Finding cheap flights to Florida can seem like a daunting task with so many airports and flight options to choose from. The key is knowing which cities typically offer the best deals on airfare. In this article, we’ll break down the cheapest places to fly into in Florida for your next sunny vacation.
Factors That Impact Flight Prices to Florida
Several factors come into play when determining the cheapest places to fly into Florida:
- Airport size – Smaller regional airports generally have lower fees for airlines than major international airports, allowing for cheaper ticket prices.
- Number of carriers serving the airport – More competition between airlines usually drives down fares.
- Proximity to popular tourist destinations – Flying into a gateway city close to mass tourism spots comes with a premium.
- Seasonality – Winter and spring breaks attract high travel demand, increasing prices.
- Day of the week – Flying mid-week is often cheaper than departures on Fridays and Sundays.
Keeping these key factors in mind, let’s explore some of the cheapest airports to fly into in Florida for your trip.
Fort Lauderdale
With over 35 million passengers per year, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is one of the busiest airports in Florida. It serves the Miami metropolitan area along with Miami International Airport.
Benefits of flying into Fort Lauderdale include:
- Served by low-cost carriers like JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit
- Multiple competing airlines keep fares affordable
- Plenty of flights as a major airline hub
- Close proximity to cruise ports and beach destinations like Hollywood, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale
Average flight prices into Fort Lauderdale range from $100-$300 roundtrip depending on departure city and travel dates. Overall, it offers a good mix of price and convenience for Florida-bound travelers.
Orlando
As one of Florida’s tourism centers, Orlando International Airport (MCO) serves over 50 million passengers annually. It is a major hub for domestic and international travel.
Benefits of flying into Orlando include:
- Massive route network on carriers like Southwest, Frontier, and JetBlue
- Competitive pricing among low-cost carriers
- Nonstop flights available from most U.S. cities
- Proximity to theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios
Average flight prices into Orlando typically run $150-$350 roundtrip depending on origin. Off-peak fall and spring dates see significant discounts. Overall, Orlando is one of the cheapest and most convenient Florida flight options.
Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA) handles over 22 million passengers annually. The airport serves the Tampa Bay region along the Gulf Coast.
Reasons Tampa flights can offer low fares:
- Presence of Southwest, Frontier, Spirit and other discount airlines
- High competition keeps prices in check
- Abundant flights as a major airline hub
- Close to attractions like Busch Gardens, Clearwater Beach, and St. Petersburg
Average Tampa flight prices are $150-$300 roundtrip depending on dates and points of origin. Overall, Tampa combines affordability with easy access to Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) serves over 7 million passengers per year in northeast Florida. The airport offers low cost flights on carriers like Southwest, Frontier and Spirit.
Benefits of flying into Jacksonville include:
- Cheap base fares on budget airlines
- Less demand than other Florida airports
- Proximity to Jacksonville beaches and St. Augustine
- Nonstop flights available from eastern U.S. cities
Average flight prices into Jacksonville are $150-$250 roundtrip depending on dates and origin city. For cheap access to northeast Florida, Jacksonville is hard to beat.
Sanford (Orlando)
Located north of Orlando, Sanford International Airport (SFB) offers an alternative gateway to the Orlando region. It handles over 3 million passengers annually with major service from British budget airline Jet2.
Benefits of flying into Sanford include:
- Base fares often less than half of Orlando International
- Significant discounts from low-cost European carriers
- Convenient access to Orlando theme parks
- Much lower passenger volume than Orlando International
Average Sanford flight prices range from $200-$350 roundtrip depending on dates and origin. For Orlando access at a discount, Sanford is a smart choice.
Sarasota
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast south of Tampa Bay. It handles over 3 million passengers per year.
Reasons to consider Sarasota include:
- Lower cost flights on carriers like Frontier and Allegiant
- Proximity to Gulf Coast beaches like Siesta Key
- Cheaper alternative to Tampa
- Nonstop flights from dozens of cities across the U.S.
Average Sarasota flight prices range from $180-$300 roundtrip depending on dates and points of origin. Overall, Sarasota offers affordable access to Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches.
Destin / Fort Walton Beach
Located along the Florida Panhandle, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) provides low cost access to the Emerald Coast’s stunning white sand beaches. Major airlines include Allegiant, American, and Delta.
Benefits of flying into Destin/Fort Walton Beach include:
- Lower demand spreads out costs over fewer passengers
- Close proximity to beach destinations like Destin, Okaloosa Island, and Fort Walton Beach
- Cheaper alternative to bigger Northwest Florida airports
- Nonstop flights available from Midwest and Northeast cities
Average flight prices to Destin/Fort Walton Beach run $180-$300 roundtrip depending on origin. For affordable access to the Emerald Coast, it’s a great option.
Punta Gorda
Located between Tampa and Fort Myers, Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) offers a low-cost alternative with major service from Allegiant.
Benefits of Punta Gorda include:
- Very cheap base fares on Allegiant
- Convenient access to Fort Myers and Sarasota regions
- Proximity to beach towns like Venice and Port Charlotte
- Connecting flights available through larger hubs
Average flight prices into Punta Gorda are $150-$250 roundtrip depending on dates. For budget-conscious travelers, it’s one of Florida’s cheapest airport options.
Northwest Florida Regional Airport (Valparaiso)
Located northeast of Pensacola, Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) offers low cost flights to the western Panhandle region. Major airlines include Delta and American.
Reasons to consider Northwest Florida Regional include:
- Small airport leads to lower operating costs
- Proximity to Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin
- Much lower fares than Pensacola International
- Nonstop flights from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Charlotte
Average flight prices range from $180-$280 roundtrip into Northwest Florida Regional depending on travel dates. For cheap access to the Panhandle, it’s a great low-key option.
Conclusion
Finding cheap flights to Florida means being flexible on departure airports. While major gateways like Miami and Orlando offer abundant flights, smaller regional airports often provide the best fares.
Opting for alternative airports like Fort Lauderdale over Miami or Sanford over Orlando can lead to significant savings. Budget airlines also concentrate service in airports with lower fees, driving down costs.
To recap, some of the cheapest airports to fly into in Florida include:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Jacksonville
- Sanford
- Sarasota
- Destin / Fort Walton Beach
- Punta Gorda
- Northwest Florida Regional
While flight prices fluctuate, focusing your search on these airports will give you the highest chance of scoring a cheap fare to Florida. Just be sure to check multiple airlines when booking for the best deal. Happy travels!