Orlando’s theme parks, Miami’s Art Deco South Beach, and the wildlife of Everglades National Park are Florida’s must-visits. First-timers should catch a sunrise in Key West, wander the historic streets of St. Augustine, and grab Cuban food in Tampa’s Ybor City.
Cheapest Time to Fly to Florida: Your Guide to Sunshine Savings
The cheapest time to fly to Florida is usually during late August through early November, when airlines like Southwest, JetBlue, and Frontier run sales and demand dips after the summer crowds leave. If you’re hunting for cheap flights to Florida, September and October tend to offer the lowest fares, sometimes dipping under $80 one-way from cities like Atlanta or Dallas. Prices climb again for winter holidays, spring break, and summer, so flying in the off-peak months is the real trick for scoring Florida flight deals. For the latest deals and to compare airlines, search flights on Travorio, I’ve seen roundtrips under $120 from Chicago in shoulder season.
When are flights to Florida cheapest? According to Google Flights and Skyscanner data from the past three years, midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in September and early October almost always come out cheapest. The best month to fly to Florida for budget travelers is September, when hurricane season keeps crowds low but most attractions and beaches remain open. If you’re flexible, you’ll save hundreds by shifting your trip just a few weeks off-peak, and the weather is still warm enough for beach days, with high temps around 86°F (30°C) in Miami and Orlando.
Top Cities and Destinations in Florida
Orlando isn’t just theme parks, but let’s be real: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are the main draws. If you haven’t ridden the VelociCoaster or tried Epcot’s international food stalls, you’re missing out. Families flock here year-round, but I found September lines shortest and hotel rates down, sometimes $89/night at Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista. Outside the parks, downtown’s Lake Eola has swan boats and indie coffee at Craft & Common.
Miami’s South Beach lives up to the hype with pastel Art Deco buildings, white sand, and Cuban coffee at Las Olas Café on 6th Street. Wynwood Walls offers some of the best street art in the country, and late-night parties go down in Brickell’s rooftop bars. Miami International Airport (MIA) sees direct flights from over 120 US cities, and deals from New York can dip below $100 one-way in September.
Tampa surprises most first-timers. Ybor City’s historic Cuban sandwich shops like La Segunda Bakery are legendary, and the Riverwalk stretches 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River, with views of the Tampa Museum of Art. Southwest and Spirit both run frequent sales into Tampa International (TPA), making it one of the easier spots to snag Florida flight deals.
Key West feels like a world apart. The Overseas Highway drive is bucket-list material, with views that made me stop half a dozen times for photos. Hemingway House, Mallory Square sunsets, and conch fritters at Blue Heaven are worth every mile. Flights into Key West (EYW) tend to be pricier, but if you book 2-3 months in advance for September or October, Frontier sometimes lists $99 one-ways from Atlanta or Charlotte.
St. Augustine claims to be the oldest city in the US, and you’ll see the Spanish influence everywhere. Castillo de San Marcos is a 17th-century fortress right by the water. Ghost tours and local shops line St. George Street. Jacksonville (JAX) is the nearest major airport, about 50 minutes away by car, with Allegiant and JetBlue serving good deals. St. Augustine’s beaches are less crowded than Miami or Clearwater, and I found Airbnbs for $67/night in the historic district.
Hidden Gems in Florida
Most tourists miss Cedar Key, a tiny Gulf Coast island about 60 miles southwest of Gainesville. The town has a laid-back Old Florida vibe, with fresh clams at Tony’s Seafood and sunsets from Dock Street. There’s kayaking, birdwatching, and a quirky artists’ colony feel. You’ll need a rental car, since Gainesville Regional (GNV) is the closest airport, and flights here can be as low as $110 one-way from Atlanta in fall.
Apalachicola sits on the so-called ‘Forgotten Coast’ and is famous for oysters, Half Shell Dockside serves the freshest I’ve had. The town has preserved its 1800s charm, and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is great for hiking and wildlife. There’s no big airport nearby, so most people fly into Tallahassee (TLH) and drive two hours. Shoulder season (October-November) sees the calmest crowds and room rates under $90 at Gibson Inn.
