Best Travel Destinations On a Budget
Thanks to Skyscanner our Affiliate Partner for this report
Key Takeaways
- New York City is the top city travel destination if you’re on a budget.
- The most affordable cities for round-trip flights are Miami, Los Angeles and Denver.
- The cities with the most affordable nightly hotel prices are Oklahoma City, Houston, and San Antonio.
Finding Your Next Domestic Destination
Hardly anything is affordable these days, and travel is no exception. While economic inflation and the ongoing recession can make traveling seem impossible, exposure to new places and cultures is invaluable. So, since the Skyscanner team has so much data on the subject, we created a guide to help you choose the most affordable destination for your next adventure.
Using data on thousands of flights, hotels, restaurants and attractions, we’ve listed the most affordable domestic trips based on which aspects you’re most interested in. Keep scrolling to see our breakdown.
Best Budget Destinations
The study kicks off with a “meta-ranking” that combines data from every angle we covered, from flight and hotel affordability to how much there is to do and see in the city.
New York City is the number one most affordable destination, all things (flights, restaurants, etc.) considered. Of course, this city also offers some of the world’s most elite and expensive hotels, restaurants, and attractions, should you be so inclined. But for our budget-conscious travelers, this city’s stats ranked it the most affordable overall.
New York’s affordability ranking appeared to be heavily influenced by its affordable attractions. Wonders like Central Park are free to the public and can occupy an entire day or more. Trip Advisor, who provided our attraction-based data, also recommends the Brooklyn Bridge, the High Line and taking in the breathtaking Manhattan skyline as some of the best free attractions.
There’s also a highly efficient and affordable subway system to help travelers navigate it all. Despite its high ranking, New York City didn’t come in first for every travel budget factor, so keep reading to see which cities topped the list for specific costs.
Top Destinations by Category
Moving past the overall average and into individual attributes, we’ve ranked U.S. cities by one specific category at a time: most affordable prices for round-trip flights, nightly hotel stays and dining plus the total number of attractions and outdoor activities.
The flight may be your most costly consideration if you’re planning to fly instead of drive. Based on flight data from the past six months, Miami, Los Angeles and Denver have been the three most affordable cities to fly round-trip. On average, it costs under $100 to fly into Miami domestically.
While Miami did not make it to the top of any other affordability considerations, most of its coastline and beaches are free to visit and take a dip! Los Angeles also ranked very highly for the affordability of its attractions. Trip Advisor recommends free options like the Getty Center, the Griffith Observatory and more.
Factoring in accommodation costs will be crucial to budget planning if your trip requires a few hotel nights. For this affordability aspect, Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Tulsa, and Wichita ranked in the top five spots. Depending on the length of your stay, a visit to one of these places can save you a pretty penny!
Planning Your Next Trip
Travel can be expensive, especially in this economy. But sometimes, the problem is the solution. With some strategic planning, there’s a good chance that budget restrictions will direct you to one of your most treasured trips yet.
New York City will be your best bet considering everything from hotels to attractions, food and flights. But if you need to focus on flight cost, perhaps Miami will be best for you. Whatever your interests or budgetary concerns, a great and affordable destination might be right around the corner — or at least a cheap flight away!
Methodology
The meta-ranking for the best U.S. cities for budget-conscious travel synthesized the following six variables for each city:
- Flight prices [weight = 25%]
- Hotel prices, specifically the average of the eight cheapest listings in November 2022 [weight = 25%]
- Total number of attractions, according to Trip Advisor [weight = 20%]
- Restaurant price index, according to Numbeo [weight = 20%]
- Total number of cheap outdoor activities (priced between $0 and $25 per person), according to Trip Advisor [weight = 10%]
About Skyscanner
Skyscanner helps travelers find and reach their dream destinations as easily and affordably as possible. All available travel options and ideas are compiled into one easy-to-navigate place. Let the journey begin.
Fair Use Statement
Travel can and should feed the soul of anyone who wants, regardless of wallet size. If you know someone who might benefit from our findings, you’re welcome to share it. Just be sure your purposes are noncommercial and that you link back to this page.
Fly and More with Skyscanner
BOOK NOW Find Best Deals and Low Price
To find best deals for your next Holiday or personalized tour contact us on
mentaltourit2022@gmail.com
or write us
