This summer is expected to be one of the busiest and most expensive travel seasons yet.
According to airfare booking platform Hopper, the cost of a flight to Europe is currently up more than 35% compared to the same time last year.
The average cost for a flight from the U.S. to Europe is currently $1,032.
Traveling to other regions comes with a similarly high price tag. Notably, the average cost of a flight to Asia is $1,619 (a 23% increase from last year) and to Africa or the Middle East, it’s $1,302 (a 21% increase from last year.)
When looking for affordable flights this summer, travelers may need to look closer to home to score better deals.
We’ve highlighted the cheapest destinations to consider for a trip this summer below, along with sample airfares from major cities in the U.S. based on data from Google Flights.
1. United States
Domestic flights within the U.S. remain the most affordable option for American travelers. According to Hopper, the average round-trip domestic flight is $286, which is actually a 15% decrease from last summer.
From city breaks to national parks, there’s plenty to explore in the U.S. during the summer. So if you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, consider roaming closer to home.
Some of the best round-trip flight deals from Google Flights for a one-week vacation in the U.S. include:
- New York to Miami: $96
- New York to Las Vegas: $217
- New York to Seattle: $227
- New York to Los Angeles: $258
2. Canada
Canada is one of the best destinations for Americans to visit this summer. A combination of a favorable exchange rate, easy and affordable flights, and plenty of natural beauty and things to do makes Canada a fantastic summer destination.
The average price of a round-trip flight to Canada is $398, which is only a 2% increase from last year. This makes Canada a great summer destination for travelers looking to save money on airfare.
Digging deeper on Google Flights reveals some great deals like this:
- Los Angeles to Calgary: $77
- Los Angeles to Vancouver: $108
- Los Angeles to Toronto: $247
- Los Angeles to Montreal: $369
3. Caribbean
The Caribbean is a great place to look for an affordable summer vacation.
Summer can be the off-season in many Caribbean destinations due to a higher chance of rain and storms. But if you don’t mind putting up with some rainy afternoons, it’s a great time to travel for low prices on resorts, as well as affordable flights.
The current cost of a round-trip flight is around $452, a 2% increase from last year. Here are some of the best Caribbean deals for this summer according to Google Flights:
- Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico: $173
- Chicago to Montego Bay, Jamaica: $239
- Chicago to Nassau, Bahamas: $298
- Chicago to Oranjestad, Aruba: $423
4. South America
If you’re looking to travel further afield this summer but don’t want to pay exorbitant prices for Europe or Asia, consider South America instead.
From exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru to visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador to enjoying city life and beaches in Colombia, South America has something to offer for every type of traveler.
Flights to the continent are around $678 round-trip, a 2% decrease from 2022, making it much cheaper to visit than Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
Here are some of the best deals for a one-week trip this summer, according to Google Flights:
- Houston to Bogota, Colombia: $246
- Houston to Lima, Peru: $395
- Houston to Quito, Ecuador: $414
- Houston to Cartagena, Colombia: $452
