Not long ago, we shared our 2026 flight booking insights on Ovago. They included one simple rule that matters most for international economy travel:
Start tracking prices 4–5 months out. Aim to book 60–120 days before departure. Shorter lead times can work for flexible travelers, but this window gives you options without peak premiums.
Right now, that window lines up perfectly with spring travel. If you’ve been thinking about a March–May trip, this is the moment when planning actually saves money, not just stress.
Below, we’ve broken down where to fly this spring without overpaying, using real Ovago price ranges, seasonal weather context, and realistic daily budgets.
To make it easy, each destination is framed around three major US departure hubs: New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Cheap spring break trips await!
Before we start, a quick price note:
- All flight prices below are highly volatile and shown only as price-range orientation.
- They are accurate on Ovago as of January 13, 2026.
- Flight times listed reflect air time only, excluding layovers.
- All prices shown are per person unless stated otherwise.
Read in this article:
1. Italy, Salerno
- Fly into: Naples International Airport
- Salerno is easily reached by train or ferry.
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Mar $540 · Apr $440 · May $612
- Chicago: Mar $522 · Apr $500 · May $660
- Los Angeles: Mar $470 · Apr $510 · May $565
Flight time:
- NYC → Naples: ~8h 45m
- Chicago → Naples: ~9h 30m
- LA → Naples: ~12h
Daily costs (realistic ranges):
- Budget stay: ~$35/night
- Mid-range stay: ~$140/night
- Food, transport, activities: ~$70/day
Guesthouses are a quiet advantage here, often cheaper than hotels and usually family-run, with breakfast included.
Why this place shines in spring
Salerno sits quietly on Italy’s southern coast, just beyond the spotlight of the Amalfi towns that usually steal the attention. Unlike places built almost entirely around tourism, Salerno feels lived-in. It’s a real Italian city with a long seaside promenade, everyday cafés, and easy rail connections that make exploring Campania simple and affordable.
In spring, the air is mild, the hills turn green, and prices stay grounded, especially compared to nearby Positano or Amalfi. You still get coastal views, historic streets, and access to the Amalfi Coast: just without the crowds, inflated hotel rates, or constant sense of being rushed from one photo stop to the next.
March and April bring mild temperatures, green countryside, and fewer tourists. Prices tend to rise around Easter, but outside those dates, Italy can be up to 50% cheaper than summer.
2. Spain, Valencia
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Mar $490 · Apr $440 · May $620
- Chicago: Mar $515 · Apr $440 · May $620
- Los Angeles: Mar $445 · Apr $440 · May $650
Flight time:
- NYC → Valencia: ~8h
- Chicago → Valencia: ~9h
- LA → Valencia: ~12h
Daily costs:
- Budget week: ~$800–$1,150
- Mid-range week: ~$1,400–$2,000+
- Daily spend: ~$85–$175
Savings tips locals swear by:
- Menú del Día lunches
- Public transport over taxis
- Hostels or guesthouses booked early
Why this place shines in spring
Valencia delivers the Spain many travelers hope to find before crowds and prices take over. It has a historic core, a strong food culture, and direct access to the Mediterranean, yet it avoids the constant rush of Spain’s most talked-about cities like Barcelona.
In spring, Valencia feels open and relaxed. It’s warm enough for beach walks and cool enough for long days of sightseeing. Daily costs stay reasonable, public transport works well, and the city feels lived-in rather than built around tourism. It’s the kind of place where Spain feels natural, not overproduced. Here your budget stretches further without sacrificing the experience.
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3. Jamaica, Montego Bay
- Fly into: Sangster International Airport
Roundtrip flight prices for spring 2026 start from:
- New York: $340
- Chicago: $360
- Los Angeles: $400–$430
Flight time:
- NYC → Montego Bay: ~4h
- Chicago → Montego Bay: ~4h 30m
- LA → Montego Bay: ~6h
Daily costs:
- Budget: ~$56/day
- Mid-range: ~$140/day
- Low-season hotels: ~$175/night
Why this place shines in spring
Montego Bay is one of those places where spring quietly works in your favor. By March and April, the weather is already in its prime (warm, dry, and reliably sunny), while prices begin to ease compared to the winter rush. Flights stay competitive, resorts start offering better value, and the city feels relaxed.
