20 Amazing Destinations That Are Now More Affordable To Visit
Whether you’re planning a summer getaway or the vacation of a lifetime, there’s good news for your travel budget: Some of the best places to travel are among the most inexpensive vacation destinations of 2019, which means you can get a lot of bang for your vacation buck.
GOBankingRates used airfare research from Hipmunk and cost-of-living data from Numbeo to find the getaway destinations that have gotten cheaper to fly to and experience in 2019. These are the best vacation spots that are also surprisingly affordable to visit.
20. Hong Kong
2018 median flight booking price: $930
2019 median flight booking price: $824
Year-over-year price change for flights: -11.4%
You might be surprised that you can travel all the way to Hong Kong for just over $800. But there’s no telling how long these cheaper flights will last, so now could be the time to book. Once you’ve arrived, there are plenty of sightseeing activities that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Take a round-trip tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak for roughly $13, and experience views that are truly priceless.
Stay Domestic and Save: 15 Cheap Travel Spots That Are Worth Visiting
19. San Diego
2018 median flight booking price: $323
2019 median flight booking price: $304
Year-over-year price change for flights: -5.9%
This Southern California city’s most popular attraction is the San Diego Zoo, which is truly worth the $56 admission price because you can easily spend an entire day there. But if you don’t want to spend the cash, there are plenty of other things to keep you busy, from enjoying the local beaches to dining out — or having a night out — in San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter. Overall, it’s one of the best U.S. vacation cities for your wallet.
18. Nashville, Tennessee
2018 median flight booking price: $306
2019 median flight booking price: $282
Year-over-year price change for flights: -7.8%
Nashville, aka Music City, is a must-visit destination for country music fans. It’s home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry, as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which you can visit for as low as $25.95. You can also catch live performances by up-and-coming talent at the bars and honky-tonks dotting the famed Broadway.
17. Lisbon, Portugal
2018 median flight booking price: $838
2019 median flight booking price: $777
Year-over-year price change for flights: -7.3%
Lisbon is an affordable place to visit for foodies. The average cost of a meal for two is about $39, and the average cost of a domestic beer is $2.24 — both of which are the third-lowest amounts in their respective categories out of any place in this study. While you’re there, be sure to visit some of the capital’s historic landmarks, including the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery and Castelo de Sao Jorge.
16. St. Louis
2018 median flight booking price: $317
2019 median flight booking price: $288
Year-over-year price change for flights: -9.1%
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch is a distinguishing feature of the city’s skyline, and you can see it up close and personal from Gateway Arch National Park. You can even ride a tram to the top of the arch for $12-$16. The Missouri Botanical Garden and Forest Park are also worth a visit.
15. Paris
2018 median flight booking price: $609
2019 median flight booking price: $572
Year-over-year price change for flights: -6.1%
Go ahead and enjoy some French savoir-faire — it’s a better bargain than ever to head to Paris and do some people-watching at a cafe, nosh on Parisian pastries and, of course, visit the Eiffel Tower. But if you’re a beer drinker, beware. At $7.29, Paris has the priciest domestic beers of any place in this study.
Plan: A Dream Destination for Every Month in 2019
14. Houston
2018 median flight booking price: $291
2019 median flight booking price: $269
Year-over-year price change for flights: -7.6%
Houston is a cheap place to travel around once you get there. Local transportation costs an average of $1.25 per ride, which is the third-lowest transportation cost of the destinations analyzed. Attractions in this Southern city include the Johnson Space Center, the Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
13. Jacksonville, Florida
2018 median flight booking price: $320
2019 median flight booking price: $275
Year-over-year price change for flights: -14.1%
If you’re looking for a relaxing destination that’s affordable to fly to, consider Jacksonville. Swim, surf and sunbathe at Jacksonville Beach or Neptune Beach, or play a round of golf at one of the city’s numerous championship golf courses. There’s also plenty to explore, including the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
Related: These Are the Best Places To Invest in a Vacation Home, Study Finds
12. Dublin
2018 median flight booking price: $727
2019 median flight booking price: $683
Year-over-year price change for flights: -6.1%
It’s gotten cheaper to enjoy a pint in Dublin. Cost of living in the city decreased by 13.9% between 2018-19, the third-biggest drop of any destination in this study. But food is still relatively expensive, with the average meal for two costing $67 — tied with two other destinations for the second-highest cost for dining out. The capital city is of full of historical buildings to explore, including Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, plus numerous city parks, like Phoenix Park.
