Ten Budget-Friendly Destinations To Fly To In 2026, According To Data

Figuring out the cost of any given trip is as much art as it is science. We find ourselves scouring the internet looking for last-minute package deals. Hours are wasted searching for European cities where you can get a hotel room for less than an Airbnb. Calculators come out as we attempt to estimate the day-to-day expenses of travel, while trying to avoid packing any and all useless items to avoid excessive baggage fees. And that's all before you even figure out how to get there.

Air travel has become slightly cheaper as of late — at least, for some routes. A flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, for example, saw a 7% drop in price in 2025; flying from New York to San Francisco became 3% cheaper. Such reductions, however, represented a non-uniform trend; in some cases, flying actually became more expensive. As always, hunting for a bargain takes more than a little effort.

Fortunately, Skyscanner's annual list of the lowest fares around provides an excellent starting point. The average cost of a flight to Vegas, for example, clocks in at a mere $232, making it a tempting proposition. The $369 worth of daily expenses you'll incur while there, however, puts it over the top when it comes to a true value proposition. The aggregate figure is, after all, what truly matters. Listed below are some of the cheapest vacations around, based on research into actual total expenditure. Sure, flight prices vary based on your starting location, and yes, prices fluctuate as seasons mature. Regardless, the list remains carefully curated and designed from the ground up to find an incredible experience that won't break the bank.

Nestled away on the Dominican Republic's east coast lies Punta Cana, which, together with the neighboring Bávaro region, forms what is colloquially known as the "Coconut Coast." It is a place of all-inclusive resorts, fine white sands, and secluded lagoons. It is a place where the mercury rarely drops below the mid-70s, and the waters are fine and clear. It's also one of the best destinations out there for those looking to swim with dolphins.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Punta Cana comes alive with a party atmosphere that never seems to end: music pours from seemingly endless streams of nightclubs and bars, and the air is filled with the scent of traditional Dominican cuisine. Oh, and it's also delightfully inexpensive. Skyscanner averaged out the cost of a flight here to $375 per person, but even cheaper options are available. Flights from Miami start at a shade over $300, and even a direct flight from New York can be found for less than $335. Meanwhile, daily expenses also offer considerable relief to those looking to save money on their annual vacation. With an average cost of only $163 a day, you can have all your accommodation, travel, and food taken care of relatively cheaply.

Still, getting that price down further is easier than you think. Those prepared to rent an apartment or boutique hotel a few miles back from the beaches can do so for less than $200 per week, even during the summer months. Meanwhile, opting to avoid some of the pricier restaurants also helps ease the financial burden: A Coca-Cola here costs just one dollar, while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is only going to set you back $8 or so.

When people think of Rapid City, their minds naturally turn to Mount Rushmore. The famous monument lies just 23 miles from the city proper and, each year, attracts a little over two million people who arrive to bask in the magnificence of one of the largest sculptures in the world. South Dakota is well known as a place to enjoy RV camping adventures, to explore underrated national parks, and, of course, the best way to experience a bowl of truly authentic Chislic. And there are few better starting locations to experience all that is on offer here than the city itself, nestled on the Eastern side of the sprawling Black Hills National Forest.

Getting there is a relatively straightforward affair. You'll find direct flights from Dallas, Minneapolis, and Denver, with the latter offering fares as low as $364. Non-direct flights skew a little higher on the expense side, but flights from Butte in Montana consistently offer fares well below the $400 mark. There is also much to recommend when it comes to the cost of day-to-day travel while vacationing in Rapid City. The average spend works out to around $133 per day, well below the national average of $325 per day, per person. Additional savings can be found by visiting during the shoulder season, and the entire state lends itself well to off-season adventures.

Meanwhile, an exploration of the wider municipality reveals plenty of ways to cut back on expenses. The average cost of meals can be pared down by visiting an inexpensive restaurant where a meal will only set you back $15. Large groups can rent nearby cabins for as little as $200 a night, which only sounds steep until you realize you can split that bill a half dozen ways

The capital city of the province of Nova Scotia is famed for its rugged coast, rich maritime history, and as one of the friendliest places in all of North America. Sporting events take place year-round, the foodie scene is peppered with household names, and there are arts festivals to get lost in, beach holidays to camp by, and spa breaks to enjoy. Best of all, you can experience everything the Atlantic coast retreat has to offer without breaking the bank.

