Flight Cost Calculator: Find Cheapest Cities to Fly Into
Find the most affordable city to fly into from your location, plus total costs including baggage fees and transport.
Planning a trip but tight on cash? The cheapest city to fly into isn’t just about the ticket price-it’s about how far your money goes once you land. In 2026, some destinations still offer rock-bottom airfares because airlines compete fiercely, local economies are affordable, and tourism infrastructure is built for value, not luxury. You don’t need to fly to a hidden island or a forgotten town to save. Some of the world’s most popular cities are also the cheapest to land in-if you know where to look.
Top 5 Cheapest Cities to Fly Into in 2026
Based on flight data from Skyscanner, Google Flights, and airline route reports from January 2026, these five cities consistently show the lowest average round-trip fares from major hubs in North America, Europe, and Australia.
- Warsaw, Poland - Average round-trip fare from London: $120. From New York: $410. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air operate daily flights here. Hostels cost under $20 a night, and a full meal at a local restaurant runs $8.
- Bucharest, Romania - Round-trip from Paris: $95. From Toronto: $430. Romania’s capital has seen a boom in budget flights since 2024. Public transport is cheap, and street food like mici (grilled sausages) costs less than $2.
- Lisbon, Portugal - Round-trip from Madrid: $65. From Atlanta: $380. Once considered expensive, Lisbon’s prices dropped after a surge in competition among airlines. A metro ticket is $1.70, and a pastel de nata is $1.20.
- Bangkok, Thailand - Round-trip from Singapore: $80. From Los Angeles: $450. Thai Airways, AirAsia, and Nok Air flood this route. A night in a guesthouse near Khao San Road starts at $15. Street noodles? $1.50.
- Tbilisi, Georgia - Round-trip from Istanbul: $55. From Chicago: $490. Georgia’s open visa policy and low taxes on airlines make this a hotspot. A taxi ride across town is $2. A bottle of local wine? $4.
These cities aren’t just cheap because they’re poor-they’re cheap because they’ve optimized for tourists who want to spend less on flying and more on experiences. You can eat like a local, ride public transit, and still have cash left for day trips.
Why These Cities Are So Cheap to Fly Into
Airlines don’t fly to these places out of charity. They fly because they can make money at low prices. Here’s why:
- Low airport fees - Many of these cities have government-supported airports that charge airlines minimal landing fees. That savings gets passed to you.
- High competition - In Warsaw, five airlines fly the London route. In Bucharest, you can choose between low-cost carriers and full-service airlines-all undercutting each other.
- Off-peak demand - These destinations aren’t crowded in winter. Fewer tourists mean airlines drop prices to fill seats.
- Government incentives - Georgia and Romania offer tax breaks to airlines that open new routes. That’s why you see flights from cities like Cincinnati or Belfast to Tbilisi now.
It’s not magic. It’s economics. And if you’re smart, you can use it to your advantage.
When to Book for the Best Deals
Timing matters more than you think. A flight to Warsaw in March might cost $180 if you book two weeks before. But if you book six months ahead? $110. Here’s the pattern for 2026:
- For Europe (Warsaw, Bucharest, Lisbon): Book 4-6 months ahead for the lowest fares. Prices spike in July and August.
- For Southeast Asia (Bangkok): Best deals come in January-March and September-November. Avoid Thai New Year (mid-April) and peak school holidays.
- For Georgia (Tbilisi): Prices are stable year-round, but the cheapest tickets appear in late November and early February.
Use Google Flights’ price graph. Set alerts for your home airport to these five cities. You’ll often see drops of $100+ after a weather delay or a route change. Airlines reset prices every Tuesday morning-check then.
Hidden Costs That Can Kill Your Budget
Just because the ticket is cheap doesn’t mean the whole trip is. Watch out for these traps:
- Baggage fees - Ryanair and Wizz Air charge $35 just to check a bag. Pack light or pay more.
- Airport transfers - In Lisbon, the metro runs to the city center. In Bucharest, you need a taxi. A $10 ride adds up if you’re on a tight budget.
- Exchange rates - The Romanian leu and Georgian lari are weak, but that’s good for you. Still, avoid exchanging cash at the airport. Use ATMs instead.
- Tourist taxes - Lisbon charges a €1.50 per-night tourist tax. Warsaw charges nothing. Always check local fees before booking accommodation.
These aren’t deal-breakers. They’re just things to plan for. A $120 flight to Warsaw becomes $170 when you add a checked bag and a taxi. Still cheaper than a $400 flight to Paris with no baggage included.
What to Do Once You Land
Don’t waste your savings on overpriced tours or tourist traps. Here’s how to stretch your budget further:
- Eat where locals eat - Skip the restaurants near the square. Walk two blocks. Look for places with no English menu. The food is better and 70% cheaper.
- Use public transit - Tbilisi’s metro is clean, safe, and costs 50 cents. Warsaw has a 24-hour pass for $3.50. You don’t need Uber.
- Visit free attractions - Bucharest’s Village Museum is free. Lisbon’s Alfama district is a walkable maze with no entrance fee. Tbilisi’s Old Town is all streets and views-no ticket needed.
- Stay in hostels or guesthouses - Most offer free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and even walking tours. You’ll meet other travelers and get local tips.
You don’t need to spend a lot to have a great trip. In fact, the best memories often come from the cheapest moments: a street vendor’s smile, a train ride through the Carpathians, or a warm bowl of soup in a 100-year-old café.
Alternatives to Consider
These five cities are the top picks, but others are catching up:
- Kyiv, Ukraine - Flights from Berlin are under $100. Safety has improved, and tourism is rebounding. Worth watching.
- Valencia, Spain - Slightly more expensive than Lisbon, but still under $350 from New York. Great food, fewer crowds.
- Manila, Philippines - Round-trip from Sydney: $180. Great for beach lovers and foodies. Just watch for weather delays.
These aren’t yet in the top five, but they’re close. If you’re flexible on dates, they’re worth checking.
Final Tip: Fly Smart, Not Just Cheap
The cheapest flight isn’t always the best deal. A $90 ticket that lands you at an airport 80 kilometers from the city center, with no bus and no Wi-Fi, isn’t a bargain. You’ll spend hours and extra cash getting to your hotel.
Look for flights into major airports with good transit links. Warsaw Chopin, Lisbon Portela, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi all have direct metro or train lines. Bucharest Henri Coandă? A bit farther, but taxis are reliable and cheap.
Use tools like Rome2Rio to check how to get from the airport to your hotel before booking. Sometimes, a $20 more expensive flight is actually $50 cheaper when you factor in transport.
Travel isn’t about how little you spend. It’s about how much you get for what you spend. And right now, the best value isn’t in luxury resorts or first-class seats. It’s in the quiet corners of Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, where the world still feels affordable.
What’s the cheapest city to fly into from the United States?
Tbilisi, Georgia, often has the lowest fares from U.S. hubs like New York or Chicago, averaging around $490 round-trip. Warsaw and Bucharest are close behind at $410-$430. These prices are for midweek, off-season flights booked 4-6 months ahead. Avoid flying during holidays or peak summer months-prices can double.
Is it cheaper to fly into a smaller airport near a big city?
Sometimes, but not always. For example, flying into Vienna instead of Prague might save $50, but then you pay $30 for a train ride and 90 minutes of travel time. The total cost and time often cancel out the savings. It’s better to fly directly into the city’s main airport if it’s served by budget airlines. Check total travel time and transport costs before deciding.
Are budget airlines safe?
Yes. Airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and AirAsia are regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or equivalent bodies. They have the same safety standards as major carriers. Their low prices come from fewer frills-not lower safety. They don’t offer free meals or checked bags, but they’ve flown over 100 million passengers safely in the last five years.
Can I find cheap flights if I’m traveling with kids?
Yes, but you’ll need to plan differently. Most budget airlines charge full price for children over 2. Instead, look for family-friendly carriers like Ryanair or Wizz Air that offer discounted fares for kids during off-peak times. Book seats together early. Choose destinations with free child attractions-like parks, museums with free entry, or beaches. Avoid cities with high tourist taxes per person.
How do I know if a flight deal is real?
Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to track prices over time. If the price drops below the 6-month average, it’s likely a real deal. Also, check airline websites directly-sometimes third-party sites add hidden fees. If a deal seems too good to be true (like $50 flights to Tokyo), it’s probably a mistake or a scam. Stick to well-known airlines and official booking channels.
Next time you plan a trip, skip the tourist brochures and check flight prices first. The cheapest city to fly into might be the one you never thought to consider-and it could be the most rewarding.
