Yahoo Finance 4 International Flights That Are Cheaper Than Domestic Fares
According to a recent data study from Upgraded Points, the average one-way flight from Aspen, Colorado, to West Palm Beach, Florida, costs more than $770. Aspen to Miami will run you $669. Eagle, Colorado, to Miami; Nantucket, Massachusetts, to San Francisco; Los Angeles to Nantucket; Aspen to Fort Myers, Florida; and Miami to Sun Valley, Idaho, aren’t far behind. They’re all between $645 and $662.
With those kinds of prices, you might as well fly internationally — seriously.
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“As a luxury travel expert with over 15 years in the industry, I’m often surprised by how many travelers assume international flights are automatically pricier than domestic ones,” said Aaron Sutherland, who runs Jetsetter Lifestyle, a travel company that curates customized experiences for leisure travelers, corporations, businesses and families. “While that’s often true, there are notable exceptions where venturing abroad can be more budget-friendly than staying stateside.”
Here are some examples of international flights that can actually be cheaper than their domestic counterparts.
Flights to Mexico and the Caribbean
Sutherland said you can often find comparatively cheap flights from major U.S. cities to Mexico City; Cancún, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and various Caribbean islands for less than you’d pay to travel pricey domestic routes.
“Low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier and Southwest often offer incredibly competitive fares,” he said. “Major airlines like American, Delta and United also have sales, especially during shoulder seasons in the spring and fall.”
For example, Google Flights currently lists numerous sub-$500 flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Mexico City starting at $405 — nearly half the price of the costliest average domestic flight. If you’re flying from Houston, you can cut that price to $250.
And you don’t necessarily have to suffer through inconvenience, aggravation and delays to snag a low price.
“Direct flights are common, making these destinations even more appealing for quick getaways,” Sutherland said.
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Flights to Canada
It’s not just destinations in the tropics and south of the border. Airlines also offer low fares from major U.S. cities to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary in Canada.
“Air Canada, WestJet and major U.S. carriers compete on these routes, often driving prices down,” Sutherland said. “Direct flights are abundant, and proximity makes Canada a convenient option for both short and extended trips.”
Multiple carriers are currently listing flights from Chicago to Montreal for less than $400. A ticket from Miami is less than $250 — and even that’s expensive compared with flying from Los Angeles to Vancouver, which you can do for less than $200.
Flights to Central America
Even if you’re looking to travel farther south than the southernmost reaches of North America, you can still pay less than you might for a coast-to-coast domestic flight. Sutherland said that it’s often possible to fly from U.S. hubs to San José, Costa Rica; Panama City; and Belize City, Belize.
“Copa Airlines, Avianca and various U.S. carriers offer flights to these destinations,” he said. “While some routes might involve layovers, the overall cost can still be lower than domestic flights, especially when considering the exotic appeal of these destinations.”
Google Flights is listing fares from Atlanta to San José for as little as $281.
Flights to Europe (With Caveats)
It’s even possible to cross the Atlantic Ocean for less than it might cost to cross the United States. Although scoring cheap airfare to Europe involves more skill, timing, patience and luck, it can be done.
“East Coast U.S. cities to major European hubs like London, Dublin or Reykjavík, Iceland, can sometimes be cheaper than cross-country U.S. flights,” Sutherland said. “Low-cost carriers like Norwegian and PLAY often offer eye-catching deals. Traditional airlines also have competitive fares during sales. This is more common during off-peak seasons — fall, winter and early spring — and for flights with layovers.”
You can fly from Boston to Reykjavík for around $550 or from New York to London for about $650.
Understand the Factors That Influence Lower Prices
If you want to snag international tickets for less than the price of a domestic flight, it’s important to understand what drives prices down for out-of-country airfare.
The first is the good, old free market. “Increased competition among airlines on certain international routes drives down prices,” Sutherland said.
Another is low operating costs abroad. “Some international airports have lower fees than major U.S. hubs, which can be reflected in ticket prices,” he said.
In other cases, countries artificially lower prices to attract business and guests. “Certain governments offer subsidies or incentives to airlines flying to their countries, contributing to lower fares,” Sutherland said.
But whether you’re traveling internationally or flying a short haul to a neighboring city, remember that timing and research are the keys.
“Booking in advance and being flexible with dates can significantly impact pricing,” Sutherland said. “Utilize online travel agencies and fare comparison tools to find the best deals or connect with travel companies to curate the best travel plans.”
Finally, don’t be blinded by low fares that come with hidden fees and add-ons.
“Factor in additional expenses like baggage fees and ground transportation to get an accurate picture of the total cost,” Sutherland said.
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