Going
6 summer trips to book based on your budget
Preheader
Live in the Going app now!
We always encourage travelers to book in the Goldilocks Window. That means 1–3 months in advance for domestic travel and 2–8 months ahead for international. For peak seasons—think summer vacation, winter holidays, and St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin—you should add a few months to that. More like 3–6 months ahead for domestic and 4–10 months for international.
But, this isn’t a usual year.
Given economic uncertainty and fewer international arrivals, it’s looking like you’ll be able to snag more last-minute flights. Those deals may be cheaper than we typically see, and they may stick around longer for you to book.
Smart travelers know, however, that cheap last-minute flights are never guaranteed. So if you’re hoping for a good deal, these summer fares—available now in the Going app—may be your last chance at finding a steal, even despite this wacky, cheap-flights world we are currently living in.
Here, we’re highlighting destinations that you could consider based on your budget, loosely accounting for the costs of things like accommodation, transportation, and food when you get there as well. These are sample deals that we’ve found in the past several days, meaning they may or may not still be available. We tried to pick ones that we think are likely to stick around, though, so you have a better chance of booking the deal.
Save while you hydrate
If you're looking for an affordable summer vacation, then you'll love finding affordable ways to get hydrated while you travel! Buying drinks in airports can cost an arm and a leg, and you need to drink more than just water to keep hydrated while you travel.
Luckily, there's LMNT! It's a tasty electrolyte drink that replenishes your body with its science-backed ratio of 1000mg sodium, 200mg potassium, and 60mg magnesium to help prevent dehydration. It comes in small travel packs that you can mix into water to save some money while you travel. And they come in awesome flavors so you can easily find one you like.
Order now and get a free sample pack with your purchase!
$
Banff National Park/Calgary
- Departure: Atlanta (ATL)
- Availability: June–December 2025
- Going deal cost: $224 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $550+ roundtrip (59% off)
Looking for an epic hiking adventure before summer's up? This deal’s got you covered. Weather is still tolerable for those who are skeptical of the off-season in our chilly northern neighbor. Fly into Calgary (YYC) to experience the slightly-more-cosmopolitan side of Alberta before setting off for one of the prettiest locales in the Canadian Rockies.
Costa Rica
- Departure: Denver (DEN)
- Availability: May–December 2025 (also January–March 2026)
- Going deal cost: $246 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $750+ roundtrip (67% off)
Late summer in Costa Rica means peak sea turtle viewing opportunities on the Caribbean Coast, the beginning of whale-watching season, and, as always, optimal beach weather in the drier areas on the country's Pacific Coast. Promise you’ll think of us when you’re soaking up a bit of that pura vida?
$$
Aruba
- Departure: Newark (EWR)
- Availability: May–November 2025
- Going deal cost: $321 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $550+ roundtrip (41% off)
At just 12 degrees north of the equator, Aruba is well outside the Caribbean “hurricane belt,” making it a much safer choice in summer for travelers who are looking for sunshine and clear waters. But be warned: The Aruba Tourism Authority confidently boasts that the island has the highest visitor repeat ratio (65%) of all islands in the Caribbean, so only go for this deal if you’re okay with Aruba being a place you return to again and again and again.
Iceland
- Departure: Chicago (ORD)
- Availability: September–December 2025 (also January–February 2026)
- Going deal cost: $389 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $780+ roundtrip (50% off)
Iceland is popular, and peak summer can be a bit messy. Traveling in early September means that most of the country's main natural attractions are still open and roads are still passable, but the crowds have thinned out. It’s the perfect time to take in all those windswept black-sand beaches, turquoise glacial lagoons, mossy lava fields, raging waterfalls—and yes, even the ever-popular geothermal hot springs.
Get to your gate faster with CLEAR+
We’ve teamed up with CLEAR because we believe finding cheap flights should come with stress-free travel. As a valued Going member, you get 2 months free!
$$$
Paris
- Departure: Los Angeles (LAX)
- Availability: May 2025, August–September 2025
- Going deal cost: $464 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $950+ roundtrip (51% off)
Norse Atlantic is notorious for toeing the line with offseason-level fares right at the edge of high season. Getting to Europe—the most romantic city on Earth, no less—nonstop for less than $500 roundtrip in August is a pretty hard offer to beat. And don’t forget: You always have the Greek Islands Trick in your back pocket. Even if Paris isn’t your vibe, once you’re on the European continent, it’s relatively easy to find cheap flights (or even trains) to other cities like London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and beyond.
Japan
- Departure: San Francisco (SFO)
- Availability: August 2025
- Going deal cost: $582 roundtrip
- Typical cost: $1,170+ roundtrip (50% off)
Zipair has a handful of August dates at silly good prices, nonstop from the West Coast to Tokyo. Even with add-ons like bags and meals, these prices are a steal. Not based on the West Coast? That doesn’t have to be a deal breaker (see what we did there?). Consider repositioning yourself to San Francisco—better yet, use credit card points or airline miles to do it—so you can still take advantage of this stellar deal.
Got travel questions? Our crew of experts is ready to answer your travel-related questions in a future newsletter. Send in your questions using this form, and if we choose yours to answer in a future email, we’ll give you a free year of Premium membership.
Cool stuff we like
- Summer like Pablo Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald in this French Riviera beach town
- NYC book bars are putting the “lit” in literature
- Is wifi ruining the sanctity of flight? CNT editors weigh in. On which side of the aisle are you?!
- You’ve Marie Kondo-ed your closet. Maybe it’s time to Kondo your suitcase
- Trusted Housesitters connects homeowners and house and pet sitters so you can work remotely without paying for accommodations. Get 20% off all new subscriptions with code GOING20*
Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend.