Whether you’re itching to book a last-minute summer break or want something to look forward to in the colder winter months, there are so many amazing destinations with surprisingly affordable flights. The best way to find a great deal is to be open to places you might not have considered before, and here is a list of some of the most affordable options near and far!
10 Miami, Florida
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Miami is an incredible blend of beautiful sandy beaches and a cool downtown so there really is something for everyone! It is also one of the cheapest places in the US to fly too. Top tip – check flights into Fort Lauderdale, it is less than an hour from Miami and can sometimes have better deals. Art lovers can check out Wynwood walls, an outdoor gallery of graffiti artists and murals, and for a taste of Cuba visitors can grab a bite to eat in Little Havana. South Pointe Park Pier has some of the best views over South Beach, with the skyline of downtown Miami in the distance.
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9 Hamilton, Bermuda
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For a winter break, there is no better place than Hamilton in Bermuda. It is actually found in the North Atlantic Ocean, but the warm waters of the Gulf Stream make it a wonderful year-round destination, only 2 hours from New York, 3 hours from Toronto, and less than 7 from London. Front Street in Hamilton has iconic pastel buildings and up-market boutiques and is the perfect place to stay to explore more of this beautiful island. The deep turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and beautiful sandy beaches are perfect for a long weekend away.
8 Oslo, Norway
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Oslo is the third-largest city in Scandinavia and the capital of Norway and is the perfect base to explore more of this beautiful country. Oslo feels connected with nature as it sits right on the northern shore of the Oslofjord for a break from the city, head to the beautiful forest of Nordmarka where there are numerous hiking trails and skiing opportunities. Aker Brygge is a wonderful neighborhood to explore with tasty restaurants and unique boutiques. There is also an abundance of culture, with huge sculptures found in Frogner Park and the beautiful Oslo Opera House.
7 San Juan, Puerto Rico
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For Americans without a passport, Puerto Rico is a US territory, so no passport is needed, making it the perfect getaway destination. It’s not too far from Miami, so it can be one of the cheapest places to visit in the US. Reasonable flights can often be found from New York too. San Juan is the capital city and has a colorful beachfront and port which is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the warm Caribbean waters. Old San Juan oozes history with its two fortresses and beautiful ocean views. The capital is a wonderful base to explore more of the sandy beaches, rainforests, and culture across Puerto Rico.
6 Dublin, Ireland
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The capital of Ireland is one of the smaller of Europe’s capital cities but steals the heart of many a visitor. It perfectly blends Irish pub culture with deep history and is filled with stunning cathedrals and cobbled streets. The residents are friendly and seeing the live music spilling out from the pubs is a truly Irish experience. The Guinness Storehouse is a must-visit, and there are plenty of whiskey distilleries to tour.
5 San Jose, Costa Rica
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Costa Rica might not sound like an affordable option, but flights to its capital city, San Jose, are often very reasonable from hubs across the US. The city itself is affordable once you arrive and coffee-lovers will enjoy the surrounding historic coffee plantations. Once there, San Jose is a perfect base to explore Costa Rica as all buses loop back through the capital city. Check out Manuel Antonio in the south for pristine beaches and rainforests filled with monkeys and sloths, or Monteverde up in the north for breathtaking cloud forests. La Fortuna is another great stop, with easy access to the Arenal Volcano.
4 Bogota, Colombia
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Bogota may not be high (or even on!) on your bucket list, but this capital city has a lot to offer! It has an abundance of delicious and cheap places to eat, plenty of interesting museums, including the Emerald Museum, and beautiful architecture. Coffee lovers can see where it is grown and produced, and then can sample some of the best coffees in the world. Also keep an eye on flights to Cartagena, up on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. In the winter flights can be cheap and it is a picture-perfect city with numerous beach islands to explore.
3 Toronto, Canada
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Toronto is another city that often has amazing flight deals, especially from New York. There is so much to enjoy in Toronto, from grabbing a drink in the historic Distillery District to shopping in the eclectic Kensington Market region. Visitors can also take a trip across Lake Ontario to the Toronto Islands for incredible views of the downtown Toronto skyline. No trip to Toronto is complete without a trip to Niagara Falls, just 90 minutes away.
2 Nassau, Bahamas
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Nassau is the perfect place for beach lovers as it has sunshine for 300 days of the year and is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. With beautiful colorful buildings and miles of white sand and clear waters, it is difficult not to feel relaxed here. For those wanting a break from laying in the sun, there are so many options, including the Clifton Heritage National Park and the Primeval Forest National Park as well as many restaurants and galleries to explore. Nassau is also a great first stop if you want to extend your trip and see more of the Bahamas.
1 Nashville, Tennessee
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Winter is the cheapest time to visit Music City, but deals can be found throughout the year. Once you’re there, it is easy to stay on budget too with plenty of free live music in the Honky Tonk bars and beautiful murals to explore. Visitors should not miss Nashville hot chicken or the views of Nashville from Cumberland Park. For those wanting some more classic Nashville experiences, try a concert at the Grand Ole Opry, a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, or drive out to Lynchburg for a tour of the Jack Daniel’s distillery.