11. London
2018 median flight booking price: $684
2019 median flight booking price: $575
Year-over-year price change for flights: -15.9%
Cheaper airfare is just the start of an inexpensive London vacation. Take advantage of great sightseeing values when you buy The London Pass, which comes with a 24-hour ticket for hop-on-hop-off transportation. The bus will drop you off at a number of famous locations, where you can use your prepaid pass to gain admission to all the iconic sites you want to see, plus fast-track entry and a bonus sightseeing cruise on the Thames.
However, you should be prepared to spend more on dining out than in other destinations. The average cost of a meal for two is $66, and the average cost of a domestic beer is $6.56 — both of which are the third-highest costs in their respective categories. London is also the third-most expensive city to get around, with the average cost of a one-way local transportation ticket at $3.28.
10. Philadelphia
2018 median flight booking price: $326
2019 median flight booking price: $252
Year-over-year price change for flights: -22.7%
Pennsylvania’s largest city is a history buff’s dream destination — it’s home to both the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. Film buffs can also enjoy a trip to the City of Brotherly Love by visiting the memorable “Rocky” steps, located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Read: Scrap These Pointless Vacation Expenses So You Can Splurge On the Fun Stuff
9. Amsterdam
2018 median flight booking price: $726
2019 median flight booking price: $602
Year-over-year price change for flights: -17.1%
Amsterdam is tied with two other destinations in this study for the second-highest cost of dining out, with a meal for two coming out to $67 on average. It also has the second-highest cost to get around via local transportation, with the average cost of a one-way ticket at $3.36. You could always forgo public transportation, and opt for a bike rental instead — it’s the locals’ go-to way to get around the city’s historic and picturesque canals.
8. Rome
2018 median flight booking price: $834
2019 median flight booking price: $677
Year-over-year price change for flights: -18.8%
There’s no better time to explore the world’s most famous ancient ruins — such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum — that hearken back to the days of the powerful Roman empire. Check out traces of ancient residences, roads and aqueducts, or be awed by the masterful frescoes, sculptures and paintings. You can expect to pay $61.68 for a two-person meal, $5.61 for a domestic beer and $1.68 per ticket to get around on local transportation.
Compare: 20 Cheapest and Most Expensive Destinations To Visit This Summer
7. Sydney
2018 median flight booking price: $1,417
2019 median flight booking price: $1,168
Year-over-year price change for flights: -17.6%
Going “Down Under” is pricey in terms of flights, but it’s significantly cheaper in 2019 compared to 2018. Make the most of your trip there by catching a show at the Syndey Opera House, getting some sun at Bondi Beach and visiting the popular Darling Harbour.
6. Barcelona, Spain
2018 median flight booking price: $749
2019 median flight booking price: $613
Year-over-year price change for flights: -18.2%
Take advantage of some of the least expensive flights to Europe to explore the exotic and romantic city of Barcelona with its roots dating back to Neolithic times. Check out the fanciful modernist architecture, soak up the sun on a vast expanse of beach or explore the Gothic Quarter’s winding streets.
Don’t Miss: 30 Most Affordable Places To Visit in Europe
5. São Paulo
2018 median flight booking price: $1,264
2019 median flight booking price: $1,097
Year-over-year price change for flights: -13.2%
You can experience São Paulo for roughly 18% less in 2019 compared to the previous year. The city had the second-largest decrease in the cost of living out of all the destinations in this study, and it’s now the second-cheapest destination to dine out, with the average meal for two costing about $38 and the average domestic beer costing $2.02. São Paulo is also the cheapest place to get around, with the average cost of a local one-way ticket at $1.08.
