You don’t have to stay home: Summer travel deals you can still book
This year, summer travel is expected to be busier and more expensive than in years past. Don't let this scare you off just yet, though. Hidden beneath the heap of expensive tickets and sold-out hotels are a handful of destinations where you can still find a reasonable flight or train ticket.
To help you get out and about without breaking the bank this summer, we've compiled these cheap destinations in this post. We'll update this post every other week throughout the summer, with new travel deals valid from June through the middle of September. So, bookmark it and check back for the latest deals.
This week, we have a variety of deals for you: from domestic jaunts to flights to Europe. There's something for everyone, and all flights are well under $500. In fact, some are under $100 round trip.
Here's the line-up of some affordable trips this summer so you can get to booking.
Fly to Toronto without breaking the bank
Canada has recently seen an influx of new low-cost carriers starting service to/from the U.S., including Flair and Swoop. In turn, this brings affordable flights to our neighbor up north to Americans.
For example, Flair is offering flights from Chicago to Toronto for as low as $118 throughout the summer.
Or, you can book Swoop from New York to Toronto for under $150 round trip.
Canada's quirkiest carrier, Porter, is offering flights from Boston to Toronto for roughly $211 in late August.
You could then pair these affordable flights with a stay on Hyatt points at the recently renovated Park Hyatt Toronto.
Head to Mexico from Texas
Texans, listen up: Right now, you can book flights to Mexico for under $250 round trip.
Those based in Austin, Dallas and Houston can leverage budget carriers like Frontier, Spirit and VivaAerobus to fly to Cancun and Mexico City.
Austinites will find Cancun tickets for $250 or less round trip in July and August on Spirit Airlines. Budget in a little extra for bags and a snack, if needed, and you'll be on your way to a relaxing long weekend away in no time. (Here's how you skip the bag fee and maximize the free Spirit carry-on.)
Houstonians can take advantage of reasonably priced Spirit tickets to Cancun, too, with flights starting pricing at under $200 round trip in July and August. Or, you can fly to Mexico City with VivaAerobus or Volaris for under $200 round trip in July. Here are some tips for what to eat and drink in Mexico City if you make the trip.
Meanwhile, Dallas travelers shouldn't feel left out of the Cancun fun. Frontier is offering round-trip nonstop tickets for $230 this July. If you want to keep cash in your pocket, there are a variety of points-friendly all-inclusive options in that area once you land.
Cheap flights to Europe are back
Dreaming of Europe? Good news -- this summer you will find that some flights to Europe are cheaper than domestic tickets.
As an example, TAP Portugal — a Star Alliance carrier — is offering one-stop flights from New York to Paris for under $500 in late August.
Or, you can try Iceland's newest low-cost carrier — Play — to fly Baltimore to Reykjavik for as low as $300 round trip in July. Here are some on-the-ground tips for Iceland if you make the journey.
Or, you can book a last-minute June adventure from Boston to Berlin via Iceland with Play for roughly $400.
For deals to Europe, you can also search Norse Atlantic Airways, which TPG's own Ethan Klapper is using to fly to Europe for $129 one-way in June.
Related: Best credit cards for booking airfare
Domestic flights deals exist
Despite higher-than-average airfare, we also found low-cost domestic flights on select routes. Not surprisingly, the majority of lower-cost fares are found on low-cost carriers. However, some routes have deals on the Big 3 U.S. carriers, too.
From Denver, you can fly Frontier to Las Vegas for as little as $60 round trip or Salt Lake City for just under $80 this June.
If you're a New Yorker, jet to Nashville for under $100 with Spirit on various dates in June. Here are some tips on where to stay if you head to Music City.
Looking to see the Carolinas this June? You can take Delta, JetBlue or United from New York to Charleston for roughly $175 round trip on select dates.
Moving onto July dates, Chicago to Miami, Orlando and Atlanta can all be booked for under $200 round trip with various airlines. The majority of these flights are on low-cost carriers. However, Delta and American operate cheap flights to New York on various dates.
Going further west, you can score tickets between Austin and San Diego for under $150 round trip with Allegiant on select dates. You can also find Alaska-operated flights in the low-$200s on the same route. Of course, if you choose to fly with Alaska, you could also leverage the co-branded credit card's companion certificate.
Related: How TPG staffers are finding flight deals this summer
Consider Amtrak this summer
None of those routes strike your interest? Maybe you'd rather hit the rails instead.
Amtrak is chock-full of great deals this summer from many U.S. cities. In fact, if you're based in the New York City area, you can book Northwest Regional tickets for well under $75 round trip in coach. So, book a ticket and finally take that trip to Boston, Washington D.C. or Philadelphia you've been planning.
If you're based in Chicago, hop on a long-distance train to Washington D.C. or New Orleans for under $250 round trip this summer.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest, you can book trains from Seattle to Portland (and vice-versa) for as little as $55 round trip.
Related: How to save on Amtrak tickets
Bottom line
If you have some flexibility this summer and let the fares drive your destination decisions a bit, you can still travel this summer. It helps to be open to new destinations and avoid weekend travel as those dates are often the most expensive, sometimes by a large margin.
Remember: If you're interested in booking, act quickly. Airfare prices can and do change with regularity.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1.25X | Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Earn up to 1.25 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn up to 1.25X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
- Earn additional points through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits™ when you use your card at Bilt's network of 50,000+ merchant partners.