Montego Bay is easy to navigate, well connected, and flexible for different budgets: you can lean into all-inclusive comfort or keep costs down with local food, short transfers, and simple beach days. In spring, it delivers exactly what many travelers want from the Caribbean without the peak-season price pressure.
Late April and May quietly slide into Jamaica’s low season. Same beaches, fewer crowds, better resort pricing. Among Caribbean destinations, Jamaica consistently lands in the top 25% for affordability.
4. Guatemala, Antigua
- Fly into: La Aurora International Airport
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Mar $280 · Apr $344 · May $280
- Chicago: Mar $300 · Apr $260 · May $260
- Los Angeles: Mar $300 · Apr $250 · May $270
Flight time:
- NYC → Guatemala City: ~5h
- Chicago → Guatemala City: ~4h 45m
- LA → Guatemala City: ~4h 30m
Daily costs (accommodation included):
- Budget: $35–$50/day
- Mid-range: $60–$90/day
Why this place shines in spring
Antigua feels especially well-timed in spring. March still carries the calm of the dry season, while April sits in a rare balance with warm days, clear views, and fewer travelers before the rains arrive. Antigua moves at a human pace: volcano views, cobblestone streets, low-rise colonial buildings, and cafés that invite you to slow down.
Costs stay refreshingly low, from private rooms to local meals, and getting around is simple. In spring, Antigua offers depth without pressure: a place where culture, scenery, and budget-friendly travel line up naturally.
5. Puerto Rico, San Juan
- Fly into: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Mar $210 · Apr $260 · May $240
- Chicago: Mar $180 · Apr $230 · May $186
- Los Angeles: $316–$326
Flight time:
- NYC → San Juan: ~4h
- Chicago → San Juan: ~4h 45m
- LA → San Juan: ~6h
Daily costs:
A typical visitor in Puerto Rico spends about $243 per day, covering lodging, food, local transport, and activities. For two people, a one-week trip averages around $3,400 all in. Travelers watching their budget can keep costs lower by choosing hostels, guesthouses, or simple hotels, with nightly rates starting at $50–$100.
Why this place shines in spring
San Juan is at its best in spring, when the weather stays warm and bright but the pace begins to slow after winter’s peak. Old San Juan feels especially inviting this time of year with its colorful streets, ocean breezes, and long evenings that stretch naturally into dinner.
Flights remain competitive, and while March and April draw crowds, May opens the door to better value without losing the atmosphere. Add in easy transportation, familiar comforts, and no passport requirements for US travelers, and San Juan becomes a low-friction spring escape.
Read also: How to Score Cheap Flights to Puerto Rico
6. Dominican Republic, Punta Cana
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Mar $330 · Apr $360 · May $300
- Chicago: Mar $215 · Apr–May $380
- Los Angeles: $400–$467
Flight time:
- NYC → Punta Cana: ~4h
- Chicago → Punta Cana: ~4h 30m
- LA → Punta Cana: ~6h
Daily costs (including accommodation):
- Budget: ~$63/day
- Mid-range: ~$160/day
Average hotel room prices range from $108 in low season to $202 in peak season.
Why this place shines in spring
Punta Cana fits spring travel especially well if you’re looking for warmth without overthinking the trip. March and April bring the best weather, while May quietly shifts into shoulder season, when prices begin to ease but conditions stay just as inviting.
The appeal here is simplicity: short transfers, long beaches, and a wide range of resorts that make budgeting predictable. Opt for an all-inclusive stay or a simpler hotel? Spring in Punta Cana delivers sun, calm, and solid value without the peak-season pressure that usually comes later in the year.
7. Mexico, Puerto Vallarta
- Fly into: Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: $400–$480
- Chicago: $300–$340
- Los Angeles: $290–$340
Flight time:
- NYC → Puerto Vallarta: ~5h 30m
- Chicago → Puerto Vallarta: ~4h
- LA → Puerto Vallarta: ~3h
Daily costs:
Mid-range daily spending here is around $100. Hostels typically cost $10–$20 per night, while private rooms range from $30–$90.
