How to Fly for Under $400 Round-Trip
We’re always on the lookout for a good deal, and a new tool has emerged that will help you book domestic or international travel on the cheap. The team at Kayak recently looked at data from a year’s worth of searches (1.5 billion or so) to recommend the best places to go each month for less than $400. Using Kayak along with a bargain lodging tool may yield surprisingly great travel deals. Here's how to make it happen.
1. KNOW THE RIGHT TIME FOR A WARM-WEATHER GETAWAY
A bargain fare for a warm-weather destination might seem hard to come by in the middle of winter, but it turns out it may be just as good for your wallet as it is for your mental health. Kayak’s top picks for January are Turks & Caicos (average fare $309) and Long Beach, California ($138), while Atlanta ($216) and Puerto Vallarta ($338) are the site’s recommendations for December.
2. HEAD TO THE BIG CITIES IN WINTER, SPRING, OR FALL
Look for urban getaways like Chicago in February and Boston in March, or catch the tail end of winter-sports season in Denver or Calgary with cheap fares in April. As we’ve mentioned before, shoulder season offers a great opportunity to visit popular destinations at a fair price, without sacrificing on the weather front. See also: Mexico City in May and Cabo in September, both for right around $300.
3. THESE DESTINATIONS ARE (ALMOST) ALWAYS A GOOD DEAL
In general, Mexico and the Caribbean performed well overall, and Canada was a big hit year-round, so look close to home if you want a new stamp for your passport without putting in too much time on a plane.
4. STAY FLEXIBLE TO MAXIMIZE SAVINGS
If you have some vacation time to burn and some flexibility, the Kayak site may inspire you to book affordable trips you hadn't planned on, with plenty of domestic flights under $200 and overseas destinations under $400.