Life can get a little… hectic. Between endless to-do lists and inboxes that refuse to hit zero, it’s no surprise that a vacation sounds pretty great right now.
Well, here’s some good news (just in time for International Day of Happiness on March 20): the happiest countries in the world (based on the 2024 World Happiness Report) are not only real, but they’re also on sale. As in, flights to some of the world’s most joyful destinations just got way cheaper. If that’s not a sign from the universe to pack a bag, we don’t know what is.
These are the top cities seeing an airfare drop.
If you’re looking for a real getaway, here are the cities seeing the biggest airfare drops:
- Sydney, Australia (-21%) – Get the best beaches and the best accents. Win-win.
- Ottawa, Canada (-20%) – Maple syrup, politeness, and universal healthcare. What’s not to love?
- Gothenburg, Sweden (-17%) – Sweden does happiness and furniture better than anyone.
- Brisbane, Australia (-17%) – Sun, surf, and fewer deadly creatures than you think.
- Luxembourg, Luxembourg (-15%) – A country so nice, they named it twice.
- Helsinki, Finland (-15%) – The land of saunas, heavy metal, and universal bliss.
- Christchurch, New Zealand (-12%) – If stunning landscapes and friendly locals don’t make you happy, nothing will.
- Prague, Czech Republic (-11%) – Beer is cheaper than water here. Do with that information what you will.
- Calgary, Canada (-11%) – One look at Banff National Park and your happy meter will skyrocket.
And for those looking for a deal from their home airport, these are the destinations gaining popularity among travelers AND seeing a decrease in airfare:
The happiest states in the US.
Looking for some happiness a little closer to home? These states ranked among the happiest in the US and here’s how much it’ll cost on average to fly to each.
So, what’s your move?
If your current vibe is mildly unhappy with a side of stress, we suggest a simple, research-backed solution: book a flight somewhere that ranks high on the happiness scale. And since flights to those places are cheaper than last year, there’s really no excuse.
Go ahead—search flights on KAYAK and find your happy place. Literally.
KAYAK considered flight searches for the top 20 destinations from the World Happiness Report between Oct. 1, 2024 and Feb 28, 2025 for travel between March 1 – Aug. 30, 2025. For year over year comparisons, searches between Oct. 1, 2023 and Feb 28, 2024 for travel between March 1 – Aug. 30, 2024. Search demand change is based on year over year changes in flight interest. Airfare changes are based on year over year changes in flight costs. Airfare is based on a round-trip, economy itinerary from a US origin and is subject to change. Cost savings are not guaranteed.
