Demand is up, as are fuel costs, and industry experts will point to a ton of reasons why July is the most expensive month to travel. But what if we told you there is a way to find an affordable plane ticket even in July?
The summer vacation travel surge is driving up demand, but anything is possible with flexibility, patience, and, of course, flight tracking tools. We’ve done the research for you, so finding a flight is half the battle. Here are the cheapest places to travel this July for less than $750 round-trip.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
We always aim to find at least one destination that doesn’t require a passport, and in July, the cheapest place to travel without one is San Juan. Luckily, with the history, culture, beaches, food tours, and nightlife, there’s no shortage of things to do in San Juan.
Round-trip flights from Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, and Orlando are less than $275 on Skyscanner. There are other departure city options, but Tampa is the cheapest. Use July 20-27 as your travel dates in Google Flights for a round-trip ticket for less than $250.
Toronto, Ontario
Summer is made for places like Toronto because that’s when the city shows the world the good time it’s made of. The streets come alive during the summer with rooftop parties, marketplace festivals, and walkable neighborhoods.
Plan to spend time inside the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands for the beach, boat rentals, and skyline views. Lastly, head to neighborhoods like Queen West, the Distillery District, or the Kensington Market for the best summertime hangout spots.
According to Skyscanner, round-trip flights from Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Nashville, New York City, Portland, Tampa, and Atlanta are less than $350. Fort Lauderdale will get you there for the best fare. Use July 16-21 for a round-trip flight for less than $210 in Google Flights.
Mexico City, Mexico
With year-round appeal, there’s truly never a bad time to visit Mexico City. That said, visiting Mexico City in July is at the peak of the rainy season, which helps explain the lower ticket fares.
Rainy weather shouldn’t stop you. Use July as a time to spend more time indoors. An architecture tour should be the first thing you do, followed by food tours, shopping at the artisanal market, La Ciudadela, and visiting the iconic Chapultepec Park.
Travelers from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Chicago, New York City, Oakland, Dallas, Portland, and Austin are flying to Mexico City for less than they would in most cities. According to Skyscanner, round-trip flights are also less than $350. Houston takes the crown for the cheapest departure city. In Google Flights, use July 20-25 to book a round-trip ticket for less than $275.
Bridgetown, Barbados
By July, most people are thinking of the Crop Over Festival in August. Visiting the island before its iconic festival puts you in a unique position for cheap flights and hotels before the city erupts into a nonstop party. Barbados sits below the hurricane belt, so traveling there this July should put travel plans at lower risk of disruption. Still, be sure to have travel insurance.
During what feels like a pseudo shoulder season, head to one of the award-winning pristine beaches. Barbados’s shorelines consistently rank as some of the best in the world. Beyond the beaches, hiking through nature is a fun way to enjoy time away from the screen, with lush green forests and boardwalks. It’s also customary to make time to experience the Oistins Fish Fry Market. The legendary, lively outdoor spot is perfect for enjoying fresh seafood and dancing to calypso music.
East Coast travelers have the cheapest options, according to Skyscanner. Round-trip flights from New York City, Hartford, Fort Lauderdale, and Providence are less than $500 on Skyscanner. Boston is the winner for the cheapest flights to Bridgetown. Use July 12-17 in Google Flights for a round-trip ticket under $450.
Rome, Italy
Rome earns its place as a summer flight worth booking for a second year in a row. While it’s typically better to steer clear of Europe in the summer because of the crowds, this flight deal is too good to be true.
Summer in Rome feels like a movie, especially for fine art lovers, as the city transforms into a celebration of the arts. Lungo il Tevere is a summer-long festival along the Tiber River. The banks of the Tiber River are illuminated with lights, music, and entertainment, and filled with outdoor street food, pop-up bars, and tons of artisan markets from the evening until 2 a.m.
Also, since Opera plays a significant part in Italy’s history, don’t skip snagging tickets for a performance at the Baths of Caracalla. It’s an absolute must this summer. Organized by the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, this summertime festival kicks off the summer opera season, which lasts from June to August.
Round-trip flights from Boston, Seattle, Chicago, Durham, Washington, D.C., and Portland are less than $750 on Skyscanner. Those flying from New York City will have the cheapest option. Use July 10-17 as your travel dates in Google Flights for a round-trip ticket for less than $700.
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