As summer draws to a close, it doesn’t mean our volunteers’ travel plans have to end, too. On this list, you’ll discover at least one destination that will ignite your wanderlust, with many of them being locations where we have Globe Aware programs!

September Is The Cheapest Month For Americans To Fly To These 5 Incredible Destinations

September 1, 2024
By: Megi Canco
Travel Off Path

Just because summer’s coming to an end doesn’t mean your travel plans have to, too.

The insufferable crowds have started to dissipate, temperatures are coming back down to Earth, and best of all, airfare to some of the world’s most incredible destinations has plummeted, giving adventurous travelers on a budget the opportunity of a lifetime.

No matter how long you want your flights to be or what you’re looking to get out of your end-of-season vacation, chances are you’ll find at least one place that’ll spark your wanderlust somewhere in this article.

Bangkok, Thailand

 If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent a good chunk of summer sighing at pictures of Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and Grand Palace, wishing you’d gotten to see Bangkok along with the millions of lucky travelers that flocked to the Thai capital these past couple of months.

As it turns out, though, all the waiting around and severe FOMO might’ve been worth it – plane ticket prices between the U.S. and Bangkok have officially reached their annual low!

According to Skyscanner, round-trip tickets will start at just $597 this month (and no, that’s not a typo).

Granted, that price tag only applies to a couple of specific New York flights, but ticket prices are being discounted all across the board, making it relatively easy for U.S. travelers to fly to the Thai capital and back for well under $1000 – considering you’ll be covering close to 9000 miles each way, that’s a steal!

Seoul, South Korea

 Be it the fantastic sights, fascinating culture, dreamy 77°F (25°C) weather, or affordable prices, there’s just something about Seoul this time of year that travelers just can’t seem to get enough of.

And if the premise of Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Namsan Park amidst the color-changing leaves isn’t enough to get you to book a ticket to Seoul ASAP, checking out the current airfare rates might just be that last push you need.

If you book now, you’ll be able to find round-trip tickets priced at just a little under $700, and a quick Google search will tell you that that’s a deal you just don’t come across very often.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

 Let’s say the idea of a 10+ hour flight doesn’t sit quite right with you, but you still want to take advantage of the seasonal price drops – that’s when you book a flight to Puerto Rico instead.

Take advantage of these last bits of summer sun by lounging around in one of the many, many stunning beaches of San Juan (Escambrón, in particular, is not to be missed).

Not only are temperatures right now at a perfect 75°F to 88°F (24°C to 31°C) range, but tickets have also reached their annual low, starting at just $70-something for a round-trip flight!

Lima, Peru

 Speaking of Latin American gems you can visit on a budget, I don’t think Lima gets enough credit for how much of an immersive experience it promises its tourists.

Here, you’ll spend your days strolling along the stunning Malecón, exploring Plaza Mayor and the Monastery of San Francisco, indulging in the freshest, most succulent ceviche, and basking in that 68°F (20°C) weather.

And you’ll get to do all that for pretty cheap, too!

Starting with travel, you can expect to pay anywhere between $290 and $500 for a round-trip flight from most airports, which in and of itself can take a lot of financial pressure off your trip.

Accommodation follows a similar pricing trend, especially now that the summer crowds have calmed down.

Your average 3-star hotel near the city center charges anywhere between $15 and $40 a night. For example, you can stay in Casa Lima right in the Lima Historic Centre for just $22 a night!

Considering that most restaurant meals hover around the $10 mark (per person), it’s safe to assume that your daily expenses won’t exceed $100.

Split, Croatia

Planning a budget-friendly European city break in the fall can be tricky since that’s when prices can actually start rising, but there’s one (gorgeous) exception to this rule.

You’ve all heard of Dubrovnik and while,yes, it really is as jaw-dropping as they say, it can also turn into an overcrowded nightmare this time of year.

That’s why I’ve always favored Split when visiting Croatia.

It boasts the same unbelievable views and beachy allure but with far fewer people and better prices – talk about a win-win!

But if you want to get the most out of your Split trip this year, you’ll have to book those tickets fast – this September you can get there and back for under $500, and believe me, that’s not the case the rest of the year, so if there’s ever been a time to be spontaneous in your travels, it’s right now.