I often get asked how I can afford to travel as often as I do and the biggest answer is that I don't travel in the US as much. I searched flights from three core US cities any week during the next six months to destinations with the lowest prices and this is what I found to give you examples of how affordable it can be to travel outside the US. As we all know by now, airline flight prices fluctuate so these are subject to change and used for example purposes. They were found during the date and time this was written.
Solutions to common concerns:
Often our worries or concerns can keep us suspicious creating a barrier to finding possibilities. It's a defense instinct that helped us stay safe back when threats were very physically present and could be deadly. Today these instincts inhibit us from taking risks that could actually improve our well being. So I'm listing out concerns I hear about and solutions to them.
- Jet lag or long flights: Look for locations in Canada, Mexico, or South America to at least stay in a similar time zone.
- Safety: See my article on 30 countries that are safer than the US based on crime index data. Often times the media sensationalizes information making it appear as if these foreign destinations are less safe than our home and that may not be the case. It's worth doing the research beyond media outlets to find out if the perception is backed by data.
- Cost: The entire point of this article is to showcase how the perception that further away means more expensive isn't always the case. In fact, the US has one of the highest costs of living in the world and the daily expenses of a vacation domestically may far outweigh another destination. Don't get stuck on a particular location and instead stay flexible basing your decision on the location with the lowest cost at the time you're looking.
- Time bound: If you have very specific dates you can take off due to school breaks or work vacation time, then book out your trip as far ahead as possible. If you have to take the Fourth of July off each year, go ahead and book out your trip as far ahead as you can and look internationally instead of domestically. That date only means something domestically.
From Washington DC to Portland, Oregon: $377
San Jose, Costa Rica: $215- Consumer prices 35% lower than DC
- Lower crime index
- Consumer prices 44% lower than DC
- Higher crime index
- Mexico City travel planner
- Consumer prices 7% higher than DC
- Lower crime index
- Consumer prices 16% lower than DC
- Lower crime index
- Consumer prices 12% lower than DC
- Lower crime index
- Dublin travel planner
- Consumer prices 13% lower than DC
- Higher crime index
- Paris travel planner
From New York, NY to Oklahoma City, OK: $294
Toronto, Canada: $148- Consumer prices 29% lower than NYC
- Lower crime index
- Consumer prices 36% lower than NYC
- Lower crime index
- Consumer prices 70% lower than NYC
- Unlisted crime index
- Consumer prices 28% lower than NYC
- Unlisted crime index
- Nassau travel planner
- Consumer prices 25% lower than NYC
- Higher crime index
- Dublin travel planner
From Los Angeles, CA to Telluride, CO: $734
Vancouver, Canada: $158- Consumer price is 16% lower than LA
- Lower crime index
- Consumer price is 58% lower than LA
- Higher crime index
- Lima travel planner
- Consumer price is 57% lower than
- Unlisted crime index
- Consumer price 3% lower than LA
- Higher crime index
- London travel planner
- Consumer price 5% lower than LA
- Lower crime index
- Copenhagen travel planner
- Consumer price 16% lower than LA
- Lower crime index
- Tel Aviv travel planner
- Consumer price 35% lower than LA
- Lower crime index
It's important to note that flight prices can vary greatly depending on the time of year, booking time, and current market conditions. Always compare prices, consider flexible travel dates, and utilize fare comparison tools to find the best deals for your specific travel plans.
Related:
Hacking the European Riviera: have an affordable and luxurious vacation
