Holiday travelers wearing face masks line to check in at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP
As the weather gets warmer and we inch closer to summer, you may be wondering where to take a break and visit a new destination.
But with everything getting more expensive, you may want to save on your summer holiday, so we’ve compiled the cheapest round-trip flights you can take out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
1. El Dorado, Arkansas: $81
When: Sat, Jul. 2 – Tue, Jul. 5
Flight Duration: 1h 50m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to South Arkansas Regional Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
If you’re a history buff, or just a fan of pretty buildings, you’ll love El Dorado. This charming town on the southern border of the state has a rich history as an oil “boom-town” of the 1920s. A resulting architectural boom is still reflected in the city’s restored downtown area, filled with beautifully renovated 1930s style buildings and many historic buildings on the National Register.
In the heart of El Dorado, located near the stately 1928 Union County Courthouse, you’ll find dozens of shops, stores, restaurants and nightlife options. Turn-of-the-century architecture and picturesque storefronts connect a mix of specialty shops that sell everything from antiques to art. Downtown is also home to Oil Heritage Park, which pays homage to the city’s history. The city is also home to the Murphy Arts District, a state-of-the art music, entertainment and restaurant complex. During the summer, you may be able to catch the popular “Showdown at Sunset” event.
The city is also home to cultural venues like the South Arkansas Arts Center, the South Arkansas Symphony and the Newton House Museum. Outdoor activities can be found at the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Moro Bay State Park, and the South Arkansas Arboretum State Park. The nearby town of Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, where visitors can learn more about the South Arkansas oil boom.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana: $86
When: Tue, Jun. 28 – Wed, Jun. 29
Flight Duration: 1h 30m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Located at the mouth of the Mississippi, New Orleans is the home of jazz and blues, Cajun cooking, and the spectacular colors and parades of Mardi Gras. If you love a good time, the “Big Easy” is the best destination for you.
Spend your nights on Bourbon or Frenchmen streets hopping from bar to bar, catching some of America’s most talented musicians. Head to Treme to watch blues bands at local clubs, or watch street performers in Jackson Square
You can feast on the gourmet seafood at the Acme Oyster House, or head to Willie Mae’s Scotch House for some authentic southern soul food.
3. Denver, Colorado: $116
When: Tue, Jun. 28 – Wed, Jun. 29
Flight Duration: 2h 7m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Denver International Airport
Airline: Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Denver is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and a transit point for skiers and hikers.
You can go to downtown Denver and dine on Mexican food at d’Corazon (1530 Blake St), window shop for art and crafts products, and sit on Larimer Square with an artisan croissant and coffee.
Join the sports crowds at Empower Field at Mile High or dive into the massive range of boutiques at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
You can always jump in a rental car and drive to some of the most beautiful spots in the country, like Alberta Falls, the Old Fall River Road, or the Trail Ridge Road.
4. Miami, Florida: $123
When: Tue, Jun. 21 – Wed, Jun. 22
Flight Duration: 3h 9m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Miami International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Miami is known as the “Magic City” because of its rapid growth, which was noticed by visitors who said that the city grew so much from one year to the next that it was like magic. Part of the magic is Miami’s role as a meeting point for different cultures.
Wherever you go, from the Art Deco condos of Miami Beach to the clubs of South Beach, Miami transports you to a world of glamour and decadence.
5. Pensacola, Florida: $133
When: Tue, May 31 – Thu, Jun. 2
Flight Duration: 1h 55m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Pensacola International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Pensacola is home to beautiful beaches, a bustling metropolitan community and rich cultural history.
Take a guided walking tour through Historic Pensacola Village to learn about the city’s story. Visit the downtown area with art galleries, restaurants and cultural venues. Pensacola’s beaches are also a must-see.
6. Harrison, Arkansas: $144
When: Thu, Jun. 23 – Thu, Jun. 30
Flight Duration: 2h 10m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Boone County Regional Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Harrison is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Small Towns in America” with scenic canyons, hills, and rivers. Harrison was previously named one of the best retirement towns.
Whether you’re visiting one of the town’s many attractions, biking or hiking among the majestic mountains of the Ozarks and Buffalo National River, or strolling through Harrison’s downtown historic district, you’ll find this small town offers a variety of things to do.
For outdoor lovers, canoeing, fishing and hiking amid the limestone bluffs and serene scenery on Buffalo National River are popular activities. Bear Creek Trout Farm, where everyone catches something, is fun for families. Waterfalls like Hemmed-in-Hollow, Twin Falls and Hide-Out Hollow are easily accessible.
