By Liam Summer is quickly approaching, which means it is time to make international travel plans! Thankfully, we’ve done the research for you and have found cheap Summer flights to five destinations from the US. You’ll have the option to hike up ancient ruins and volcanoes or spend time in historic cities. All of the following destinations have one way flights from the US for under $200 and you’ll most likely be able to get round trip flights for under $500.
Booking a one way and keeping your trip open ended would allow you to combine multiple destinations in one trip before heading back home to the states. So, you may be able to take advantage of these cheap Summer flights to start a long Europe or South America trip. Without further ado, here’s our list:
Cheap Summer Flights – 1. Edinburgh
Flights start at $199 on JetBlue from Boston and New York (JFK)
Historic Edinburgh is one of the best cities to visit in Europe. I visited in April 2018 and it rained the entire time but it was still one of the highlights of my multi-country Europe trip. Plus, Scotland’s medieval capital is a particularly excellent and lively place to visit during Summertime. The weather warms up, and stays mild, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest performance arts festival.
There are excellent one way flight deals on JetBlue from New York’s JFK airport and Boston Logan International to Edinburgh for under $200.
The oldest buildings in Edinburgh date back to the 12th century and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most iconic attraction in Edinburgh is the Edinburgh Castle, which is one of the oldest in Europe. The Royal Mile connects the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is the heart of Old Town.
Victoria Street was also allegedly the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books, which J.K. Rowling primarily wrote in Edinburgh.
Visit Calton Hill for a great skyline view and hike Arthur’s Seat at Holyrood Park for some nice scenery. I was also impressed by the National Museum of Scotland, which people of all ages will enjoy.
From Edinburgh, you could also head up to the Scottish Highlands, down towards England or catch a quick flight to the European mainland.
2. Bogota
Flights start at $66 on Spirit from Orlando. Other flights under $200 with one stop maximum from Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, New York (LGA, JFK), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, San Francisco, Washington D.C. (DCA, IAD).
If you can brave Spirit Airlines, there are some absurdly cheap flights to Colombia’s capital, Bogota. You can fly to Bogota for $66 one way from Orlando and $81 one way from Fort Lauderdale. Plus, there are plenty of flights from other US cities, on other airlines, that are under $200.
The Summer brings the “coldest” months in Bogota with average highs that are around 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to climb, or take the cable car, up to Monserrate, a mountain with panoramic views of the city. While you’re at it, explore the nearby neighborhood of La Candelaria, which is Bogota’s center.
There, you’ll find the city’s main square, Plaza Bolivar, and famous museums like the Museo del Oro and Museo Botero. The Teatro Colon also has a stunning interior and is a great place to catch a concert.
The biggest park in Bogota is Parque Simon Bolivar and it’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. Then, you can visit the impressive Virgilio Barco Library afterward.
For more panoramic views of the city, head up to the 48th floor of the Torre Colpatria, which used to be the tallest building in the city. Alternatively, head to the La Calera Observation Deck.
With cheap flights to some of Colombia’s other popular destinations, like Medellin and Cartagena, Bogota is a great place to start a trip in the South American country.
3. Reykjavik
Flights start at $174 from Baltimore, Boston and Newburgh, NY on PLAY.
Tourism in Iceland has exploded over the last 20 years and it is not difficult to see why. With quick, cheap flights from the US and Europe and some of the most incredible landscapes on the planet, Iceland is a dream destination for many.
On low cost carrier PLAY, you can catch flights to Reykjavik, Iceland from Baltimore, Boston, and Newburgh, NY for under $175. While there are cheap Summer flights to Iceland, it is certainly not known for being a budget destination once you’re there.
Regardless, Summer is the best time to go, with long days, more mild temperatures and less rain. While the capital, Reykjavik, is a pleasant place to spend some time, Iceland really shines in the nature department. It’s highly recommended to rent a car or campervan during your trip so you can see all of what it the country has to offer.
There are two highly popular tourist routes in Iceland, the Golden Circle and Ring Road. The Ring Road is shorter and can be done in a day or two. It also includes some incredible places like Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls and the Geysir geothermal area.
Meanwhile, you’ll need a week or more to do the Ring Road at a relaxed pace. There are more attractions along the route and plenty where you’ll need to make a detour. Some of the highlights on and around the route include waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui and Skogafoss. Plus, you can visit Reykjadalur Valley, Dyrholaey Peninsula, Reynisfjara Beach, Eyjafjallajökull Volcano and Vik.
Either way, you can’t go wrong, but a longer trip will by no means be a cheap one!
4. London
Flights start at $139 from New York (JFK) to LGW on Norse Atlantic. Other flights under $200 from Boston, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles
London is obviously one of the world’s best cities to visit and you can finally get cheap Summer flights there from the US! Low cost carrier Norse Atlantic is offering absurdly cheap $139 flights from New York’s JFK to London’s Gatwick Airport. Astoundingly, you can also get from LA to London for under $200.
One of the largest cities in Europe, there is plenty to do in London. One week may just scratch the surface of all the U.K.’s capital has to offer. Make sure to head to the Tower of London, London’s medieval castle, and admire the Tower Bridge. Then you can head across the Thames to Borough Market to get some delicious street food.
Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are also obvious musts and the free Tate Britain art museum isn’t far away. Plus, you have to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is absolutely beautiful, along with the nearby gardens at Kensington Palace. There are plenty of other things to do in London and your itinerary will depend on your interests.
London’s Underground, or tube, is easy to navigate so you don’t necessarily have to stay in a central area to see all the city has to offer. Premier League fans like myself can plan a trip in August or September to catch one of London’s seven EPL clubs in action.
Cheap Summer Flights – 5. Lima
Flights (one stop) start at $143 from Orlando on Avianca. Nonstop flights start at $170 from Fort Lauderdale on Spirit. Other flights under $200 with maximum one stop from Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Washington D.C. (IAD, DCA).
Our final international destination with cheap Summer flights is Lima, the capital of Peru. It’s often recognized as one of the best food cities in the world and Central, in the Barranco district, was named the best restaurant in the world in 2023. Lima’s cuisine draws influence from the sea and the Andes, as well as Europe and Asia. Two iconic dishes to try in Lima are ceviche and lomo saltado, a stir fry dish.
Make sure to visit Lima’s historic center, with attractions like the Plaza Mayor and Basilica and Convent of San Francisco. Miraflores is a more modern oceanfront district with some nice parks and excellent restaurants. Parque del Amor overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Parque Kennedy is known for its cat population. Meanwhile some top restaurants in Miraflores include Panchita, La Mar and La Lucha.
Also consider visiting the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum in Miraflores. You’ll be able to check the ruins of a pre-Incan pyramid from nearly 2000 years ago. The Larco Museum is another good stop to see Pre-Columbian artifacts.
Barranco, which is south of Miraflores, is known as Lima’s bohemian arts district. It is also home to some great restaurants, like Isolina and Gran Chifa Chung Yion.
Lima also has quick and cheap flights to Cusco, which is a great city in its own right. Cusco is also the gateway to the incredible Macchu Picchu.
Wherever you choose to take cheap Summer flights to, you can’t really go wrong!