It might be peak season for travel to the USA right now, but there has never been a better time to plan ahead and nab yourself a cheap getaway, with some star spangled super deals on offer.
From breathtaking natural wonders, to mammoth and fascinating man made cities of towering steel and glass, the USA has quite a lot to offer over its 50 states. Whether you are a first-time traveller, or a repeat visitor, arriving on flights to the USA you have a huge choice of fascinating destinations to choose from in this vast nation.
When to plan to go
The vast spread of the country means there is a great deal of variety in climate and seasonal events throughout the year, so there is never really a bad time to visit. West Coast hangs means travellers enjoys fine weather year-round, while the Pacific Northwest Coast getaways (Washington, Oregon) will bring cool summers and mild winters. Get hot in the Midwest with its intense summers and winters and frequent tornadoes and thunderstorms, while a fling in Florida means you will enjoy the warmest winters on the eastern coast. Hotspots like New York, Las Vegas and Orlando are best visited in spring and autumn as summers are uncomfortably warm.
The best time to visit really depends on where in the USA you are going and what you want to see. High season generally runs May to September, and booking during this time needs at least 6 months lead to get a good deal. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are the most picturesque months to visit the east and west coasts, but be sure to leave at least a month lead time to book.
For the best deals however, low season hits in winter when flight prices drop just like the temperatures. The winter months in the northern states, means ski and snow season, and while most attractions in the larger cities remain open all year round, the smaller coastal towns and seasonal destinations close during the winter.
Are we there yet?
The one downside about travel to the USA is the time it takes to get there. The flights are long and the change in time zones can really mess with your body clock so jet lag is a given. As a guide, flights to the USA from around Australia are:
Flights from Sydney to USA (Los Angeles) – 14 hrs 10 mins
Flights from Melbourne to USA (Los Angeles) – 14 hrs 50 mins
Flights from Brisbane to USA (Los Angeles) – 13 hrs 30 mins
Flights from Perth to USA (Los Angeles) – 20 hrs 45 mins
We’ll take you there
The good news about travel to the USA is the number of airlines operating the route all vying for your hard-earnt coin. Competition is stiff, which means there are always opportunities to bag a bargain.
The most popular flight route to the USA from Australia is into Los Angeles, with several airlines competing for direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. United, Delta, Virgin Australia and Qantas all operate direct services. Why not consider a stopover in San Francisco with airlines like China Southern and American Airlines. Once in Los Angeles, there are many low-cost domestic airlines, including no-frills leaders Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, to fly you anywhere in any state.
Shut up and take my money
Ready to book your flights to the USA? KarryOn had a look around to see what was out there in the market at the moment, and happy to report you can get there for under $1k.
The Cheapest deal was with Fiji Airways at $805 from Sydney to Los Angeles return, valid for 02 August – 13 September 2017 and 10 October to 30 November 2017. The ticket must be paid and booked by 07 May. This flight will travel from Sydney via Nadi in Fiji to Los Angeles, so not the fastest route.
The best direct flights are with Virgin Australia from Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles at $969 return. Travel is valid for these flights between 14 May 2017 – 09 June 2017, 23 July 2017 – 12 September 2017 and 09 October 2017 – 24 November 2017.
Direct flights Melbourne to Los Angeles with Qantas start at $1000 return for travel in June, while Delta Airlines will do flights from Brisbane to Los Angeles in June for $995 return.
All prices quoted are subject to availability and change.