With sub-$550 tickets to Boston or Beijing, this summer's proving to be an unusually affordable three-month span to embark on your next budget-friendly getaway.
So, ready your meticulously stuffed carry-ons—here are 25 flights leaving from SFO this summer that are sure to satiate your (frugal) nomadic soul. (Please note that all fares are subject to change.)
Cheap domestic flights leaving SFO:
Las Vegas for $68 (Depart June 27 via United Airlines, return July 2nd courtesy of same carrier)
Portland for $137 (Depart July 3rd via Alaskan Airlines return July 8th courtesy of Virgin Airlines)
Chicago for $188 (Depart July 12th via United Airlines, return July 20th courtesy of same carrier)
Dallas for $189 (Depart June 12th via Virgin Airlines, return June 20th courtesy of same carrier)
Seattle for $199 (Depart July 27th via United Airlines, return August 7th courtesy of same carrier)
Austin for $228 (Depart August 15th via Frontier Airlines, return August 22nd courtesy of same carrier)
New Orleans for $228 (Depart August 25th via Frontier Airlines, return August 28th courtesy of same carrier)
Miami for $228 (Depart August 20th via Frontier Airlines, return August 23rd courtesy of same carrier)
Nashville for $228 (Depart August 19th via Frontier Airlines, return August 21st courtesy of same carrier)
New York City for $283 (Depart June 24th via American Airlines, return June 26th courtesy of same carrier)
Washington D.C. for $289 (Depart August 11th via Frontier Airlines, return August 16th courtesy of same carrier)
Boston for $326 (Depart July 3rd via Sun Country Airlines, return July 7th courtesy of same carrier)
Honolulu for $457 (Depart August 21st via Virgin Airlines, return on August 28th courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines)
Pro Tip: Budget airlines such as Spirit usually offer the cheapest face-value tickets, but at a cost. (You can end-up paying as much as a $100 per carry-on, each way.) Triple-check the fine print—seating assignments, carry on policies, pricing, etc.—before booking.
Bargain-basement international flights leaving SFO:
Vancouver for $256 (Depart June 28th via Delta Airlines, return July 1st courtesy of American Airlines)
Puerto Vallarta for $338(Depart August 22nd via either Virgin or Alaskan Airlines, return August 30th courtesy of either carrier)
Paris for $520 (Depart August 15th via WOW Airlines, return August 31st courtesy of same carrier)
Bangkok for $529 (Depart August 23rd via China Southern Airlines, return August 30th courtesy of same carrier)
Beijing for $549 (Depart August 22nd via China Southern Airlines, return August 31st courtesy of same carrier)
London for $577 (Depart August 15th via Delta and Virgin Airlines, return August 22nd courtesy of same carriers)
Tokyo for $680 (Depart August 24th via China Southern Airlines, return August 31st courtesy of same carrier)
Athens for $794 (Depart August 24th via Delta and Brussels Airlines, return August 28th courtesy of Lufthansa Airlines)
New Delhi for $861(Depart July 13th via Canada Airlines, return July 17th courtesy of same carrier)
Melbourne for $922 (Depart August 8th via Air New Zealand , return August 15th courtesy of Air New Zealand and United)
Cape Town for $996 (Depart August 16th via Delta Airlines, return August 31st courtesy of KLM Airlines)
Auckland for $1,006 (Depart August 15th via China Southern Airlines, return August 23rd courtesy of same carrier)
Pro Tip: To save when traveling internationally, regardless of the season, try to book red-eye flights leaving Monday through Wednesday. Generally speaking, mid-week, late-night departures will yield the most affordable ticket prices. (Plus, you can fall straight to sleep in one country, and literally wake up in another.)
For funsies: Be on the lookout for SFO's own therapy pig, LiLou, who will be more than happy to ease any of your airport woes or anxieties about flying. If, however, she's not on duty the day you're scheduled to fly-out, don't fret. Here's a piglet going for an afternoon swim in a pink kiddie pool.