The Harrison Historic Walking Tour includes downtown parks, the historic Lyric Theater, the 1909 Boone County Jail, and the 1929 Hotel Seville. The historic downtown also has restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, and other retail shops. The area is also home to the Boone County Heritage Museum.
7. Phoenix, Arizona: $160
When: Sun, Jul. 3 – Mon, Jul. 4
Flight Duration: 2h 37m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Airline: Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Phoenix is America’s desert capital and offers plenty for lovers of the great outdoors. If you want sunshine, love hiking in beautiful rock formations, and hate the rain, it’s the ideal place to book a break.
Pack a picnic in Papago Park, try out water parks like Oasis or Wet’n’Wild, or test your golf skills at courses in Scottsdale. There are great museums you could visit like the Heard Museum or the Phoenix Art Museum.
Try gourmet food at Different Pointe of View and street food like the burritos from Filiberto’s.
8. Memphis, Tennessee: $161
When: Fri, Jul. 8 – Sun, Jul. 10
Flight Duration: 3h 45m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to South Arkansas Regional Airport to Memphis International Airport
Airline: Southern / Mokulele
Buy tickets: kayak.com
There’s the intoxicating smell of barbecue cooking, the architecture of mansions like Graceland, and the sound of rhythm and blues on Beale Street all night long. If you love music, food, and history, Memphis is the place for you.
If you’re an Elvis Presley fan, make the pilgrimage to Graceland, the King’s mansion, where you can see where hits like Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel were recorded at Sun Studios.
9. Clovis, New Mexico: $164
When: Fri, Jul. 1 – Sun, Jul. 3
Flight Duration: 1h 22m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Clovis Regional Airport
Airline: Denver Air Connection
Buy tickets: kayak.com
Clovis is a family-friendly area rich in rock and roll history. It’s history is rooted in music, agriculture and community.
Clovis is known for events including rodeos, firework spectaculars, cultural art series performances, Cannon Air Force Base partnership events and the Clovis Music Festival.
10. San Diego, California: $192
When: Sat, Jun. 18 – Tue, Jun. 21
Flight Duration: 6h 45m
Where: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport to San Diego International Airport
Airline: Spirit Airlines, Frontier
Buy tickets: kayak.com
This Southern Californian city offers a unique blend of beach culture and modern urban life, making it a fantastic place to visit. If you love outdoor living, history, and dining out, San Diego is a great place to visit.
It’s almost always sunny in San Diego, and there are beaches like La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach that have surfing and safe swimming conditions for the whole family to enjoy.
In town, there’s San Diego Zoo, one of the best in the world, historical sights like the USS Midway and Balboa Park, a park that’s filled with museums and gardens. If you enjoy food and entertainment, the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego is the place to be.
Book your summer flight early
If you plan to travel this spring or summer, you may want to book as soon as possible.
As COVID numbers decline around the country, Americans will likely be traveling more this summer. So it’s best to book your flight now. The sooner you book, the better the price is going to be.
“Especially for spring and summer, anybody that’s wanting to make a travel plan, I would highly recommend they do so now just because the demand is still going to be there, even if there’s a reduced flight capacity,” says Andrea Ballard, a Sanders Travel Centre travel advisor.
The general rule: book a domestic flight one to three months in advance, and an international flight two to eight months in advance, according to Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Research the best, cheapest airfares
This step takes a little bit more patience. Set alerts for the route you want and sign up for newsletters so you can track cheap fares. Shop around online daily for the best deal on multiple websites.
Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air tend to have the cheapest fares, while American, Southwest and United are a little bit less predictable.
According to travel booking site Skyscanner, the lowest airfares are available earlier in the week, and the highest prices are offered later in the week. Flight prices tend to drop the most on Tuesday mornings.
These are some of the best websites and apps to find cheaper flights:
If you come across a cheaper flight after you book, you can still rebook since major airlines have dropped change fees on most tickets and you can receive credit for the fare difference.
Change your departure date
Adjusting your arrival and/or departure dates, when demand is lower, will also help.
Try to travel mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday), which is cheaper than the weekend. Take early-morning or late-night flights.
Avoid flying on Monday, Friday or Sunday. If you’re planning on traveling on a long weekend, try to take an extra day off work so that you can fly on a less busy day. For instance, instead of leaving on Friday, leave on Saturday. And instead of coming back Monday, make it Tuesday.
Earlier in the summer, right when the kids get off school in May or early June, is usually a better time to travel than late June or early July. People usually wait a couple of weeks into summer break for travel plans. If you plan to travel during a peak period, like in the middle of the summer, you’ll have to book further in advance.
This story was originally published May 27, 2022 5:47 PM.
Dalia Faheid is a reporter on the Star-Telegram’s service journalism team. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.