10 insanely affordable winter destinations for 2017-18

Stockholm: Insanely cheap trans-Atlantic fares and the lure of the northern lights make Stockholm a top pick for affordable winter destinations this year. WOW Air has fares to Stockholm starting at $150 each way from Boston via Reykjavik for November through February flights, with average round-trip fares from Los Angeles for just $335. This winter, the average nightly rate at a four-star hotel is just $120.

Cambodia: Record-breaking low fares and bucket-list tourist attractions mean now is the time to head to Cambodia. Winter airfares to Phnom Penh on ANA are about $600 round-trip from both New York City and Los Angeles. And thanks to the conversion rate, four-star hotels will only cost you about $40 per night.

Sun Valley, Idaho: If you’re looking to hit the slopes but want to avoid the crowds and high price tag of Colorado and Utah, head to Idaho’s ski resorts instead. Sun Valley‘s airport is only 14 miles from the main ski resort area; round-trip flights from Los Angeles start at $189, or $312 from New York City-area airports.

Berlin: This year, one of the best places to go for the holidays is also affordable. Airfare to Germany is very affordable, especially to Berlin. You’ll find routes from Los Angeles for an average of $400 round-trip or $558 from New York during the winter months. Hotels are also less expensive, with four-star hotels averaging $100 per night.

Hawaii: Hawaii fares will soon be cheaper than ever thanks to Southwest’s entrance into the market. And you can also find other deals on the islands, depending on where you go this winter. Trying to escape the cold of the Northeast? Consider Maui — with average airfare under $700 round-trip. West Coasters can find similarly good deals to Maui — think round-trip fares under $500 from Los Angeles.

Gatlinburg, Tenn.: This national park area and its surrounding cities of Gatlinburg and Knoxville make for an unexpectedly festive and affordable winter destination. Expect round-trip winter airfares from New York City to Knoxville to hover under $200. Hotels are affordable as well. For instance, rates start just under $100 at the Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg, which has an ideal location at the entrance of the national park.

Costa Rica: Inexpensive airfare and ultra-cheap accommodations make Costa Rica your perfect tropical winter destination. Average round-trip airfare to San Jose for the winter months from both Los Angeles and New York City is around $500, which is cheaper than many flights to the Caribbean during this time. Couple these lower airfares with inexpensive accommodations (the average three-star hotel in San Jose is $45 per night in winter) and you’ll have plenty of leftover cash for adventure activities.

Chicago: If you’re headed to Chicago this winter, you’re in luck. Flights are cheap and there are plenty of activities to help you escape the cold. Median airfare from the U.S. and Canada for the winter months stays well under $300 round-trip, with prices averaging as low as $79 from New York City and $138 from Los Angeles. For accommodations, you should be able to snag a four-star hotel for under $150 all season long.

Riviera Maya, Mexico: Riviera Maya has seen a dip in prices since last year thanks in part to the drop in the Mexican peso. And while CheapOair reports that the Cancun area is consistently one of its most popular international destinations, prices are still cheap — think average, round-trip fares like $484 from Boston and $368 from Las Vegas during the winter months. Save on accommodations by booking no-frills, three-star properties, which will cost you about $125 per night in areas like Tulum and Cancun.

Detroit: While cold, Motor City is an affordable weekend getaway and offers family-friendly festivals that celebrate winter. Searches for a variety of winter dates on Airfarewatchdog show fares under $100 from cities like Baltimore, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Miami, New York and Philadelphia. Hotel prices at properties with convenient locations, like Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown – Fort Shelby are around $150 per night in the winter months.

While winter travel typically means holiday-inflated airfares, inclement weather and long delays, it can also be one of the best seasons to travel on the cheap if you time it right. From cities with epic Christmas markets to wallet-friendly beach vacations, these 10 winter destinations are both festive and affordable this year.