Deal alert: Flights to the Bahamas starting at $255
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Tired of suffering through the finicky temperature swings of the Northeast in April? Check out these cheap flights from cities like Boston, New York and Philadelphia to the Bahamas, and enjoy the Caribbean nation's turquoise waters and powdery white sand beaches.
Beyond hypnotically gorgeous tropical beaches, Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is home to some of the best casinos in North America. Atlantis Bahamas, a legendary all-inclusive resort, boasts a slew of renowned casinos, private beaches for guests and fabulous restaurants like Nobu, where chefs craft culinary art with the endless variety of fresh Caribbean seafood.
Outdoor activity enthusiasts will find plenty to do in the Bahamas. Home to the world's third-largest barrier reef, the Bahamas is a veritable paradise for divers. With its calm waters and breezy climate, the Bahamas has in recent years also become a hotbed for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
From now until June, you can find United Airlines flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) for around $250, allowing New Englanders to enjoy a 50% discount on the typical price of this flight. Like other United basic economy flights to international destinations, one carry-on bag is free and the first checked bag costs $60.
There are some great deals from the New York City area to Nassau, as well. United is offering basic economy flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Nassau for $309. Tickets for this flight are normally $500, so this deal offers flyers a 38% discount.
American Airlines is offering round-trip flights from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Nassau for $320 through June, with flights discounted about 36% from the typical price of $500. Philadelphians can find tickets to the Bahamas for under $350 on JetBlue. Keep in mind that while you are entitled to one free carry-on bag on economy flights on all the airlines we mentioned, your first checked bag will run you $60-$70.
Related: The best ways to fly to the Bahamas using points and miles
Cities in Florida, the closest U.S. state to the Bahamas, also offer cheap flights to Nassau in the coming weeks. From Fort Lauderdale, you can find United flights to Nassau for $240 and you'll get there in just over an hour. From Miami, you can find American Airlines basic economy flights to Nassau for the same price.
To find smoking deals on flights across the world, check out Scott's Cheap Flights. The basic membership costs $49 per year, and the Elite tier, which offers access to deals on premium economy, business-class and first-class tickets, costs $199 per year. For those who travel frequently, Scott's Cheap Flights pays for itself many times over. As always, flexibility with travel dates allows for finding the best prices.
Deal basics
Airlines: American, JetBlue and United.
Routes: Boston, New York, Newark, Miami and Philadelphia to Nassau.
How to book: Search Google Flights and book directly through the airline.
Travel dates: May-June and October-March 2023.
Sample flights
Bostonians can find fares to Nassau for $255 this coming May. Be warned, though, that the travel time from Boston Logan (BOS) to Nassau is long due to a five- to six-hour layover at Dulles International Airport (IAD) on the way down and a similar layover in Newark on the return journey.
If you're flying to Nassau from the New York City area, you will generally find the lowest prices for the next few months out of Newark (EWR). This United flight from Newark to Nassau, departing in early May, costs $309, almost 40% off the typical price of $500.
The Newark-to-Nassau flight is direct, so you'll be in the Bahamas in just over three hours. Just keep in mind that with basic economy flights on United, you'll have to pay $70 for a checked bag. If you're a light packer, you can probably fit everything you need for a beach vacation into your free carry-on bag.
You may want to consider flying out of LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Nassau for $320. As with the United flight mentioned above, while a carry-on bag is free on American basic economy flights, checked bags are extra — in this case, $60 for the first one. Also worth noting is that this American Airlines flight has a quick layover in Charlotte, so the travel time is slightly longer than the United Flight out of Newark mentioned above.
Philadelphians can score great deals on flights to Nassau on JetBlue this coming May and June. These flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) can often be as high as $800 during peak season, so this offer is a steal. The flight does have a layover in Fort Lauderdale, making total travel time slightly longer. Keep in mind that JetBlue offers free carry-on bags but charges $60 for the first checked bag.
Cheapest of all, JetBlue flights from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau are just under $250. The Bahamas lies only 50 miles off Florida's coast, and flight times from Fort Lauderdale or Miami are barely an hour. From Miami, you can find similarly priced flights to Nassau on American Airlines.
Maximize your purchase
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
It's been a long, cold winter for many of us, and a few days in the Bahamas to soak up sunshine, hit the tables and enjoy fabulous outdoor activities may be just what you need to hit the reset button. Several airlines are offering cheap flights to this gorgeous Caribbean country from major hubs in the Northeast and from South Florida. If you're willing to forgo a checked bag, round-trip flights in many cases will only set you back less than $300.