Summer is one of the easiest months to travel, although it can really add up. Children are out of school, and the sun shines brightly, tempting millions of Americans to travel domestically and internationally. Although it can get expensive because most tourist destinations peak in summer, there are some tricks that can save you money.
More and more Americans are deciding to travel during the summer. One survey published on Nerd Wallet found that 87% of respondents will travel at least one night away from their home. Just in July, during Independence Day, 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel by a mix of flying and driving.
For this slideshow, we searched the internet for credible sources, using official travel websites and news/ranking sources like U.S. News. Click through the slideshow for cheap summer flight specials you should take an extra look at.
Delta
Delta is a very comfortable airline to travel with, but they aren’t known for being cheap. Still, they constantly throw out deals, which you can find directly on their Current Flight Deals page. For a cheap price, you can fly from and to top destinations like Atlanta, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Frontier
Frontier is already known as a budget airline. They are cheap and effective, flying to thousands of locations in the United States. You can access these deals through their Summer Flight Deals page and the GoWild! All You Can Fly Pass. The summer pass is less than $500 and includes unlimited flights from May 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025.
American Airline
American Airlines also offers summer specials on its website. Through their Domestic Deals page, you can play with the dates and locations to get the best deal. It also displays already-generated flights starting as low as $90.
Southwest
Southwest has some of the best summer flight deals. You can input your airport, desired travel location, and budget to get the best deals. There are also generated deals, much like American Airlines lower than $50 one way.
Is Summer a Cheap Time to Fly?
On average, summer flights are more expensive compared to other seasons. But you can still find deals. It’s also one of the best times to travel as children are out of school and events/activities are in full swing. Traveling at the end of the summer, though, can help you save a pretty penny. For instance, during the end of August, you can save as much as $300 compared to the peak of summer travel (June and July).
Inexpensive Summer Travel Destinations
So, what about destinations? This is going to depend on where you live, however, these destinations were listed as cheap by various travel sources including U.S. News Travel.
Mexico
Mexico is an inexpensive country to visit, but only if you don’t try and hit the beachy spots like Cancun. Cities like Puebla, Guadalajara, and Mexico City and relatively cheap. Your dollar stretches here more after the flights. Hostels can be found for less than $20 a night.
El Salvador
A popular recent vacation spot is El Salvador, where you can spend a lot without feeling the pain. According to Redditers, they spend about $500 to $800 vacationing in El Salvador a week, but this is not being frugal. You could enjoy the country for less.
Wyoming – Yellowstone National Park
National parks are underrated. An inexpensive summer destination is Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. You can camp, take an RV, or stay in a hotel for a low amount.
San Diego, California
Flights to San Diego during the summer, or really year-round, are cheap. This destination is frequently included in deals and offers by airlines. If you play with the dates and don’t travel on the weekend, you can spend as little as $50 one way.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Not up for party vibes? That’s okay. Traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee isn’t expensive and it’s incredible for relaxing and learning. This historical hidden gem is a great summer destination. Don’t forget the bug spray, though.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Last but not least is Las Vegas. Are you surprised by this? Although the city does hold a lot of expensive hotels and places to eat, there are also plenty of free things. For instance, you can wander into the hotels for free and view the incredible insides.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©25krunya / Getty Images.