National Cheap Flight Day: the Fake Holiday You Don't Want to Miss

Data also show that this year’s National Cheap Flight Day could be even more significant than last years, with CheapOAir sharing that domestic flight rates are down an average of 30 percent from the same time last year. International fares aren’t quite as cheap, but are still 10 percent lower than in 2023.

It’s important to note that National Cheap Flight Day is the start of lower prices for future flights, not the date on which you need to fly. It’s the day when you should start seeing significant price drops on fall flights. Expect the costs to slowly start creeping back up when demand increases for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. So while it’s probably okay to wait a few days past August 23 to book, and you may find some deals a few weeks later, too, the longer you wait, the more expensive you can expect prices to rise.

Of course, that’s a general rule, and a plethora of recently announced airline expansions has led to quite a few good deals on new routes and airports. Allegiant Airlines announced nine new routes to cities like Miami and Sarasota, FL, with promotional rates as low as $39 each way. American Airlines announced new routes between Miami and New York beginning in November (plus more flights to the Caribbean starting in December), and 14 new flight routes from Frontier to cities like San Diego, Boston, and Los Angeles are likely to bring a host of new lower fares for flyers who don’t mind the budget airline experience.

Wondering where to go? According to Google’s destination insights for the period from Memorial Day to mid-August, these are the five most popular cities for domestic US travel this summer.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas in the fall offers a welcome respite from the summer heat, making it an ideal time to explore the city. Outdoor enthusiasts can head out on scenic hikes through Red Rock Canyon, where the cooler temperatures are perfect for enjoying the stunning desert landscape. It’s also the best time of year for outdoor rock climbing in the same area, and Vegas is only two hours from gorgeous Zion National Park. In the city, world-class golf courses beckon with lush fairways and temperatures that mean you don’t need to tee off at 5 AM.

Of course, Las Vegas has plenty of year-round indoor entertainment, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s peak summer or the middle of January to check out offerings like the live entertainment at the Freemont Street Experience, the town’s Michelin-starred restaurants, or the plethora of impressive casinos, unique museums, and stage shows on the strip all year.

Read more about Las Vegas:

• 15 Airbnbs in Las Vegas With a Pool for a Perfect Getaway
• The Finest Hotels in Downtown Las Vegas for Every Type of Traveler
• How to Make the Most of Your Visit to the Las Vegas Mob Museum
• The Perfect Las Vegas Airbnbs for an Unforgettable Bachelorette Party
• The Coolest Cannabis-Friendly Airbnbs in Las Vegas
• The 11 Best Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides in Las Vegas

New York, NY

There’s never a time when New York City is quiet, but if you’re going to deal with crowds anyway, you might as well deal with them during the prettiest time of the year: fall. And with three airports to choose from, you should have good luck finding a cheap flight to the area on National Cheap Flight Day.

New York City is always a tapestry of cultural and sensory experiences, but in autumn, it comes alive with color, too. Beyond iconic Central Park, fall brings great temperatures for strolling along the High Line, an elevated 1.5-mile greenway and park in Chelsea. As temperatures cool, it’s fun to cozy up in a historic theater for a Broadway show, wander through Greenwich Village’s charming streets, or hit an outdoor NYC festival like Brooklyn Flea or the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park. You can even add on a longer leaf-peeping trip to upstate New York, if you have more than a long weekend to travel.

Read more about NYC:

• These Manhattan Airbnbs Showcase the Best of New York City
• The Best Airbnbs Near the Empire State Building
• Toddler in Tow? Where to Go for a Family-Friendly NYC Vacation.
• This Soho Hotel Has One of the Best Pool Decks in New York City
• Japan’s Famous “Robot Hotels” Are Coming to New York
• Remembering Stonewall: 50+ Years of LGBTQ+ Pride in New York City

Chicago, IL

Google thinks Chicago is the third-most popular destination this summer, and it wouldn’t be surprising, considering the city’s ever-popular architecture boat tours, outdoor music venues, and downright massive museums. If you’re into dinosaurs, don’t miss seeing Sue at the Field Museum.

As the city sheds its summer skin, visitors can explore the Lincoln Park Zoo without the summer crowds, or spend overcast days inside at the impressive Art Institute. For a taste of the outdoors, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s fall foliage is a breathtaking spectacle, and many Michelin restaurants in the city go all-in on seasonal flavors, especially considering how close Chicago is to many agricultural regions of the US. And regardless of your nightlife preference, whether it’s an intimate jazz club or a bustling brewery, you’ll find them far more pleasant in October and November when the city isn’t packed with tourists.

Read more about Chicago:

• The 15 Coolest Airbnbs in Chicago
• How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry
• Exhale and Relax at These Cannabis-Friendly Airbnbs in Chicago
• Chicago’s Soaring New Attraction Takes You Flying Over the Windy City
• The 10 Best Places to Watch Chicago’s Spectacular Sunsets
• 10 Outstanding Chicago Hotels Within Walking Distance to Must-See Sights

San Diego, CA

San Diego’s fall offers a unique blend of mild weather and abundant outdoor activities. While it’s still warm enough in early fall for beach days, it’s also prime weather for exploring  Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for hiking along coastal bluffs, or slowly strolling through the sprawling expense of Balboa Park’s many museums, gardens, and outdoor shopping and restaurants. The Del Mar Racetrack hosts a full schedule of both horse racing and social events and festivals, and foodies will find plenty of fresh seasonal seafood dishes at oceanfront restaurants in neighborhoods like Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach. If you can, book a flight on National Cheap Flight Day for October, as the Halloween parties around the Gaslamp Quarter are some of the best in California.

For a taste of the region’s history, make a visit to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. And if you’re there in October, consider taking a Halloween-themed walking tour of one of the city’s spookier sights, like the Whaley House or historical Balboa Theater.

Read more about San Diego:

• Where to Eat, Play, and Sightsee in San Diego, California
• These Beautiful San Diego Airbnbs Put You Close to the Beach and Downtown
• 8 of the Prettiest Airbnbs in Downtown San Diego, California
• The Top San Diego Hotels Near Downtown and the Beach
• 7 Places to Safely See Wild Seals and Sea Lions in San Diego
• What to Do and Where to Eat in Little Italy, San Diego

Orlando, FL

Ah, Orlando. It may be a town synonymous with family-friendly vacations, but depending on your travel style, you may like it even more when many of its youngest visitors are back in school. Aside from the obvious appeal of visiting theme parks when lines are shorter and restaurants and shows have fewer crying kids, fall is also a great time to check out some of the non-theme park offerings near Orlando. That includes top-rated restaurants, a world-famous mermaid show, or visiting the home of literary legend Jack London. It’s also a lovely time to book a staycation at a higher-end hotel, as prices usually a drop a bit in the fall.

Read more about Orlando:

• 21 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando
• There’s a Train in Florida That Will Get You From the Beach to Disney in Only Three Hours
• Top Orlando Airbnbs With a Pool for the Ultimate Florida Getaway
• 10 Great Hotels on International Drive in Orlando Near Theme Parks
• The 20 Best Airbnbs Near Universal Studios Orlando
• 7 Outdoor Things to Do in Orlando Besides Theme Parks