Summer Airfare Forecast: How to Get Cheap Flights

Summer is peak travel season. The kids are out of school, the days are long, and sometimes, a change of scenery is helpful when it comes to beating the heat. If you’ve been poking around Pinterest browsing some of the best places to fly this summer, I’ve got your back. I consider myself an expert travel planner, and I’m always keeping an eye out for flight deals and new destinations that won’t break the bank. Here are some of my best tips for traveling this summer and how to find cheap flights.

I like to compare traveling to a sport. There are many different levels of travel; it all comes down to how much time you have and how much work you’re willing to put in. Time is money, as they say, and the more time you’re willing to put into it, the more money you’ll save. A little research in the beginning could mean big savings in the end. And I’m all about saving money.

How to Get Cheap Flights

Everyone wants to snag a cheap flight, but there are some rules you’ll need to follow if you really want to take your travel game to the next level. Since every airport is different, it’s impossible for me to lay out your flight path. A flight to Denver might be $80 from New Orleans, but $230 from New York. That being said, there are some general rules to get cheap flights that work for any airport:

Be flexible with your dates

This is the easiest way to get cheap flights, but it’s the hardest rule to follow. I get it! Many of us have to fit vacations in between school breaks, work schedules, and general life obligations. Oftentimes, the dates are locked in before the destination! If you can get some wiggle room with your dates, you will open up a whole new world of cheap flights. 

Be flexible with your destination

If you can’t budge on the dates, how about the destination? This is an easy way to save money traveling. There’s a reason flights to Orlando are going to spike near Thanksgiving… Disney is a popular place that week! Popular summer vacation destinations are going to have a price tag that reflects their popularity, simple supply and demand. If a flight to Miami is $400, but a flight to Albany is $150… how about a summer vacation in the Adirondacks? Choosing the path less traveled opens up an opportunity to try something new, often at a fraction of the price of the well-known summer destinations. 

Best Places to Get Cheap Flights

These days, there’s a website for everything. Google Flights and SkyScanner are two of my favorite resources to get cheap flights, but there are plenty out there! Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is another great tool for budget travelers, though there is a subscription service if you want to really get into it. 

The cheapest week of summer to travel is the last week of August. Kids have started school (or are about to), and this is when you can really cash in on cheap flights and fewer crowds. 

The day of the week you fly can also make a huge impact on the price. Wednesday tends to be the cheapest day of the week to fly, but you’ll see the price go down for any midweek flight, really. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days to book flights.  

Cheap Destinations in August and September:

Shoulder season travel is one of the best ways to score cheap flights. September is a shoulder season for most locations in the United States. I love traveling in September because you get the best of both worlds—you still get the benefits of summer (long days and warmer temps), but with fewer crowds. Here are some of the cheapest places to travel to in August and September:

• Buffalo, NY
• Boston, MA
• Miami, FL
• Chicago, IL
• Orlando, FL
• Denver, CO

Prices may vary depending on your home airport, so experiment with dates and destinations to find an affordable vacation destination. 

Pro tip: If your travel itinerary includes a layover, ensure your first flight is an early morning departure. Delayed flights are inevitable, but they’re less likely to happen with early morning flights. Few things can take the wind out of your sails faster than a delayed flight that causes you to miss your connection. 

The bottom line is, if you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll see the rewards in your wallet. And hey, at least we don’t have to take our shoes off at the airport anymore! Little victories. 

Before booking your flight, ensure you’ve a REAL ID so you can expedite the TSA process and arrive at your preferred airport lounge in no time. Share this article with someone you want to plan a summer vacation with! Two minds are better than one, and with both of you working on it, you’re sure to find some cheap flights to an epic destination.

Are you a solo traveler? Read our recent article about the rise of single airline tickets. We cover everything you need to know about the dreaded solo tax.