This Brazilian city is distinguished by its wide range of architectural styles, from modern skyscrapers to colonial churches. There are also plenty of unique neighborhoods to explore, from the Italian community of Bela Vista to the high-class Jardins area.
4. Madrid
2018 median flight booking price: $955
2019 median flight booking price: $695
Year-over-year price change for flights: -27.2%
If you want to visit Madrid, now’s the time — flight costs dropped the third-largest amount by percentage between 2018-19 of any vacation destination in this study. It’s also a surprisingly safe and affordable place to visit. There’s no shortage of things to do in Spain’s capital, from club-hopping and dining at tapas bars to visiting historic places like the Royal Palace and museums like the Museo Nacional del Prado.
3. Zurich
2018 median flight booking price: $1,223
2019 median flight booking price: $788
Year-over-year price change for flights: -35.6%
The median cost of flights to Zurich decreased by more than a third from 2018 to 2019, which was the second-largest decrease of any destination in this study. However, be prepared to spend a lot of cash on dining out, with the average meal for two costing $98 — the most of any place ranked. Zurich also has the second-most expensive domestic beer, with an average cost of $6.89. It’s the most expensive destination to get around with the average cost of a one-way ticket on local transportation costing $4.03. But the picturesque town is arguably worth the costs, bringing together the old and the new in one unique setting.
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
2018 median flight booking price: $1,499
2019 median flight booking price: $1,191
Year-over-year price change for flights: -20.5%
Not only have flight costs dropped to get to this South American destination, but living costs have also dropped by 37% — the largest decrease of any place in this study. It’s now the cheapest place to dine out of the included destinations, with the average meal for two costing about $22 and the average cost of a domestic beer at $1.79. Buenos Aires is also the cheapest place to get around, with the average cost of a local one-way ticket at just 38 cents.
Buenos Aires is one of the places you can visit for less than $100 a day. Popular places to tour include the La Boca area, the Cementerio de la Recoleta, the Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada.
1. Florence, Italy
2018 median flight booking price: $2,251
2019 median flight booking price: $992
Year-over-year price change for flights: -55.2%
Florence had the most dramatic drop in flight costs out of all the destinations in this ranking, from over $2,000 to under $1,000 for airfare. However, the cost of experiencing this city — and its food — can be high. The average cost of a meal for two in Florence is $67, the second-highest amount of any place in this study, but the pizza, pasta and gelato might be worth every penny. Florence is also home to many famous works of art, from Michelangelo’s David to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus.”
How To Travel For Cheap in 2019
A stronger global economy and growing travel demand for 2019 means some vacation destinations will be more expensive than ever, but deals can still be found, especially in the places highlighted in this study. However, before you book, it’s important to note that cost-of-living rankings don’t account for housing, and hotel costs were not considered in GOBankingRates’ ranking.
Besides planning a getaway to these affordable destinations, you can keep travel costs down when you choose the cheapest times to travel and take advantage of free entertainment and inexpensive eats.
Click through to see the travel hot spots where your dollar goes the furthest.
More on Travel
Jodi Thornton-O’Connell contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates found the 20 destinations that are getting cheaper to visit by scoring year-over-year median flight costs, sourced from Tailwind by Hipmunk, and by scoring year-over-year cost-of-living index differences, sourced from Numbeo.com. The cost-of-living data that was used in this study doesn’t account for a given city’s rental and housing costs. All cost-of-living calculations were based on 2018-19. Both flight and cost-of-living categories were assigned an individual score, and the two scores were then combined to determine which cities are getting cheaper to visit. GOBankingRates also included the cost of a meal for two people at a midrange restaurant, the cost of a domestic beer and the cost of a one-way ticket on local transportation as supplemental information for each city, but these three factors did not contribute to the overall score.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Amazing Destinations That Are Now More Affordable To Visit
