20 Places That Will Be Cheaper to Fly to in 2020
Updated: Dec. 10, 2019We got some insight from flight experts keeping an eye on flight deals, past, present, and future, to determine which international destinations will get you the most bang for your buck in the coming year.
Come fly with me
As the new decade approaches, it can seem like everything is just getting more and more expensive. Sure, traveling to a new place sounds great, but flights are a major chunk of change. Well, there’s good news—if you know where to look, you can find flights that are not only not crazy expensive but are also cheaper than they used to be.
The experts at Scott’s Cheap Flights, an email subscription service that sends alerts about cheap or discounted flights to its two million members, have compiled a list of 20 bucket-list destinations that they predict will have great flight deals in 2020. “Forecasting fares isn’t an exact science, but our flight experts have the scoop on new and existing airline routes and historical pricing trends (including data on the great cheap flights we saw in 2019), and they can use their knowledge to make some predictions,” explains Andrew Hickey, Senior Manager of Public Relations & Social Media at Scott’s Cheap Flights. Here are the places where they expect to see great flight deals in 2020. And click here to sign up to receive even more great deals like these from Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
According to Hickey, Argentina is usually a fairly reasonable travel destination—but that doesn’t mean inexpensive flights are very common or easy to find. For instance, in October of this year, United Airlines suspended its nonstop route from Newark, in the greater New York City area, to Buenos Aires due to low demand. Luckily, in 2018 American Airlines started the first-ever nonstop route to the Argentinian capital from the West Coast of the United States, an LAX–EZE route (EZE is the airport code for Buenos Aires). Norwegian Air (of all airlines!) has also recently filed route requests that would go from various U.S. cities to EZE. With more routes and more competition, the flight experts expect prices to drop. This is the real difference between a nonstop flight and a direct flight.
These are some of the cheap flights to Argentina we saw in 2019:
- JFK to Buenos Aires for $433 roundtrip
- LAX to Buenos Aires for $442 roundtrip
- Houston to Buenos Aires for $648 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Darci V.
Japan
Yes, really—this Asian destination, nearly 5,500 miles from the West Coast of the United States, is on the list of places to snag a flight to in 2020! Recently, flights to Japan have become more affordable as more routes have opened up to cities besides Tokyo. You can fly to spots in the south of the country, such as Osaka and Fukuoka, for cheaper than you’d think. New routes have also been added to Haneda, one of Tokyo’s two major airports, which will hopefully help flight costs go down. Just keep in mind, though, that the Tokyo Olympics are taking place this summer, and flight costs will likely be pretty high around those times. When you’re planning a trip, keep in mind these 16 tips to get the best airfare possible.
These are some of the cheap flights to Japan we saw in 2019:
- San Jose to Tokyo for $290 roundtrip
- Philadelphia to Osaka for $378 roundtrip
- Las Vegas to Tokyo for $342 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Molly A.
Nairobi, Kenya
Flights to this East African nation have increased since Kenya Airways joined a venture with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airways in 2018. And while flights to Kenya are still more expensive than more common destinations, like European cities and Central American tropical destinations, they’re definitely getting cheaper. Scott’s Cheap Flights mentions Nairobi in particular as a city to keep an eye on for 2020 flight deals, especially from the East Coast of the U.S. Like Tokyo (and Japan in general), prices will most likely be higher in the summer, because Kenya is hosting the IAAF 2020 World Championships in July.
These are some of the cheap flights to Kenya we saw in 2019:
- NYC, San Francisco, or Chicago to Nairobi for $557 roundtrip
- Atlanta to Nairobi for $584 roundtrip
- Milwaukee to Nairobi for $574 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Sadie J.
Hawaii
This wildly popular bucket list destination will most likely be cheaper to fly to in 2020, now that Southwest has introduced routes from California cities like San Diego and San Jose to all four Hawaiian islands. And it’s not just Southwest flights that are pretty reasonable; other airlines have responded in kind and prices seem to be dipping, especially for flights from one island to another. Find out some things you should definitely consider before booking a Hawaii vacation.
These are some of the cheap flights to Hawaii we saw in 2019:
- San Francisco nonstop to Hawaii island for $298 roundtrip
- San Diego nonstop to Maui for $282 roundtrip
- Boise to Oahu for $351 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Darci V.
Casablanca, Morocco
You’ve seen the film—now go see the real place! In 2018, the Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc upped its number of flights to Casablanca, including ones from New York; Washington, D.C.; Miami; and Boston. American Airlines is also adding a route to Casablanca from Philadelphia that will start in June 2020.
These are some of the cheap flights to Morocco we saw in 2019:
- Charlotte to Casablanca for $506 roundtrip
- Dallas to Marrakesh for $494 roundtrip
- Indianapolis to Casablanca for $545 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Willis O.
