20 Places That Will Be Cheaper to Fly to in 2020

Meghan JonesUpdated: Dec. 10, 2019

We 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.

Young woman in international airport with luggage on travelator

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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.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Darci V.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Molly A.

Dawn in Nairobi National Park with buildings in background

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Sadie J.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Darci V.

Ray of light at Hassan II Mosque, largest mosque in Morocco. Shot after sunset at blue hour in Casablanca.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Willis O.

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Daniel B.

aerial view of the haven of peace, city of Dar es Salaam

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

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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:

Recommended by: Daniel B.

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

The General view of Dubrovnik - Fortresses Lovrijenac and Bokar seen from south old walls a. Croatia. South Dalmatia.

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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:

Recommended by: Daniel B.

Panorama of Budapest, Hungary, with the Chain Bridge and the Parliament

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

twilight sky sunset at han river seoul city korea

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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:

Recommended by: Daniel B.

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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:

Recommended by: Willis O.

Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge in Sao Paulo Brazil at twilight

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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:

Recommended by: Darci V.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Molly A.

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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.

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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:

Recommended by: Daniel B.

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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:

Recommended by: Scott’s Cheap Flights Expert Julian M.

Originally Published: December 05, 2019

Meghan Jones

Meghan Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could write. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been writing for Reader's Digest since 2017. In spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece "Anticipation" was published in Angles literary magazine.