Devil’s Den Spring is a prehistoric underground spring near Williston, about 30 minutes south of Gainesville. The water stays a constant 72°F (22°C) year-round, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear cave is something I still talk about. Admission is $18 during the week, and you can rent gear on-site. Most people drive from Gainesville or Ocala, so budget around $30 in Uber/Lyft each way if you’re not renting a car.
If you’re into small towns, Mount Dora in Central Florida is worth a detour. Antique shops, the Modernism Museum, and the CatBoat Adventure Tours on Lake Dora are local favorites. Orlando (MCO) is an hour away by car, and I found hotels like Lakeside Inn for $105/night even during peak season. Their annual Arts Festival in February is a big draw, but fall is quieter and easier on the wallet.
Best Time to Visit Florida
Florida’s weather and prices swing wildly by month, so picking the right time can save you hundreds. January to March is peak season, especially in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys. Snowbirds from the Northeast fill up hotels, and flights from New York or Boston to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) can top $300 roundtrip. Expect 74°F (23°C) highs in Miami and clear skies, but you’ll pay for it.
April and May count as shoulder season in most of Florida. Crowds thin, but the weather is still mild, Orlando averages 85°F (29°C) by May, and Key West is sunny but less humid. Hotels drop rates (I saw $79/night at Aloft Orlando Downtown in April), and airlines like Spirit and Frontier run promo codes. June to August is full-blown summer: families descend on the theme parks, and Miami Beach is packed. It’s hot (up to 92°F/33°C in Orlando) and wet, but you’ll find midweek flights for under $110 from Dallas or Chicago if you book ahead.
The best month to fly to Florida for the lowest airfare is September. That’s when hurricane season keeps crowds away, so airlines slash prices. I once booked a roundtrip from Houston to Tampa for $97 in late September. October and early November stay quiet, and the weather is still beach-ready: 85°F (29°C) highs in Miami, 81°F (27°C) in Tampa. Thanksgiving week sees a spike, so avoid late November if you want deals.
December brings the holiday rush, with rates climbing again. The trick is flying the second or third week of December, before Christmas and New Year’s. You’ll find flights from Philly to Orlando for around $130 and plenty of hotel options under $100/night. Most locals say late October to mid-November and late April to early May are the sweet spots for deals and weather.
How to Get Around Florida
Florida’s cities are spread out, so your transportation choices will shape your trip. Flights between major hubs, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, are frequent. Silver Airways, Southwest, and JetBlue fly nonstop routes like Orlando to Fort Lauderdale (50 minutes) for $49 each way if you book early. For the Keys, American Airlines has direct flights from Miami to Key West, but prices jump close to $200 one-way in peak season.
Amtrak’s Silver Service lines connect cities from Jacksonville down to Miami, with stops in Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. A coach seat from Orlando to Miami runs $39 and takes about 5 hours. Brightline is Florida’s high-speed rail, zipping from Miami to Orlando in just over 3 hours, with free WiFi and comfortable seats, fares start at $79 one-way, though you’ll sometimes spot $59 promo deals.
Buses are the best bet for budget travelers. Greyhound, FlixBus, and RedCoach all operate statewide. Miami to Orlando runs about $32 one-way on FlixBus, and Tampa to Gainesville is around $25. Megabus covers longer hauls like Orlando to Tallahassee, with fares from $18 if you book ahead. Just be ready for unpredictable schedules.
Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially for small towns and parks. Major agencies like Hertz, Alamo, and Sixt operate out of every airport, and I’ve rented compact cars in Miami for as low as $28/day (book in advance for the best rates). Ferries are rare, but Key West Express runs from Fort Myers Beach to Key West for $155 roundtrip, taking about 3.5 hours each way. Uber and Lyft work in most cities, but surge pricing during big events can get expensive fast.