Flights to Halifax from Washington D.C. can be found for as little as $373, and the city is set up in such a way that there are multiple ways of keeping costs low once you have arrived. A typical vacationer only needs to spend around $137 a day on holiday here, with much of that expense coming from accommodation and food. Those willing to make the 100-mile trek west, towards the Kejimkujik National Park, can find additional savings. The Canada Strong Pass runs from June 19 to September 7, is free, and offers free admission to the park and a 25% discount on camping rates. Glamping starts at just $68 per night and is available from May 15 through to October 31.

Those staying in the city proper can choose to dine at an inexpensive restaurant for less than $20 per head, and, for those opting for a short city break, the Halifax Experience Pass can reduce costs still further. The 72-hour variety costs $145 per head, grants you access to most major attractions alongside discounts at various restaurants and eateries. Accommodation during the shoulder season is, as you would expect, cheaper by some margin; with a little searching, finding a double room charging just over $110 a night is eminently doable.

Calgary is Alberta's largest city by population and one that is often mistaken for the capital of the province. A flight from Las Vegas can be found for less than $350, and the average spend here is $178 per day. Still, there are ways to take the price down to rock-bottom levels. To start with, those travelers who are willing to forego some of life's little luxuries can get away with spending just $73 a day while exploring all the free and low-cost destinations Calgary has to offer, such as the Heritage Park Historical Village (tickets start at just $12), browsing art installations downtown, and free admission to exhibits such as the contemporary art at the Esker Foundation and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.

A must-see for nature lovers in this province is Jasper National Park, home to a multitude ofscenic hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. While it's a five-hour drive to the north, it's well worth the extra effort to get to this stunning wilderness, far removed from major airports and large cities. If you don't want to drive, a bus trip up there can be purchased for $62 each way and takes around eight hours; it's a bit of a trek, but the views on display are well worth it. 

Once there, you can find hostels for as little as $90 a day during the low season, and as the weather turns warmer, camping opportunities abound. Spring season safari tents clock in at a little over $120 a night. Bell tents that sleep four can be found for less than $100, and if you're willing to bring your own tent, simple pitches can be rented for under $20. Between January 15 and September 7, the nationwide Canada Strong Pass offers an additional 25% off listed tariffs and free entry to the park.

It probably comes as no surprise that it's possible to find some cheap holidays just south of the U.S. border. Mexico is around 60% cheaper than the average cost of living in the United States, and finding ways to cut down on expenses happens almost as a reflex. Of course, as with every other place in the world, such savings are better represented than others: Mexico City, for example, is only 30% cheaper than the United States; as savings go, such a built-in discount is not too shabby, but it's far from the best available option. Location, then, is key, and finding the right balance between air fares and day-to-day expenses requires more than a little investigation. Which is where Acapulco comes in.

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast and fringed by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, Acapulco is famous for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, and picture-postcard golf courses. Travelers flock there to learn more of Mexican culture and history, enjoy world-class seafood, try their hand at snorkeling, or simply relax on endless stretches of pristine sand. Meanwhile, watching the La Quebrada cliff jumpers perform death-defying leaps into the water below is a near compulsory item on any Acapulco itinerary.

Flights from LA start as low as $364, and even those traveling from as far north as Portland, Oregon, can get there for under $500. The real savings, however, stem from the daily expenses you are likely to incur. With an average expenditure of just $97 per day, there is little need to cut any corners when it comes to comfort levels. Still, off-season deals are available, and there are many boutique hotels located a few miles outside of downtown that offer rooms for less than $50 a night.

Cancun has long stolen the limelight when it comes to affordable vacations in Mexico, so trying to find a location that is both less crowded and easier on the wallet is pro-tip worthy. Resorts litter both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and, thankfully, a stunning resort town close to the Mayan ruin-strewn town of Tulum fits the bill quite nicely. Playa del Carmen is Cancun's more reasonably priced twin and then some.

Getting there does, of course, necessitate getting a flight to Cancun itself; Playa del Carmen has no airport of its own. Still, prices as low as $235 from New Orleans or $287 from Chicago are readily available. A bus taking you on the 43-mile journey south costs less than $10, and once there, you'll find that listed prices are noticeably lower. Where the average per day spend in Cancun settles somewhere around the $160 mark, over in Playa del Carmen, you can get away with spending only $94 a day without sacrificing comfort levels. 

