Summary

  • Fly to Europe for under $500! Explore Dublin's and Paris' charm on a budget.
  • Cartagena beckons with $400 flights; explore colorful towns full of historical sites and delicious food.
  • Cabo San Lucas is just a $250 flight away - enjoy stunning beaches and affordable beachfront resorts!

There are many cheap places to travel in the US, but what about jet-setters craving adventures beyond domestic borders as well as at home? Traveling can be expensive, especially when flying to desirable international locations. However, some destinations worldwide consistently offer cheap airfare due to high competition between airlines, proximity to budget carriers’ hubs, or low demand. These cheap destinations allow travelers to maximize their vacation budgets and enjoy top-notch sights without breaking the bank on flights.

With a mix of European, Asian, Central American, and Mexican hot spots, this list highlights some of the many affordable places to jet off to year-round by plane that combine affordability with bucket-list-worthy experiences. Even though these spots are typically quite affordable to fly to year-round, booking trips during shoulder seasons and utilizing budget airlines when possible can unlock these thrilling locales for an even smaller fraction of what many other vacations cost. Read on to discover some of the cheapest places to fly to year-round for unforgettable adventures on a budget.

All flight ticket costs used in this list come from Kayak flights, while hotel prices per night mentioned are from Kayak hotels. These specific flight figures use a popular, busy hub as the place of departure: LAX International Airport. Prices may vary based on the departure airport.

UPDATE: 2024/05/15 17:03 EST BY LAURALYN BROWN

More Affordable Places to Fly to All Year Round!

No matter the time of year, these 14 magical destinations around the world are the cheapest places to fly. This list has been expanded with two more cheap places to fly to around the world!, average hotel costs, and the ideal time to visit.

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14 Chicago, Illinois

Round-trip flights starting from $143

Deep dish pizza, the Bean, and late-night walks along the Chicago River? The Windy City is the perfect destination to explore on a budget (and even for free) and is incredibly cheap to fly to. While Chicago may seem expensive, there are several free attractions to enjoy, like the Art Institute of Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Navy Pier.

Visiting Chicago during the summer? Be sure to catch a free concert at the Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion from July to August! With so much to do and so many affordable options, Chicago is the perfect destination for budget-savvy travelers.

13 Paris, France

Round-trip flights starting from $430

Paris is undoubtedly a dreamy destination and is surprisingly one of the cheapest places to fly in Europe. Travelers can fly from New York City to Paris for less than $500 round-trip and still have plenty left over in the budget to enjoy the sweet luxuries that the City of Love has to offer.

There are plenty of options when it comes to affordable tours around the city. But Paris can easily be explored on one's own by foot. Paris is filled with gardens, art exhibits, museums, and picturesque districts that are free to access.

Dining out in Paris can get expensive quickly, but a handy list of affordable eats in Paris can help narrow down some restaurants that cost well under €30.

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12 Bangkok, Thailand

Round-trip flights starting from $850

South East Asia has earned a reputation for being budget-friendly, and Thailand’s capital is no exception, especially when low-cost accommodation in hostels and guesthouses starts from just $9.

When it comes to airfare, roundtrip flights from the US to Bangkok can cost less than $850, even in the peak season (not super cheap compared to the cheapest destinations to fly to further down on this list, but it's still worth the price considering how affordable yet stunning and fun this nation is once there).