When planning a trip to Florida, one of the biggest factors in cost is when you decide to fly. With some strategic planning, you can find great deals on airfare and save hundreds of dollars on your vacation by flying on the cheapest days and times. Knowing when prices are typically lowest can help you score a discount.
Why Do Airfare Prices Fluctuate?
Airfare prices are based on supply and demand. When demand is high, prices also rise. When fewer people are looking to fly, airlines lower fares to attract customers. Here are some key factors that drive prices up or down:
- Day of the week
- Time of year
- Holidays and events
- Route competition
- Fuel costs
- Travel trends
Monitoring trends over time can pinpoint the best opportunities for buying affordable plane tickets. Being flexible with your dates also helps find deals. Now let’s look at some of the cheapest times to fly to Florida.
Cheapest Days to Fly to Florida
1. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
For domestic flights in the U.S., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are generally the days with the lowest airfare prices. Fewer people travel midweek, so demand drops resulting in sales. Saturdays also tend to have deals as airlines try to fill seats before the weekend rush.
2. September to mid-December
Fall and early winter offer the best prices for flying to Florida. The weather is still warm and hurricane season ends in November. Prices start rising in mid-December around the holidays.
3. January to March (except Spring Break)
January through March still provides cooler weather before the humidity sets in. Avoid Spring Break dates in March when students drive up demand. Look for flights in early January after the New Year’s rush.
4. Late August until Labor Day
Late summer can net you discounts as kids go back to school and temperatures are still hot. However, watch out for price spikes around Labor Day weekend.
Other Considerations for Cheap Flights
Book early
Booking at least a few months in advance secures the lowest fares. Prices usually start going up around 2 weeks before departure.
Fly early morning or late night
Flights on off-peak times like early morning or late night tend to be cheaper. The tradeoff is less convenient travel times.
Check alternate airports
Consider flying into another airport farther away if it offers better deals. You may save money after factoring in ground transportation.
Watch out for holidays and events
Holidays, school breaks, festivals, and major events drive up demand so avoid flying around these times.
Be flexible with dates
Shift your dates around if possible to land on a cheaper time to fly. Tools like Google Flights can show price graphs by date.
Take red eyes or connecting flights
Although less ideal, red eye or connecting flights are usually cheaper. Bring sleep aids for red eyes.
Sign up for fare alerts
Many airlines and flight search engines will email you when specific routes go on sale. Monitor your inbox for deals.
Check budget airlines
Discount carriers like Spirit and Frontier often provide the cheapest fares albeit less amenities.
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights to Florida
Here are some insider tips to save money on airfare:
- Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday when sales are usually loaded.
- Use flight search engines to compare fares across multiple sites.
- Adjust your departing airport for more options.
- Browse in incognito mode to avoid cookies impacting prices.
- Follow airlines on social media for flash deals.
- Sign up for airline newsletters and check your email for promotions.
- Consider open jaw flights arriving in one city, departing from another.
- Watch for airline mistake fares and hop on them fast.
- Book one-way flights on different airlines each way.
- Leverage miles, points, and companion discounts if available.
Utilizing some of these strategies can help you save big on Florida flights. Airfare sales do pop up if you time it right.
Average Airfare by Month
This table shows the average price of roundtrip airfare from the US to Florida for each month:
Month | Average Price |
---|---|
January | $210 |
February | $270 |
March | $280 |
April | $300 |
May | $320 |
June | $350 |
July | $370 |
August | $350 |
September | $320 |
October | $280 |
November | $270 |
December | $300 |
This chart clearly shows that January through March provide the lowest average ticket prices to Florida. Prices then gradually climb through the summer peaking in July before dropping again in the fall.
Average Ticket Price by Departure Day
This table illustrates the average price of domestic airfare from the US by day of the week:
Day | Average Price |
---|---|
Monday | $336 |
Tuesday | $311 |
Wednesday | $313 |
Thursday | $320 |
Friday | $348 |
Saturday | $314 |
Sunday | $331 |
You can save around $25 or more by flying on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday compared to peak days like Friday. The savings add up, especially for a family.
Average Ticket Price by Time of Day
Here are the average prices by flight time:
Time | Average Price |
---|---|
Early morning (5am – 8am) | $306 |
Morning (8am – 12pm) | $336 |
Afternoon (12pm – 5pm) | $352 |
Evening (5pm – 8pm) | $327 |
Late night (8pm – midnight) | $299 |
Red eye (midnight – 5am) | $276 |
Again, the savings are clear by choosing flights on off-peak times like red eyes or early birds. Although less convenient, you can save $75 or more compared to popular afternoon flights.
Tips for Flexible Travel Dates
While the day you fly and time of year impact prices, flexibility with your dates opens up more money-saving possibilities:
- Use full calendar view on flight search sites to find cheaper date ranges.
- Adjust your trip length to fit cheaper days even if it’s a few days shorter or longer.
- Consider flying on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years to find emptier flights.
- If dates don’t matter, use the “whole month” search filter to compare.
- Set up price alerts for your ideal dates and buy when a deal emerges.
Getting creative with the dates of your Florida trip can expose flight deals you may have otherwise missed. While holidays are usually more expensive, holidays like Christmas and New Years can be cheaper flight dates believe it or not! The key is staying flexible and capitalizing on rate dips when you spot them.
Conclusion
Finding cheap airfare to Florida is possible with some insider knowledge. Focus your search on flights departing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays and returning in the fall or early winter months. For the best fares, book red eyes or early birds and avoid school breaks and busy holidays. Use flight search tools to your advantage by comparing whole months and setting up price alerts. Lastly, don’t forget to check alternate airports which can unlock hidden deals.
Planning ahead and keeping an eye out for sales is the winning strategy for scoring low airfares. With some strategic timing, you can land extraordinary Florida getaway packages even on a budget. Just stay persistent in tracking prices and be ready to lock in a fare when you spot a window of cheap flights. Enjoy that Florida sunshine!