Why this place shines in spring
Puerto Vallarta feels especially well-balanced in spring. March and April bring dry, sunny days without the intensity of summer heat. May eases into shoulder season, when crowds thin and prices soften. The city works well for different travel styles: beaches are easy to reach, the Malecón keeps evenings lively without feeling overwhelming, and neighborhoods still feel local rather than resort-only.
Costs stay manageable (from affordable meals to flexible lodging options), making Puerto Vallarta a place where spring travel feels relaxed, warm, and good value.
8. Poland, Kraków
- Fly into: John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: $340–$376
- Chicago: $425–$455
- Los Angeles: $430–$455
Flight time:
- NYC → Kraków: ~9h
- Chicago → Kraków: ~9h 30m
- LA → Kraków: ~12h
Daily costs:
- Mid-range (accommodation included): ~$80/day
- Hostels: $13–$23/night
Why this place shines in spring
Kraków comes into its own in spring. March can still feel transitional, but by April and May the city softens. Parks turn green, café tables return to the streets, and the historic center feels easier to explore without summer crowds.
Prices stay far below Western Europe, from accommodation to dining. Getting around is straightforward and affordable. Kraków offers depth without pressure: layered history, walkable neighborhoods, and a pace that rewards lingering.
9. Ireland, Dublin
- Fly into: Dublin Airport
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: $355–$390
- Chicago: $370–$430
- Los Angeles: $485–$590
Flight time:
- NYC → Dublin: ~6h 30m
- Chicago → Dublin: ~7h
- LA → Dublin: ~10h 30m
Daily costs:
- Budget: hostels ~$333/week
- Mid-range: ~$80–$100/day (excluding car rentals)
Why this place shines in spring
Dublin feels most alive in spring, when longer days return and the city shakes off winter quietly but confidently. March brings the energy of St. Patrick’s Day with parades, packed pubs, and a rare chance to see Dublin at full volume. But it also comes with noticeably higher prices around March 17.
Travel a little earlier or wait until late April or May, and the mood changes: fewer crowds, softer rates, and the same walkable streets, historic neighborhoods, and coastal breezes. Spring in Dublin rewards timing. Catch the celebration if your budget allows, or aim for May, when the city feels greener, calmer, and easier on your wallet.
10. Lithuania, Kaunas
- Fly into: Kaunas Airport
Roundtrip flight prices start from:
- New York: Apr $590 · May $700
- Chicago: Apr $676 · May $710
- Los Angeles: Mar $680 · Apr $485 · May $710
Flight time:
- NYC → Kaunas: ~9h
- Chicago → Kaunas: ~10h
- LA → Kaunas: ~12h
Daily costs:
- Average spend: ~$132/day
- Hotels: $58 (low season) to $108 (peak season)
- Hostels: ~$17/night
Why it’s still on this list
While flights to Lithuania aren’t always the absolute cheapest from the US, Kaunas stands out for exceptionally low daily travel costs. It makes this charming destination one of the best-value European destinations overall in spring. Once you land, your budget stretches further than almost anywhere else in Europe.
A very budget-focused traveler in Lithuania can get by on $35–$50 a day. That usually means staying in low-cost hostels, cooking some meals, relying on public transport, and taking advantage of dienos pietūs (local lunch specials) for $6–$12.
Kaunas works especially well for this style of travel: parks, river paths, and historic areas are free, and museums often offer free entry on the last Sunday of the month. Using ride-share apps like Bolt instead of taxis helps cut transport costs, while grocery stores make self-catering easy. For longer trips, overnight buses between cities can even replace a hotel night and stretch the budget further.
Why this place shines in spring
Kaunas is especially distinctive in April and May because spring reshapes how the city is experienced. The Nemunas and Neris riverbanks fill with cyclists and long, unhurried walks. Kaunas’ compact Old Town becomes easy to explore without navigating crowds. Magnolia and cherry blossoms appear in courtyards and parks, softening the city’s modernist architecture.
Outdoor cafés reopen not as tourist set pieces but as everyday meeting spots. Museums, galleries, and neighborhoods feel accessible, offering a calm, lived-in version of Europe that’s rare by early summer.
Cheap spring travel isn’t about chasing the lowest fare alone. It’s about flight timing, seasonal behavior, and what you spend once you arrive. If you plan smart, spring gives you fewer crowds, softer prices, and destinations that feel more real than rushed. And if you’re booking now? You’re right on time.