Alaska
Here’s another amazing destination that doesn’t require your passport. Flight prices to Alaska dropped in 2019 and are expected to continue, mostly because Alaska Airlines and Delta are competing to provide the best deals out of Seattle. You can also find great Delta deals out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Detroit to Alaskan cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks. Unfortunately, there aren’t many great deals to Alaska directly from the East Coast—yet—but opting for a layover in a city serviced by Delta or Alaska Airlines can save you some dough on your overall trip. And it just so happens that Alaska is one of the places travel experts say are must-sees for 2020.
These are some of the cheap flights to Alaska we saw in 2019:
- Detroit to Anchorage for $314 roundtrip
- Albuquerque to Anchorage for $349 roundtrip
- Seattle to Anchorage for $154 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
London, United Kingdom
Now could be your time to travel to the Jolly Old! More airlines than ever are offering flights from throughout the United States to London, according to Hickey: American, Delta, United, British Airways, and Norwegian Air, to name a few. And the more options there are, the more competition there is, which (hopefully!) means we’ll see good deals and dropping prices. What’s more, Virgin Atlantic and Delta entered a joint venture in 2019 that’s also adding more routes to London.
These are some of the cheap flights to London we saw in 2019:
- NYC nonstop to London for $328 roundtrip
- Anchorage to London for $569 roundtrip
- Detroit to London for $358 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
India
Here’s another destination that’s so far away that it may not cross your mind that the flight could be affordable. And while it may not be as inexpensive a trip as many of the others on this list, flight prices do seem to be going down. Most notably, Delta Air Lines flights from New York to Mumbai, which were discontinued in 2015, are going to be operating again starting later in December. Plus, as Hickey points out, India is a very inexpensive country once you get there! He advises that once you’re in India, flights within the country are very affordable, as are flights to other Asian destinations like Turkey, Myanmar, and Vietnam. So consider making a big, multi-city or multi-country trip out of it!
These are some of the cheap flights to India we saw in 2019:
- New York to Chennai for $614 roundtrip
- Atlanta to Mumbai for $673 roundtrip
- Chicago to New Delhi for $662 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Daniel B.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The East African nation of Tanzania, located just south of Kenya, is more accessible than ever from the United States, thanks to the same venture that’s increasing flights to Kenya. Most trips connect somewhere in Europe and then travel to Tanzania on Kenya Airways. But this isn’t the only way to get there; airlines like United, Brussels, and Ethiopian also offer easy routes to Dar es Salaam, on Tanzania’s east coast. Dar es Salaam is just a short plane ride away from Arusha, another Tanzanian city and a major starting point for Serengeti safaris and visits to Mount Kilimanjaro. Sounds like a great option for one of the winter travel destinations for 2020 that won’t break the bank.
These are some of the cheap flights to Tanzania we saw in 2019:
- Seattle to Tanzania for $573 roundtrip
- Chicago to Tanzania for $618 roundtrip
- NYC to Tanzania for $665 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
Zürich, Switzerland
Zürich is a very accessible destination from the United States, with plenty of routes from various American airports. Once you’re there, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to several other European destinations, including Austria, France, and the tiny Liechtenstein, which is celebrating its tricentennial this year. And a new route is opening up in 2020—Washington, D.C. to Zürich via Swiss International Air Lines—which will add some more competition and keep prices down.
These are some of the cheap flights to Zürich we saw in 2019:
- Baltimore to Zürich for $383 roundtrip
- Boston to Zürich for $313 roundtrip
- Columbia to Zürich for $335 roundtrip
Recommended by: Daniel B.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Singapore’s neighbor, Malaysia, might be a less popular destination, but, according to Hickey, it’s a whole lot less expensive. The Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways offers some great deals from the United States to Malaysia and is most likely going to continue to offer more. Large cities like New York, L.A., San Francisco, and Chicago will fly to the western Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur with a connection in Tokyo. All Nippon Airways’ “flights to Kuala Lumpur are some of the most solid fares to Southeast Asia that we see,” Hickey raves. (Psst: If you really have your heart set on Singapore, it’s a very cheap flight from Malaysia to Singapore once you’re there!) If you prefer staying stateside to travel, consider these 11 totally affordable U.S. cities.
These are some of the cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur we saw in 2019:
- Newark to Kuala Lumpur for $467 roundtrip
- San Francisco to Kuala Lumpur for $551 roundtrip
- Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur for $490 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
Former Yugoslav Republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia
Oh yes, this isn’t just one country. The Scott’s Cheap Flights experts have seen great deals to all of these Adriatic coast nations. They make a great budget-friendly option for European travel, and flight prices are dropping to make the getting there easier. You’ll connect through larger cities like Brussels and Frankfurt and head to lesser-known cities like Belgrade, Serbia; Zagreb, Croatia; and Ljubljana, Slovenia.
These are some of the cheap flights to the former Yugoslav Republic countries we saw in 2019:
- NYC to Belgrade for $193 roundtrip
- Minneapolis to Zagreb for $584 roundtrip
- Cincinnati to Ljubljana for $491 roundtrip
Recommended by: Daniel B.
Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary
Here’s another group of Eastern/Central European nations, probably a little better known—but still pretty affordable to get to! Since they’re less popular than some major Western European cities, flight deals haven’t been quite as common, but that’s changing as several airlines boost their routes. LOT Polish Airlines, for instance, is now offering routes from San Francisco, and American Airlines is adding routes to Krakow, Poland; Budapest, Hungary; and Prague, Czech Republic. Learn more about these up-and-coming hot spots with our breakdown of popular Eastern European travel destinations.
These are some of the cheap flights to Central Europe we saw in 2019:
- Denver to Budapest for $492 roundtrip
- Phoenix to Warsaw for $554 roundtrip
- Chicago to Prague for $475 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
Seoul, South Korea
Delta Air Lines is currently in the process of moving its primary hub in Asia from Tokyo to Seoul, which will hugely boost flights to the capital of South Korea. The move will take place in 2020, so travelers will likely see Delta flights to Seoul from cities like Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Seattle. As Delta’s new routes compete with routes from Korean Air and Asiana, flights to this historically pricey destination are likely to decrease.
These are some of the cheap flights to South Korea we saw in 2019:
- Los Angeles to Seoul for $486 roundtrip
- Chicago, New York, or Seattle to Seoul for $682 roundtrip
- Houston to Seoul for $652 roundtrip
Recommended by: Daniel B.
France
Such a major destination has plenty of competition between major airlines, and it’s only increasing. The budget carrier LEVEL has some upcoming Boston–Paris offerings that will start in June 2020, and French Bee is rolling out a Newark–Paris flight in the same month. But it’s not just Paris that sees great deals! United, Air Canada, and others offer good deals to other French cities, like Nice and Toulouse. Here are some more bucket list destinations that are less expensive than you think.
These are some of the cheap flights to France we saw in 2019:
- New York nonstop to Paris for $285 roundtrip
- Charlotte to Nice for $493 roundtrip
- All over the US to Toulouse, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, or Paris in the high $400s
Recommended by: Willis O.
São Paulo, Brazil
If you’ve considered visiting the largest nation in South America, you’ve probably imagined flying into Rio de Janeiro, former home of the Summer Olympics. But flights are notably cheaper if you fly into São Paulo—which is no less bustling and exciting than Rio. On the contrary, São Paulo is actually a larger city—it’s the biggest city in South America! And you can get there from cities like New York, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas. Plus, once you’re there, you can usually get a round-trip flight to Rio for less than $100. Both São Paulo and Rio made our list of the most popular travel destinations in South America.
These are some of the cheap flights to São Paulo we saw in 2019:
- Philadelphia to São Paulo for $492 roundtrip
- Boston to São Paulo for $455 roundtrip
- Fort Lauderdale São Paulo for $493 roundtrip
Recommended by: Darci V.
Fiji
This ultra-friendly, luxurious, tropical nation, consisting of more than 300 islands, is located east of northern Australia. It’s a must-see destination but hasn’t always been easy to reach, especially from somewhere as far as the United States. But some flights in 2019 began to creep below $600 and will most likely continue to do so in 2020. Hickey also points out a “two-for-one deal” that flies passengers to both Sydney, Australia and Fiji, originating in Los Angeles, for $533, a spectacular deal for anyone with a trip to Oceania on their bucket list.
These are some of the cheap flights to Fiji we saw in 2019:
- 2-in-1 from Los Angeles to Fiji and Sydney for $533 roundtrip
- Las Vegas to Fiji for $498 roundtrip
- San Francisco nonstop to Fiji for $570 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Molly A.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde, is a nation of ten islands located off the coast of Northwestern Africa. It’s not one of the best-known destination and as such doesn’t have an overabundance of deals, but flight experts have spotted a couple now that Cabo Verde offers nonstop flights from Washington, D.C. And just because it’s not ultra-popular doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit, of course; it features some seriously stunning beaches. Here are some more spots to visit in 2020 before they get too popular.
These are some of the cheap flights to Cape Verde we saw in 2019:
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Robert F.
Thailand
This increasingly popular Southeast Asian destination has yet to have any nonstop flights from the United States, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t find good deals. The Japanese All Nippon Airways is the hero again, providing routes to Bangkok that connect through Tokyo. Korean Air also provides some routes that connect through Seoul.
These are some of the cheap flights to Thailand we saw in 2019:
- Seattle to Chiang Mai for $632 roundtrip
- San Francisco to Bangkok for $487 roundtrip
- Houston to Bangkok for $515 roundtrip
Recommended by: Daniel B.
Spain
The Iberian Peninsula’s star offering continues to be a desirable destination, and the flights there just keep getting more numerous. Norwegian Air, the budget airline LEVEL, and other carriers are ramping up direct flights from U.S. cities to Barcelona. Hickey also advises savvy travelers to keep an eye out for deals to the Spanish Canary Islands, too, especially from cities in Western Europe. Now that you have a jump on some potential air travel deals, find out some more ways air travel will change in 2020.
These are some of the cheap flights to Spain we saw in 2019:
- NYC to Las Palmas for $252 roundtrip
- Boston to Barcelona nonstop for $225 roundtrip
- Atlanta to Madrid for $235 roundtrip
Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Julian M.
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