How to Book Your Florida Trip
The easiest way to compare cheap flights to Florida is using Travorio’s flight search. You can filter for specific airlines, airports, and flexible dates, super helpful if you’re chasing Florida flight deals in the off-season. I’ve booked September flights from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale for $118 roundtrip, and Travorio’s fare calendar made it easy to see which weeks were cheapest.
If you don’t want to pay the full cost up front, take advantage of Travorio’s Pay Later options. Sezzle lets you split the cost of flights or hotels into four payments, interest-free, for US and Canadian customers. I booked a three-night stay at the Balfour Hotel Miami and paid $47 upfront, with the rest spread over six weeks. PayPal Pay Later is also accepted for flights and hotel bookings.
Crypto travelers can pay with over 100 cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to Solana and Dogecoin. I used USDC to book a room at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale via Travorio, and the process was as smooth as any card payment. Transactions are instant, and you get confirmation right away.
For hotels, Travorio’s Pay Later Hotels feature lets you reserve rooms at places like Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando or Miami’s Freehand Hostel with zero interest. Always read cancellation policies, most properties let you cancel for free up to 72 hours before arrival, but some deals are nonrefundable. The best deals pop up 2-3 months out, but last-minute rates can dip below $75 in September and October. If you’re flexible, sign up for Travorio’s price alerts on both flights and hotels.
Top Destinations
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Orlando is the most popular pick for first-timers, thanks to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and easy access to other attractions like Kennedy Space Center. You can find direct flights into Orlando International (MCO) from over 50 US cities, and downtown Orlando has great nightlife and food too.
For a classic Orlando-Miami combo, plan on 7 days: 3-4 for theme parks and 3 for Miami’s beaches and nightlife. If you want to include the Keys or Tampa, 10-12 days is better. Short trips (3-4 days) work for Miami or Key West alone, but you’ll want a car if you’re hopping between cities.
The cheapest time to fly to Florida is usually September through early November, when demand drops and airlines run sales. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are almost always cheaper, with roundtrip fares from Chicago or Dallas often under $120. Avoid holidays and school breaks for the lowest prices.
US and Canadian citizens don’t need a visa to visit Florida. Most European visitors can enter with ESTA (the US Visa Waiver Program), which costs $21 and is good for up to 90 days. Check your country’s requirements before booking, as rules change often.
Florida is generally safe, with tourist areas like Orlando, Miami Beach, and the Keys having lots of police presence. Petty theft can happen in crowded spots, so watch your belongings in places like South Beach or theme parks. Hurricanes are a risk from June to November, so buy travel insurance and monitor weather updates.
English is the main language, but Spanish is widely spoken, especially in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Most hotels, restaurants, and attractions have bilingual staff. In smaller towns, English will get you by everywhere.
Budget around $120-$180 per person per day for midrange travel. That covers a $70 hotel, $25-$40 for meals, $15 for local transport or car rental (split), and some attractions. Theme park tickets (Disney, Universal) run $109-$145 per day, so factor that in if they’re on your list.
A good one-week itinerary: 3 days in Orlando for theme parks, 2 days in Miami for beaches and Wynwood, and 2 days in Key West or Everglades National Park. Rent a car for the Miami-Key West drive; it’s five hours with epic ocean views. Book hotels in advance if you’re traveling in peak season (Nov-April).
Absolutely. Orlando’s theme parks are designed for families, and most resorts have pools and kids’ clubs. Clearwater Beach and Naples have calm waters perfect for young swimmers. Many hotels offer free stays for kids, and you’ll find plenty of playgrounds and family restaurants throughout the state.
Florida is a great solo destination. Miami and Tampa have lively hostels like Freehand Miami and Gram’s Place, and you’ll meet travelers from everywhere. Public transport is reliable in big cities, and there are tons of group tours for the Everglades, snorkeling, or city walks. Stick to well-lit areas at night, just like anywhere.
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