Travel cost guides: US vs abroad, flights included
Data-driven answers to the questions people ask before booking: is Europe really cheaper, what costs less than Hawaii, where skiing costs less, and the cheapest trips abroad from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Seattle, Chicago and New York. Every number comes from the same all-in model as our 21 matchups.
. Flight fares and all totals are estimates, not live pricing.
Cost guides
- Cheaper alternatives to Hawaii, priced all-in
From Los Angeles, a week on Maui for 2 adults costs about $6,670 with flights. All 9 beach trips we price are cheaper, led by Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) at about $3,600, roughly $3,050 less.
- Hawaii vs Mexico: what a week costs for two
Mexico wins on price. From Los Angeles, a week for 2 adults with flights costs about $4,200 in Cancún and $3,600 in Puerto Vallarta, against about $6,670 on Maui. The airfare is similar; the hotel bill is not.
- Is skiing in Europe cheaper than the US?
Usually, yes. From Los Angeles, a week in Bansko for 2 adults costs about $4,260 with flights, lift tickets and rentals, and St. Anton about $7,270, against $9,080 for Park City and $10,210 for Aspen. Lift tickets and lodging make most of the difference.
- Is it cheaper to vacation in Europe than in the US?
Often, but not always. Flying from Los Angeles, the European trip is cheaper in 6 of our 10 US-vs-Europe matchups, all-in for 2 adults with flights; the US trip wins 3 and 1 are roughly even. Where Europe wins, it's cheaper hotels and daily costs, not airfare.
- Europe vs Florida: which week costs less?
From Los Angeles, a week in Miami for 2 adults costs about $4,550 with flights. 3 of the 5 European cities we price come in cheaper, led by Poland (Kraków) at about $3,280. Europe's airfare is higher; its hotels are mostly cheaper.
- US alternatives to a Europe trip, priced all-in
Want a Europe-style trip without the passport? We pair 9 European trips with a US stand-in. From Los Angeles, the US side is cheaper in 3 of the 9; what it usually saves is flight time, not money.
- Cheapest beach vacations from Los Angeles
The cheapest beach week we price from Los Angeles is Mexico (Puerto Vallarta): about $3,600 for 2 adults, 7 nights, round-trip flights from LAX included. Next come Bali (≈ $4,120) and Cancún (≈ $4,200).
Cheapest international trips by departure city
Each city page ranks all 20 international destinations we price by the all-in cost of a week for 2 adults, using that city's own fares.
- From Los Angeles
Cheapest: Mexico (Oaxaca), ≈ $2,640 for 2.
- From Las Vegas
Cheapest: Colombia (Medellín), ≈ $2,770 for 2.
- From Phoenix
Cheapest: Mexico (Oaxaca), ≈ $2,930 for 2.
- From Denver
Cheapest: Mexico City, ≈ $2,890 for 2.
- From Dallas
Cheapest: Colombia (Medellín), ≈ $2,600 for 2.
- From Seattle
Cheapest: Colombia (Medellín), ≈ $2,850 for 2.
- From Chicago
Cheapest: Colombia (Medellín), ≈ $2,470 for 2.
- From New York
Cheapest: Colombia (Medellín), ≈ $2,470 for 2.
Frequently asked questions
How are these trip costs calculated?
Every guide uses the same model as our comparison pages: 7 nights for 2 adults, round-trip economy flights for both travelers from the departure city, one mid-range room, and daily food, local transport and activities (plus lift tickets and rentals on ski trips). We show a low–high range and its midpoint.
How often are the prices updated?
Flight ranges marked "Aviasales cached" are refreshed automatically from cached fare data and the guides are rebuilt with them; other fare ranges come from published typical fares checked by hand on the date shown. Lodging and daily costs are the estimates listed, with sources, on each comparison page. Every page shows when fares were last updated.
Are these live prices?
No. Every figure is a sample estimate, not a quote or live pricing. Use them to compare trips, then check real prices with the airline, hotel or tour operator before you book.