Ready for a vacation? These are the cheapest flights out of State College booking now

Planning a vacation can quickly become expensive, and that’s especially true if you’re hoping to take to the skies and fly across the country.

Average costs for transportation services across the U.S. have increased by roughly 9.4% over the last year , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index. Inflated costs can heavily constrain travel budgets and turn a once-affordable vacation into an impossibility.

If you’re planning a vacation from Centre County and hoping to fly out of the recently renamed State College Regional Airport , what options might be the most affordable? We took a look at the airport’s booking system to find some of the cheapest and most intriguing options for one-way flights available over the next few weeks.

How did we look for flights out of State College?

To keep things consistent, this exercise examined flights leaving State College Regional Airport through United Airlines. We did not filter out one-way flights for certain days, but most of the cheapest options we found for the near future were in mid-August. We scanned for available flights that were open for booking as of July 24.

Ultimately, final costs for flights will vary by travel date, plus any potential fees or added charges. The prices included below were found by searching for United Airlines flights leaving State College Regional Airport on any date and at any time. Most flights we saw for cheaper rates — including the eight flights featured in this story — all include at least one layover.

Nassau, Bahamas

Itching for a tropical getaway? State College’s airport is offering a roughly $130 one-way ticket to Nassau on Wednesday, Aug. 14, through United Airlines, our search found. The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau is the commonwealth’s largest city and features many beaches and historic attractions for those visiting the area.

On top of countless beaches, some of the top attractions in Nassau include Clifton Heritage National Park , the Queen’s Staircase , Fort Montagu and the Pompey Museum of Emancipation and Slavery .

Huntsville, Alabama

The cheapest flight we found leaving State College through United Airlines in the near future is heading to Huntsville, Alabama, on Aug. 20 . A one-way trip will run you just $99.

The most populous city in Alabama, Huntsville offers many attractions for travelers, including the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum and the Huntsville Botanical Garden . Huntsville is often called the “Rocket City” due to its history supporting rocket and missile development, which is featured in depth at the nearby U.S. Space and Rocket Center .

Bozeman, Montana

United Airlines is also offering a $198 one-way trip to Bozeman, Montana , from State College on Aug. 11. Bozeman, located in southwestern Montana, is largely known for its wealth of outdoor activities and its proximity to the Bridger Mountains and national attractions like Yellowstone National Park, which is roughly a 1.5-hour drive away.

Other attractions in the Bozeman area include the American Computer and Robotics Museum , the Museum of the Rockies and the Bridger Bowl Ski Area .

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Nestled along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga has a lot to offer for visitors. United Airlines offers a $119 one-way flight to the area from State College on Aug. 15 .

Some of the most notable tourist attractions in the Chattanooga area include the Tennessee Aquarium , the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel , the Hunter Museum of American Art and the Tennessee Riverwalk , a roughly 13-mile trail running alongside the Tennessee River. Chattanooga, recognized as the birthplace of the tow truck, is also home to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum .

San Juan, Puerto Rico

You could reach Puerto Rico’s capital through a $125 one-way flight from State College on Aug. 19, according to United Airlines’ online booking system. Also the largest city in the Puerto Rico, San Juan offers plenty for guests thanks to its rich history and location along the coast.

Travelers in the area might consider catching some rays at San Juan’s three major beaches: Condado Beach, El Escambrón Beach and Ocean Park Beach. You could also visit cultural landmarks through San Juan’s centuries-old history, including the La Fortaleza governor’s residence, San Juan Cathedral and the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal , two of the most significant citadels built to protect San Juan by land and sea.

Boston, Massachusetts

Centre County travelers in need of a less tropical getaway might be interested in a trip to Boston. United Airlines is offering a one-way flight to the largest city in Massachusetts for $199 on Aug. 20 , for example.

Besides walking the Freedom Trail and grabbing a fresh lobster roll, travelers to Boston might consider catching a Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park , exploring the city’s famed theater district or dining and shopping at Faneuil Hall’s marketplace .

Cancún, Mexico

Through United Airlines, travelers flying out of State College’s airport can score a $155 one-way flight on Aug. 18 down to the Yucatán Peninsula. Cancún presents plenty for guests as one of Mexico’s premier tourist destinations bordering the Caribbean Sea.

On top of a seemingly endless number of beach resorts, Cancún offers Mayan archaeological sites and more modern amenities like nightclubs, restaurants and shops. A summer trip might be an attractive option for those hoping to avoid the spring break crowds known to travel to Cancún each year.

Montrose, Colorado

United Airlines offers a $198 one-way flight out of State College to this Colorado city on Aug. 14 , according to the airline’s booking system.

Montrose offers plenty for those who don’t mind being outdoors. You’ll find adventures in every direction: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park sits just to the city’s east; the San Juan Mountains are set to the south; the Grand Mesa , the world’s largest flat-top mountain, is to the north; and the enormous Uncompahgre Plateau is situated to the west.

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About State College Regional Airport

Formerly named University Park Airport, the airport received its new name in November 2023 in an effort to eliminate some confusion among locals and travelers, who often called it “the State College airport.”

Penn State owns the airport and is responsible for its administration, planning, development, operation, maintenance and security, while the Centre County Airport Authority handles commercial airline operations and parking.

State College Regional Airport mainly offers flights from American Airlines and United Airlines, including daily flights to destinations like Philadelphia, Chicago and Newark, N.J. The airport recently resumed daily round-trip flights to Washington, D.C. , and opened a new cafe back in March.

Roughly 274,567 total passengers traveled through State College’s airport in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Though that figure marked an increase from 2022, it still falls well short of pre-pandemic totals . Approximately 384,342 total passengers traveled to and from State College Regional Airport in 2019.