The Cheapest Flight Destinations and Best Travel Planning Tips for 2025

Americans are grappling with "Wanderlost," a phenomenon coined by the travel agency Skyscanner to describe the paralysis induced by overthinking vacation planning. Research by the global travel marketplace reveals that 51 percent of Americans find January, the peak season for travel decision-making, to be overwhelming. With consumers spending one to three months selecting their next vacation, Skyscanner has published what it says are neuroscience-backed strategies and budget-friendly travel recommendations for 2025.

Why It Matters

January is traditionally a month of fresh starts, with travelers using this time to plan their year's adventures. Yet for many, the pursuit of a "perfect" vacation triggers decision fatigue. "Planning a holiday can become exhausting due to the cognitive juggling of multiple options," said Dr. Faye Begeti, a neuroscientist working with Skyscanner, in a report featured by The Digital Travellers. "This can drain mental resources and turn excitement into exhaustion."

What To Know

To combat "Wanderlost," Skyscanner has partnered with Dr. Begeti to devise five neuroscience-based strategies:

1. Combat Decision Fatigue: Simplify the process by narrowing down options early.
2. Prioritize Key Decisions Early: Make significant choices, such as flights and accommodations, when energy levels are highest.
3. Match Destinations to Mental State: Choose retreats that align with your current mental state—nature trips for relaxation or city breaks for stimulation.
4. Leverage Anticipation: Save and revisit dream destinations to make planning a joy.
5. Break Routine: Explore unconventional locations to make the experience more memorable.

To assist budget-conscious travelers, Skyscanner has also released a list of 2025's cheapest destinations. Americans can find flights to destinations like Charlotte, NC ($95), Denver, CO ($158), and Valparaíso, Chile ($212). Globally, Skyscanner's Explore Everywhere tool highlights destinations such as Langkawi, Malaysia, starting at $138, according to Alvinology.

Skyscanner's 2025 Top Cheapest Destinations (Based on Percentage Price Drops):

1. Nice, France – Price drop: -27 percent
2. Castries, St. Lucia – Price drop: -25 percent
3. Bridgetown, Barbados – Price drop: -24 percent
4. Rabat, Morocco – Price drop: -24 percent
5. Fargo, North Dakota, US – Price drop: -24 percent
6. San Jose, California, US – Price drop: -23 percent
7. Charlotte, North Carolina, US – Price drop: -22 percent
8. Salt Lake City, Utah, US – Price drop: -19 percent
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands – Price drop: -19 percent
10. Barranquilla, Colombia – Price drop: -19 percent

What People Are Saying

Laura Lindsey, Skyscanner's Global Travel Trends Expert, in a press release: "Tools like 'Cheapest Month' and 'Explore Everywhere' empower travelers to discover the best deals," Brendan Walsh of Skyscanner added: "Fear of Better Offer (FOBO) and the unknown often freeze travelers in their tracks. Our goal is to remove these barriers so travelers can focus on enjoying their trips." Dr. Begeti explained in The Digital Travellers: "The prefrontal cortex governs decision-making and planning but can become fatigued with sustained mental effort. By simplifying choices and leveraging anticipatory dopamine, travelers can reclaim the joy of planning."

What's Next

The Skyscanner report also included some U.S. cities (Fargo, San Jose, Charlotte, Salt Lake City) showing domestic travel gaining more traction due to price competitiveness. Colombia remains a consistent affordable option, with Barranquilla emerging for 2025 while Bogotá was present in 2024. Last year was dominated by destinations in the Americas, while 2025 expands to Europe (Nice, Amsterdam) and Africa (Rabat). Newsweek reached out to Skyscanner over email for further comment.