Can you believe we’re already halfway through January? It feels like we just blinked after New Year’s and suddenly the holiday glitter has been replaced with…well, gray skies and sprawling to-do lists.
With the holidays behind us and the first few weeks of the year settling in, it’s easy to get lost in the whirlwind of work, errands, and the general “how-is-it-still-this-cold?” feeling. Add in the endless rainy, cloudy days and the bone-chilling temperatures, and this time of year can feel like it’s stretching on forever.
But let’s be honest—there are way worse places to endure winter woes than right here. Our city might be a little frosty, but it’s bursting with events, activities, and reasons to get out and explore, no matter the season.
Still, even with all the local excitement, we can’t ignore the siren call of sunshine and warmer weather. And thankfully, escaping the cold isn’t too tricky when you’ve got a handful of nearby airports ready to whisk you away.
In fact, new research from SkyScanner has uncovered the 10 most affordable destinations to fly to this year. Whether you’re craving palm trees, sandy beaches, or simply a break from your heater that’s working overtime, there’s an option to satisfy every wanderlust craving—without sending your bank account into hibernation.
The research is based on thousands of flight routes and millions of bookings, which identified the 10 cheapest destinations to fly to from the U.S. in 2026, based on average roundtrip airfare.
Lourdes Losada, Director of Americas at Skyscanner said:
January travel planning is hugely important to Americans, as vacations provide a much-needed moment to look forward to in the post-holiday period,” says Losada. “Sadly, our research shows that in 2026, many Americans are overwhelmed at the prospect of booking (57 percent), with costs top of mind for most (71 percent).
✈️ The most affordable destinations to fly to from the US
- Las Vegas, Nevada: $23z
- San Salvador, El Salvador: $282
- Miami, Florida: $284
- Kahului (Maui), Hawaii: $329
- Orlando, Florida: $353
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: $365
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: $375
- Mexico City, Mexico: $402
- Cancún, Mexico: $411
- Milan, Italy: $559
Warm weather and new sites are ahead! So pack your coziest socks… and maybe a swimsuit too. Winter may be stubborn, but your next adventure doesn’t have to be! Happy traveling, NYC!