Every year, families, new and returning students, church delegations and business travelers fly to the United States from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and beyond. The country is huge, so the right gateway and the right connection often matter as much as the fare. This guide covers the practical questions.
The USA at a glance
- Busy international gateways: New York (JFK, EWR), Washington (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Houston (IAH) and Dallas (DFW).
- Busiest fare periods: June to August, about December 10 to January 5, and Thanksgiving week.
- Often better-value periods: September to November outside Thanksgiving, and January to March.
- Student arrival peaks: August for fall term and January for spring term.
When to fly
Demand follows the US school year and holidays. Summer, the December holidays and Thanksgiving week are the most expensive, because families travel and students arrive or return. If you can be flexible by a few days, ask us to compare dates, because a mid-week departure is often cheaper than a weekend.
Students arriving for fall term usually fly in August, when seats and fares are tightest, so book as soon as your admission and travel documents are in order. Visitors attending a graduation, wedding or conference should book as soon as the date is fixed.
Choosing a gateway and connecting onward
Pick the gateway that gets you closest to your final stop at a sensible fare. A flight to a hub such as New York, Atlanta or Chicago, followed by a short domestic hop, is often cheaper than a direct international flight to a smaller city. We can price the whole journey on one ticket, which protects your connection and baggage if something is delayed.
Your first airport on arrival is where you clear immigration and customs, even if your ticket continues to another city. Allow generous connection times, commonly two to three hours or more, because immigration queues, baggage collection and re-checking bags can take longer than you expect. Terminals can also differ between your arrival and your onward flight.
Baggage
Checked-bag allowances vary by airline and fare, and many international fares include one or two bags of about 23 kg each. Domestic flights within the US often charge for checked bags, and basic fares may charge more, so ask us to price your onward flight with your baggage in mind. Pack medicines in your carry-on with a copy of your prescription.
Visiting family
If a relative or friend in the US is arranging your trip, they can book and pay for your ticket on your behalf. See pay over time. Make sure the name on the ticket matches your passport exactly. An invitation letter can help explain your visit, but it does not guarantee a visa or entry.
How to pay less on flights to the USA
- Avoid the peaks. Fares rise from June to August, from about December 10 to January 5, and around Thanksgiving week. September to November outside Thanksgiving, and January to March, are often better value.
- Price the whole journey. A flight to a big hub such as New York, Atlanta or Chicago followed by a short domestic hop is often cheaper than a direct international flight to a smaller city.
- Mind the domestic baggage. Domestic US flights often charge for checked bags, so price the onward leg with your baggage in mind.
- Time student arrivals. August and January are the arrival peaks, so book as soon as your documents are in order.
For the general method, see how we find cheap flights. Send us your dates and a specialist compares the options for this route.
Before you go
Entry rules depend on your passport. Many travelers need a visa, and some can apply for an electronic travel authorization (ESTA) instead. Use only the official US government websites, which are travel.state.gov for visas and esta.cbp.dhs.gov for ESTA, be wary of lookalike sites, and apply early, since visa appointment waits vary widely. Check passport validity too. A visa or authorization allows you to travel to a US port of entry, and a border officer makes the final decision on entry. We do not quote fees here.
No special vaccines are normally required for entry, although a yellow fever certificate may be asked for if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Health care in the US is expensive, so travel health insurance is worth considering. See the CDC page for the United States. Health notes reflect the CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages as last checked in October 2026, and notices change quickly.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our United States flights page, our student travel and group travel pages, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
When are flights to the USA most expensive?
Fares usually peak from June to August, from about December 10 to January 5, and around Thanksgiving week in late November. Students arriving for the fall semester push August fares up. September to November outside Thanksgiving, and January to March, are often better value.
Which US airport should I fly into?
Choose the gateway closest to your final destination when the fare is similar. New York (JFK, EWR), Washington (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) all have wide international service. Ask us to compare a direct flight to a smaller city against a connection.
Do I need a visa or ESTA?
It depends on your passport. Some travelers need a visa, and some can use an electronic travel authorization. Use only the official US government websites, apply early, and note that approval does not guarantee entry.
How early can an international student arrive?
Your school’s documents set the earliest allowed arrival date, and students are usually advised not to arrive too early. Confirm the date with your school’s international office before you book.
