Report Reveals the 15 Cheapest International Places to Fly in 2026

If international travel is on your radar for 2026, there’s good news: airfare to many overseas destinations is still surprisingly affordable — if you know where to look.

A new report analyzing tens of thousands of airfare data points has identified the 15 cheapest international destinations to fly to in 2026, factoring in historical pricing, deal frequency, and seasonal stability.

The focus wasn’t on one-off price glitches, but destinations where low fares appear consistently across the year.

Edmonton, Canada, September 11th 2025. Walterdale Bridge and downtown Edmonton skyline at dusk, Alberta, Canada — Thomas Roell / Shutterstock

15. Edmonton, Canada (YEG)
Average airfare: ~$239
Best time to visit: June–September
Edmonton routinely ranks among Canada’s most affordable international gateways, especially during summer when festivals and long daylight hours take over the city.

14. Calgary, Canada (YYC)
Average airfare: ~$252
Best time to visit: June–September
Calgary offers some of the cheapest access to the Canadian Rockies, with Banff and Lake Louise just a short drive away.

13. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
Average airfare: ~$261
Best time to visit: January–April
Often overlooked for resort-heavy Punta Cana, Santo Domingo delivers culture, history, and lower airfare than many Caribbean destinations.

12. Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
Average airfare: ~$239
Best time to visit: December–April
Flying into Liberia gives travelers easy access to Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches, often at the same price as larger hubs.

Landscape Panorama picture from Volcano Arenal next to the rainforest, Costa Rica. Travel in Central America. San Jose. — Photo credit: Ganz Twins // Shutterstock.com

11. San José, Costa Rica (SJO)
Average airfare: ~$239
Best time to visit: December–April
San José remains one of Central America’s most reliable budget-friendly airports, with steady deals throughout the dry season.

10. León/Guanajuato, Mexico (BJX)
Average airfare: ~$241
Best time to visit: November–March
This gateway to central Mexico offers colorful colonial cities and strong flight competition that helps keep prices down.

9. Oaxaca, Mexico (OAX)
Average airfare: ~$255
Best time to visit: October–March
Oaxaca continues to deliver standout value for travelers interested in food, culture, and festivals — without inflated airfare.

8. Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
Average airfare: ~$221
Best time to visit: October–April
As a major business hub, Monterrey benefits from frequent flights and consistent fare sales.

historical ruins of the mayans of uxmal in mérida yucatan mexico — Juan Pablo Hinojosa / Shutterstock

7. Mérida, Mexico (MID)
Average airfare: ~$218
Best time to visit: November–February
Mérida quietly remains one of Mexico’s cheapest cities to fly into, with easy access to cenotes and Mayan ruins.

6. Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
Average airfare: ~$221
Best time to visit: November–April
Guatemala City is a frequent deal destination and a convenient jumping-off point for Antigua and Lake Atitlán.

5. Medellín, Colombia (MDE)
Average airfare: ~$254
Best time to visit: December–March
Medellín’s steady airline competition keeps fares low while demand for the city continues to grow.

Lisbon, Portugal skyline with Sao Jorge Castle — Photo credit: TTstudio / Shutterstock.com

4. Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)
Average airfare: ~$491
Best time to visit: April–June or September–October
Lisbon consistently ranks as one of Europe’s cheapest capital cities to reach from the U.S., especially outside peak summer.

3. Vancouver, Canada (YVR)
Average airfare: ~$248
Best time to visit: May–June or September
Vancouver’s strong flight volume and West Coast proximity make it one of the easiest international trips on a budget.

2. Madrid, Spain (MAD)
Average airfare: ~$438
Best time to visit: April–June or September–October
Madrid remains one of the most affordable transatlantic gateways, with regular fare dips well below typical Europe pricing.

1. San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
Average airfare: ~$198
Best time to visit: December–March
San Salvador tops the list as the cheapest international destination to fly to in 2026, with consistently low fares and growing interest from U.S. travelers looking for beach access, volcano hikes, and colonial towns without the price tag.

For travelers who plan to stay closer to home in 2026, the same data also highlights the U.S. cities where airfare remains especially affordable, offering budget-friendly options without leaving the country.

Report: The 15 Cheapest Places to Fly in the U.S. in 2026

tourism, vacation and people concept - happy smiling young woman wearing hat with travel bag pack standing by the airplane and ready to departure. — Photo credit: Andrii Medvediuk // Shutterstock.com

Airfare data shows which U.S. destinations are delivering the lowest prices—and when to book for the best deals.

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Woman dressed in coat and hat walking on the famous square with great view on the Eiffel tower early in the morning in Paris — RossHelen / Shutterstock

A new analysis ran 350 forecasts across seven major AI models, and the results weren’t even close.

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Eagle Beach Aruba, Palm Trees on the shoreline of Eagle Beach in Aruba, a aerial drone view at the beach — fokke baarssen / Shutterstock

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