How Much Is a Round Trip Flight to Miami?

Miami is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. Known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich culture, it’s no wonder over 20 million people visit Miami every year. If you’re planning a trip to Miami, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is how much a round trip flight costs.

What Factors Affect the Price of a Miami Flight?

Several key factors impact how much you’ll pay for a round trip flight to Miami:

Time of Year

Miami is a popular winter escape for those trying to get away from the cold. Demand spikes from December to March, so you’ll generally find the highest airfares during these peak tourism months. Prices are often lowest from September to November when the humidity and threat of hurricanes dissuade some travelers.

Day of the Week

Flights are generally more expensive on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays because these are popular travel days for vacations. You can save money by flying midweek on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

Time of Day

Early morning and late night flights are often cheaper because they are less convenient flight times. Flights around midday are generally the most expensive.

Advance Purchase

Booking flights to Miami well in advance—at least several weeks to months early—will almost always be cheaper than a last minute booking.

Airline

Certain low-cost carriers like Spirit or Frontier offer very cheap base fares to compete with the larger airlines. However, watch out for extra fees. The major carriers like American, United, and Delta can still offer competitive pricing depending on the route and date.

Connecting vs. Nonstop

Nonstop flights are usually more expensive because they offer more convenience. Connecting flights with a layover in another city are cheaper, but add extra travel time.

Average Cost of a Flight to Miami

To give you a general idea, here are the average prices for round trip flights from some of the most searched departure cities:

From New York City: $200-$400 roundtrip
From Chicago: $250-$450 roundtrip
From Los Angeles: $350-$550 roundtrip
From Dallas: $200-$400 roundtrip
From Atlanta: $150-$350 roundtrip

However, the price can easily be higher or lower depending on all the factors mentioned above. The cheapest flights are usually around $100-$200 roundtrip when booked far in advance or during off-peak times. The most expensive last minute flights during peak holiday times can be $600 or more.

Cheapest Time to Fly to Miami

The cheapest time to purchase a Miami flight is typically September through mid-December, excluding Thanksgiving week. This falls during the off-season when fewer tourists are visiting.

You’ll find the lowest average prices if you can avoid flying around:

Spring Break (March)
Easter (April)
Memorial Day Weekend (Late May)
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day Weekend (Early September)
Thanksgiving (Late November)
December Holidays (Mid-December through Early January)

Even if you travel during the peak season, you can still get a good deal by booking early. Try to buy your tickets at least two months in advance during the popular winter months.

Best Months for cheap Miami flights:

September: The humidity has died down and hurricane threats have passed after August. Prices for fall are low before holiday travel spikes.
October: South Florida’s rainy season has ended while the holiday crowds have yet to arrive. Great deals abound.
Early November: With kids back in school, airlines slash fares before Thanksgiving airfare hikes. The start of Miami’s dry season.
Mid-December: Miami flights around the holidays are pricey. But bargains emerge for trips right before Christmas or after New Year’s.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights to Miami

Here are some tips to help you get the best possible deal on a round trip flight:

Book early. Prices will almost always be lower when you buy 56+ days in advance.
Fly midweek. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday departures are ideal.
Look for off-peak times. The cheapest times are usually September-November and mid-December.
Check multiple sites. Compare prices across travel search engines like Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights.
Consider budget airlines. Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant offer cheap base fares but charge extra fees.
Take red-eyes or connecting flights. You’ll save money with less convenient flight times.
Check airline sales. Sign up for email alerts so you’ll be notified of fare sales.
Use airline miles. Cash in those credit card and frequent flyer rewards for free or discounted tickets!

Estimated Prices on Popular Travel Sites

To give you an idea of real prices, here is a sampling of round trip fares to Miami found on popular travel websites:

Expedia Flight Deals from Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA)

December flights starting at $468 roundtrip
January flights starting at $488 roundtrip
February flights starting at $398 roundtrip

Travelocity Flight Deals from New York City (JFK) to Miami (MIA)

September flights starting at $147 roundtrip
October flights starting at $187 roundtrip
November flights starting at $197 roundtrip

Kayak Flight Deals from Chicago (ORD) to Miami (MIA)

September flights starting at $220 roundtrip
October flights starting at $250 roundtrip
November flights starting at $276 roundtrip

As you can see, September and October offer substantial savings compared to peak season winter months. Shop around across sites and flex your travel dates to land the best Miami flight bargains. Sign up for price alerts and pounce when airfare dips on your preferred route.

How to Get the Cheapest Flight to Miami: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to boost your chances of scoring an affordable roundtrip flight:

1. Know when to book

For peak season, book 2-3 months in advance
For off-season, 6 or more weeks in advance is okay
Last minute deals do happen but are rare

2. Check fares daily

Prices fluctuate constantly so check back often
Set price alerts in case there’s a sale

3. Search flights on Tuesday afternoons

Airlines tend to release sales on Tuesdays
Afternoon searches show the widest range of deals

4. Comparison shop between airline and travel sites

Check airline sites like Delta and American
Compare to Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, etc.

5. Extend your airport search

Look beyond just MIA, FLL has good options too
Nearby airports can have cheaper pricing

6. Consider all airports in the region

West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Key West could work
Allows more chances for low fare finds

7. Search for connecting flights

Direct routes are ideal but often costly
Stopovers can significantly reduce the fare

8. Check budget airline prices

Spirit, Frontier and others compete on price
Just watch out for extra fees they may add

9. Use airline mile points and credits

Sign up for rewards programs to earn miles
Use points from credit card welcome bonuses

10. Book at the right time of day

Midnight to 1 am Eastern shows the widest range of fares
Prices spike at the start of business hours

The Cheapest Time to Fly to Miami

To recap, the ideal time to find cheap Miami flights is:

September – November (excluding Thanksgiving week)
Mid-December – Just after New Years

Aim to book at least 8 – 12 weeks before your travel dates for the lowest fares. Be flexible and persistent in searching across airline and travel websites. Sign up for price alerts and airline rewards programs.

While Miami flights can get pricey, you can still find deals for $200 – $300 roundtrip with some strategic planning. Avoid the most expensive times around holidays and school breaks. Fly midweek instead of weekends. Ultimately, the cheapest flights go to the flexible travelers who can pounce when airfare dips!

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