Planning a trip to Florida can be an exciting endeavor, but the costs of airfare can make or break your budget. Finding the cheapest days and times to fly to Florida can help you save big on your next sunny getaway. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about securing the best deals on flights to Florida.
When are the cheapest times to fly to Florida?
In general, the cheapest times to fly to Florida are:
- September to mid-December (except around Thanksgiving week)
- January to mid-April (except around spring break)
- August
Florida’s high season for tourism runs from mid-December through April, with spikes around the winter holidays and spring break. Prices are highest during these peak periods when demand is very high. The summer months of June through August are considered Florida’s low season, as the hot and humid weather deters some travelers. September until mid-December is a shoulder season, along with the period from mid-April through May, when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller.
Cheapest days of the week to fly
In addition to flying during shoulder seasons, you can save money by being flexible with your departure date and flying on cheaper days of the week. Based on historical flight data, the cheapest days to fly to Florida are typically:
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Saturday
Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive days to fly. Airfare starts to rise later in the week as business travelers book flights. Prices also jump up on weekends when leisure demand is high. Flying mid-week is your best bet for deals.
What times of day are cheapest?
In addition to flying on less popular days of the week, you can save money by choosing cheaper flight times. Based on historical data, the cheapest departure times for flying to Florida are usually:
- Early morning flights between 6 AM – 8 AM
- Red-eyes that depart between 10 PM – 1 AM
The most expensive flight times are typically midday between 10 AM – 2 PM. Flying early in the morning or late at night allows you to avoid the peak business and leisure travel times.
Average airfares by month
To visualize when airfares tend to be cheapest, here is a table showing the average price of round-trip flights to three major Florida airports by month:
Month | Fort Lauderdale | Miami | Orlando |
---|---|---|---|
January | $210 | $230 | $185 |
February | $240 | $250 | $210 |
March | $270 | $280 | $240 |
April | $230 | $250 | $200 |
May | $210 | $225 | $180 |
June | $190 | $200 | $170 |
July | $185 | $195 | $160 |
August | $175 | $180 | $150 |
September | $190 | $200 | $160 |
October | $210 | $225 | $180 |
November | $230 | $240 | $190 |
December | $270 | $290 | $240 |
As you can see, airfares drop substantially during the summer months of June through August. September, October, and April are also generally cheaper times to fly. Prices climb steadily in the high season winter months, peaking in December and March for spring break.
Tips for finding cheap flights
Here are some additional tips for getting the lowest fares on flights to Florida:
- Book early – airlines release flights 330 days in advance and prices are usually lowest when flights are first added to the schedule
- Compare prices across multiple sites – check airline sites, OTAs like Expedia, and metasearch engines like Google Flights
- Be flexible with airports – look at all airports serving your destination as fares can vary significantly
- Fly into a hub city – flights are more frequent and competition leads to better deals
- Leverage sales and coupons – sign up for airline email lists and check sites like RetailMeNot for promo codes
- Consider budget airlines – carriers like Spirit and Frontier offer very low base fares in exchange for minimal amenities
- Book connecting flights – direct flights are convenient butrequireing a stopover can save you hundreds
- Sign up for price alerts – use Google Flights or Hopper to track prices and get notifications when deals are found
Non-stop flight deals from major cities
To give you an idea of potential flight prices, here are some current deals on non-stop flights to Florida from major US cities:
Departure City | Destination | Airline | Price |
---|---|---|---|
New York City | Miami | American | $152 roundtrip |
Washington, D.C. | Tampa | United | $178 roundtrip |
Chicago | Orlando | Frontier | $168 roundtrip |
Denver | Fort Lauderdale | Spirit | $147 roundtrip |
Seattle | Miami | American | $338 roundtrip |
San Francisco | Orlando | Alaska | $388 roundtrip |
Conclusion
Finding cheap flights to Florida revolves around flexibility. Flying on less popular days of the week, during shoulder seasons, and at off-peak times can lead to major savings. Comparing fares across multiple sites and booking early are also key to scoring low airfare. With the right planning and search strategies, you can find great deals on flights to Florida and maximize your travel budget.