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According to Skyscanner, travelers are still scouring the best spots before pulling the trigger on the best deal.
Whether it’s mountain hideaways, sprawling cities or sandy beaches, summer is perhaps the best season to get out and explore the coast or wipe away with your favorite cocktail in hand.
Before you burn through your PTO, you’ve probably already done some price checks, but we’re here to help Price is good guessing game out of the equation.
Maybe we’ll do those mountain hikes and city trips later, but today we’ll focus solely on sun and sand.
The latest insight from SkyScanner reveals 4 beautiful US coastal holidays with the cheapest flights this summerthat you’re sure to enjoy, whether it’s fun boardwalks, luxury resorts, or the quintessential SoCal vibe you’ve been dreaming of.
4) San Diego, CA ☀️
After a much-needed overhaul of San Diego International Airport, figure-eight traffic is no longer a problem, and there are plenty of flights to get here, despite only having one runway.
Flights are average less than $300 round tripa bargain for such a renowned summer paradise.
With “May Gray” gone and “June Gloom” entering its final chapter, July through September is peak season for my hometown of San Diego.
But don’t worry. I won’t keep secret the secret spots that Arizona and Nevada road trippers have yet to discover.
Solana Beach is my favorite, like many other locals, because there are no resorts outside the Del Mar city limits, and it makes for a great base with so many cool neighboring towns like Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
The beaches this far north are also largely free of bacteria, something tourists should do always check before entering the waters of San Diego, given its proximity to Mexico.
San Diego also feels very safe.
Our current Safety Index score, as voted by travelers, is 84/100:
3) Charleston, SC 🦪
Charleston is one of the most ‘turn-back-the-clock’ cities in all of America, where one minute you’ll be dining in a hole-in-the-wall that’s stood the test of time for more than a century, and the next you’ll be strolling past gas-lit streets, pastel-colored houses and church steeples that make the entire city feel like a living postcard.
But what Charleston is not known for are the many beaches within easy reach.
It turns out that gazing at the city’s timeless allure distracts many tourists from enjoying beach days, but where do you think the infamously epic seafood comes from?
Many valuable beaches are just steps away, such as Folly Beachand it just makes it worth it to go to SC this summer since the flights are so low.
Skyscanner reports that return fares average just $256.
Better yet, Charleston is considered super safe and welcoming with its distinct “Southern hospitality.”
Our current Safety Index score stands at a remarkable 89/100:
2) Myrtle Beach, SC 🎡
Do you see a theme here?
South Carolina dominates the list for affordable coastlines, but the difference is that Myrtle Beach is a well-known vacation destination for beaches.
That’s not to say you can’t enjoy Southern cuisine like Charleston, but there’s no denying that it’s a classic beach destination.
From the seaside Ferris wheel to the beachside hotels, throw in a few mini golf or carnival games and you’re set for a budget-friendly, relaxing holiday that doesn’t pretend to be anything else.
That said, we’d be remiss not to mention “Dirty Myrtle’s” reputation, even though it’s packed every summer.
Round-trip flights average just $220 and come in 2nd overall for the cheapest travel across America.
1) Punta Gorda, Florida 🌅
Punta Gorda is the cheapest coastal destination in the United States, thanks in large part to Allegiant Airlines, which now also owns Sun Country Airlines, so you have even more options for getting here.
However, Punta Gorda was once Florida’s new trendy hotspot, again thanks to Allegiant delving into the resort industry by opening its own Sunseeker Resort.
It was not released and was sold last year, and is now operated as Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The reason is that prices were high because there was no good beach on offer, as there are endless options in the rest of Florida.
If you’re the type who likes to kick back and not leave the resort, Punta Gorda is perfect, otherwise it’s best served as a springboard to take advantage of cheap rates and visit icons like Siesta Key, Clearwater, or my personal favorite, Nokomis.
Punta Gorda is the only city where round-trip fares average less than $200.