Better yet, a bare bones experience clocks in at a mere $36 a day, which, when combined with the cheap airfare, makes for an unbelievable bargain. And for all that, any sense of missing out on the Cancun experience quickly evaporates as vacationers settle in to enjoy all the resort has to offer. The beaches are both plentiful and fine, freshwater sinkholes known as cenotes make for excellent swimming, and the underground Rio Secreto river makes for an exceptional and affordable guided tour experience.

Playa del Carmen is most assuredly an excellent place to unwind, but further south, deep in the Mexican heartland, lies an opportunity to visit the world's top-ranked city. The beating heart of Oaxaca de Juárez is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a mixture of colonial era architecture, fringed with sites of archaeological magnificence. The city is a hub for foodies, sporting no fewer than 21 Michelin Star restaurants across the region, many of them within easy walking distance of one another. It is a place of festivals, lively markets, and sweeping landscapes. It's also one of the most affordable places to visit in all the Americas.

Flights start at $372, which falls short of a price low enough to raise an eyebrow, to be sure, but once you actually get there, the opportunities to explore the city on a tight budget are very real indeed. The average traveler can get by on just $54 per day. Such expenses include the price of hotels, transportation, and meals in restaurants, but with a little inventiveness, you can get by on even less. The city also boasts some of the best street food in the world, and it is both plentiful and cheap. Off-season hostel accommodation can be found for around $15 a night for a twin room, and many of the incredible festivals on display, such as the Día de los Muertos, or the low-season Guelaguetza, are there for all to enjoy without an entrance fee. By taking such things into consideration and choosing the right time to visit, it's possible to get by on a rather satisfying $21 a day.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, is not only one of the oldest cities in the United States; it's also a high-energy tropical paradise blessed with exceptional food and architecture. Originally the home of the Taino people, it was colonized by Spanish conquistadors in 1521, who built the city as we know it today. Today, its cobblestone streets, brightly painted houses, and massive fortifications make a visit there feel like a step back in time.

The largest city on the island of Puerto Rico by some margin, the Island of Enchantment is becoming more popular with tourists of late, and with that comes opportunities to stretch out the annual vacation budget. Visitors can marvel at the majesty of the San Juan Cathedral, while away the hours on Condado beach – a stunning Caribbean beach unsuited for swimming — or snorkel in the much more tranquil waters just off Escambrón Beach. It's every bit the paradise you'd expect it to be.

A direct flight from New York can be purchased for the bargain price of just $136. Travelers crossing from the West Coast face higher tariffs, it's true, but flights from Midwestern and Atlantic coast locations remain consistently cheap. Such costs are, however, offset by the relatively high daily burn rate of $218 per day, but with a little creative planning, it's more than possible to take things down to the sub-$100-a-day mark. Inexpensive meals are available for less than $20, and finding accommodation during the low season for around $80 a night is a definite possibility.

The capital city of El Salvador is a place rich in heritage, history, and street life. Although the nation has long held a reputation as one of Central America's most dangerous vacation spots, as of this writing, the State Department has declined to issue an elevated travel advisory warning. Indeed, city officials, keen to cash in on an influx of tourist dollars, have transformed the once-feared capital into one of the most desirable vacation spots on the planet.

To start with, San Salvador is served by two world-class beaches, El Tunco and El Zonte, both of which offer a fantastic vacation experience by themselves. The municipality also acts as a fantastic home base for exploring nearby mountain towns while marveling at the dramatic volcanic peaks that form part of the region's natural backdrop. Hiking up to the caldera at El Boquerón is a genuine delight, as indeed are the many nature trails that dot the landscape. Foodwise, San Salvador offers more than the eponymous Pupusas; the foodie scene here is as vibrant as the nightlife, and the street food is the equal of anything else you might find in Central America. A direct flight from the continental U.S. can be found for as little as $184, and represents a large portion of the final bill. The average spend for a weeklong trip comes to just $335. Hostels can be rented for just $12 a night, and if you steer clear of some of the tourist hot spots, you can buy dinner for less than $7 a head.

While searching for every possible combination of cheap flights lies beyond the remit, we attempted to find real-world examples of genuine vacation prices that hover around the lowest overall cost on the market. Skyscanner's Best Value Flights survey provided an excellent jumping-off point, but we took things one step further by researching daily expenses and then amalgamating the two costs. The lowest fares were calculated by checking flights listed between February 1 and September 30, 2026. Data relating to average spends were taken from various sources, the most prominent of which was budgetyourtip.com. Hotels and other accommodations were checked via a hypothetical six-night stay between February 1 and March 30. All prices were accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change, especially across high and low seasons.