

San Salvador, El Salvador

This summer, you can score round-trip flights to El Salvador’s capital city for $375 (29 percent off compared to last summer, according to Damodaran.) July and August are considered the off-season; however, you’ll enjoy the same attractions (think: lively outdoor markets, scenic parks, historic monuments, and more) — sans the crowds. 

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