It’s The Cheapest Time to Book a Flight—Check Out These Last-Minute Affordable Destinations

Nowadays, booking a flight can cost an arm and a leg. With so many fees and hidden charges, we can shell out more than $1,000 on just a one-way ticket within the U.S. Low season is in February and March, and according to most airlines, that's the best time to book travel. Waiting until the holidays or the summer when everyone is off from work can have disastrous effects on your bank account. It's always suggested to book travel during low season and, more specifically, book a flight for a day in the middle of the week, like Tuesday, whenever possible. This is recommended for finding the best deal. We caught up with Yaireth Cruz, a flight attendant for a major airline, who often travels outside of work and tries to save whenever possible.

When is the best time to travel if you're on a budget?

The best time to travel would be February through March, during what is considered "low season." Low season is whenever people are not traveling as much because schools are in session or they are working. High season is spring/summer when kids are out of school and people often take vacations.

What are the cheapest destinations?

The best value trip that I've ever been on was to Asia where I only spent $2,000 for 16 days and 15 nights (airfare and housing included). The best places to fly internationally to when you're on a budget are Southeast Asia, Central and South America.

What airlines are the cheapest to book flights on?

The most affordable airlines to fly on are Spirit and Frontier, but you have to know how to fly with them. They have extra charges for things you think they wouldn't charge for. If you book with them, make sure you read the fine print and travel light (carry-ons only). I also like booking travel on apps like Skyscanner, Hopper, Kayak and Google Flights. You can filter flights based on your budget and book directly with the airlines. I always recommend booking directly with an airline versus a third party—third parties will charge you extra, and if there are any changes, can double your initial booking cost.

How do you stay safe when traveling?

I'm always cautious, but I think there's always a risk when traveling. You have to do tons of research before going to a destination. Things like finding out if you need to get vaccinated and always washing your hands are essential when traveling. I like to carry disinfectant wipes and a little medicine kit with me whenever I go anywhere. More importantly, you should always book with travel insurance. Travel insurance can do things like refund your flight if needed or, in more serious cases, pay for medical expenses overseas where some insurances aren't accepted.

Ready to book? Read on for the best travel options now.

Depending on where you're flying from, flights to San Juan will cost you as little as $100 per person right now. Generally, the best time to fly to the island is in January, but February and March are also good months to visit. Check out Hacienda Siesta Alegre for a hotel that oozes Puerto Rican culture and affordability. Fly into San Juan and explore historical sites like Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro and North America's only rainforest, El Yunque.

Surprisingly, Miami's peak season is in December and it starts winding down soon after. Like San Juan, the best times to travel when on a budget are in January and March. Flights can go as low as $87 per person, depending on your location. Tuesday is the most economical day to fly and Friday is the most expensive. Hotels can vary, but a 3-star spot can run around $167 on odd nights.

If you're planning on heading to The Golden City make sure it's in March. According to Cheap Flights, the best time to travel is in March when a flight will cost you $250 and under. Depending on your sensibility, you can also get a hotel room for under $120.

If you want to head to Boston you should do it RIGHT now. You can get a flight for around $65 depending on which airport you're flying out of. February is the most economical month to fly into the city, while June is the worst.

Flying to central Florida is cheapest in January, but you can find flights for around $167 in March. Going to Disney World is another story, but staying at Disney's Art of Animation Resort can be an affordable option for a family of four.

Like with most destinations on this list, the most expensive time to fly to Spain is in December. While February and March aren't the absolute cheapest, you can get a solid discount this time of year. Flights from New York to Madrid can go as low as $252 per person, roundtrip. Try flying out in the morning to save your euro for souvenirs.

Costa Rica's dry season is from November to April so flying out now is perfect. You can get a cheap flight starting at $229 roundtrip. This low-profile destination is the perfect place to recharge and explore the beauty of nature.

Visiting this metropolitan city should be a must-do on everyone's bucket lists. March is the perfect (and cheapest) time to visit, with flights starting off around $200 roundtrip. You can stay at the Instagram-perfect Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico for only $130 a night.

Booking travel to Hawaii is never cheap, but during the later winter months, you can get flights to Honolulu for around $483. This may not fit everyone's budget, but it's a good deal considering their peak flights (December) can start at $905 per person.

This is another one that might not be within everyone's budget, but is a worthwhile trip. Flights can go for around $764 during the most economical flight month (March), which is way better than the normal rate of $1,843 per person.

Flying to New Delhi in March is advisable, when you can snag a flight as cheap as $580. Even though this falls within India's wet season, it's a trip likely to change your life. Fly out on a Monday afternoon for the best rate. A quality hotel in Delhi can range from $100 to $200 a night, depending on your preferences.

Even though the weather might not be ideal, flying to London in February and March is way cheaper than during peak season in January. Flight prices can dip as low as $400 per person, roundtrip. Stay at The Pilgrm Hotel in Paddington for a sensible rate.

If you want to check out Berlin, book flights now. They can go as low as $328 per person, roundtrip from New York. February is the best month to nab affordable tickets, and this city has plenty to do regardless of the weather conditions upon arrival.

Another great city to visit in February or March is Rome. For around $216, you can get a roundtrip flight. If you can't swing a vacation right now, just make sure to avoid booking a trip for the summer months here. The priciest month to visit is July, with a whopping $792-per-person plane ticket. When you arrive, stay at the centrally located Albergo del Senato Hotel—the bill here runs for around $130 a night and you'll be in the center of all the main attractions.

This is so cheap it should be criminal. From New York to Las Vegas you'll only pay around $113 round trip. The summer is Vegas' peak season so a lot of hotels are empty and affordable during the winter months. Check out the Sahara Las Vegas for rooms starting at $79 a night. You can save all your travel money for gambling (highly not suggested).