Americans looking for a low-cost vacation this summer should consider a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, a city typically booked as a layover destination.
This summer, the southern city topped a list of the best and most affordable vacation destinations for families on a budget.
An estimated 8 in 10 Americans are planning to travel this summer, with 42 percent planning multiple trips, according to a Wallethub report.
But rising inflation and record-high interest rates mean home affordability is more important than ever.
The researchers analyzed 100 metropolitan areas based on 41 key indicators.
The data was based on factors such as cheap airfares, number of tourist attractions and average food prices.
Of the 100 places WalletHub concluded are the best travel destinations, some of the most affordable destinations to look out for this year include Georgia, Florida and Hawaii.
Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, has one of the largest airports in the United States and is known as a great place to travel in the summer.
One of the main reasons this airline made it onto the ranking is that it offers some of the cheapest flights without any stops from major cities.
According to WalletHub, you can get a flight to Atlanta for around $278.
Atlanta is packed with entertainment for families and adults, with one of the latest last bar orders being at 4am.
Washington DC
The Washington DC metropolitan area was ranked the second best place to travel this summer and the safest.
According to WalletHub, a single flight from other major cities will cost at least $331.
Washington DC is the capital of the United States and home to popular attractions such as the Lincoln Memorial and the White House.
The area is also home to a plethora of museums, recreational activities, and affordable restaurants to make any trip to Washington DC a memorable one.
Orlando
Orlando, Florida, is the third most popular summer travel destination and home to the most magical place on earth: Disney World.
The cheapest flights from Orlando to major cities have no connections and cost just $308 per ticket.
The city also has the cheapest rates for three-star hotels, and like Washington DC, Orlando has plenty of affordable restaurants.
One of the reasons Orlando is so highly rated is because of its many tourist attractions, including water parks and boat tours.
Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii, has ranked high on multiple WalletHub lists this season.
Not only is it the fourth most popular travel destination this summer, it’s also the second cheapest to visit and one of the most expensive destinations with local costs.
It’s a popular destination for travelers looking to relax on the beach, but flights are expensive, with some costing more than $400.
However, the airport has connecting flights to all other Hawaiian islands.
Tampa
Tampa is the fifth most popular travel destination this summer, despite its year-round heat and humidity.
June to August is usually the hottest period of the year and this may be what attracts tourists to the city.
Unfortunately, round-trip flights to Tampa are expensive, with most tickets costing between $400 and $500 per traveler.
It’s home to some popular, affordable attractions, including Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.
Austin
Austin, Texas, is a great choice for a budget travel destination thanks to its affordable airfares.
Travelers hoping to spend this summer in Austin can book round-trip flights for less than $200.
It also made it into WalletHub’s list of top 10 tourist attractions for visitors of all ages.
Be careful with Austin hotels, though, as festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits are often located nearby.
Philadelphia
Click here to resize this module
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is ranked the 7th best summer travel destination and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.
Tourists can dine on a traditional Philly cheesesteak, take photos of the Liberty Bell and pose in front of the Rocky statue.
But the average price for a round-trip flight to Philadelphia is just $198 to $234 per passenger.
The average cost of a hotel stay in Philadelphia is $1,055 per week, roughly the same price as a round-trip flight to Honolulu this summer.
Chicago
Chicago was ranked 8th among the best places to vacation with families this summer.
It received a score of 61.59 on WalletHub’s index, scoring highly in terms of local costs and travel value.
One of Chicago’s top tourist attractions is Navy Pier, a family-friendly pier with a variety of free activities.
El Paso
The El Paso, Texas metropolitan area ranked ninth among summer travel destinations and also made it into the top 10 for weather.
However, depending on the time of year, a round-trip flight to El Paso can cost up to $350.
Because El Paso isn’t near any major event locations, travelers may have a better chance of finding a hotel room than they would in Austin.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, ranked in the top 10 summer travel destinations and also in the top 10 for activities.
On average, a round-trip flight to Cincinnati will cost just $186 and a week’s stay in a hotel will likely cost less than $1,000.
There is a wide variety of places tourists can visit to enjoy the city, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Great American Ballpark, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
