Sick of cold weather? 5 cheap local flights to warm destinations

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Ditch the snow and freezing temps with some cheap flights to the beach and beyond from Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. This news organization researched some good deals you can land during these long, winter months:

1. Take a weekend trip down to Punta Gorda, Florida from Dayton. 

Call off work for a long weekend. Your nonstop Allegiant flight leaves the Dayton International Airport around 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. You’ll arrive for a sun-soaked weekend around noon, just in time for an afternoon margarita on the beach. You’ll head home back to Dayton around 7 a.m. on Monday, and you’ll be back by 9:30 a.m. — just in time to make it to work.

What will your quick trip down to the beach cost you? The flight will cost you about $225 roundtrip — $128 for the departing flight and $97.50 for the returning flight.

2. It’s spring training in Arizona. 

Get your baseball fix a little early this year. Fly out to Phoenix, Arizona in March for the Cincinnati Reds spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Daily flights from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will operate March 8 to April 7. Southwest started service at the Cincinnati airport during the summer, after halting all flights at the Dayton International Airport.

What will it cost you? Leave Monday, March 12 for a week full of baseball. It'll cost you $275 roundtrip, and you'll arrive back in Cincinnati around 3:25 p.m.

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3. Everything’s bigger in Texas … but the flights are cheaper.

Time to head to the Lone Star State. You’re flying to Austin, known for its eclectic mix of restaurants and live music. Explore the Texas capital, go for a hike or visit one of the city’s world-class museums. The flight leaves Monday, Feb. 19 and you’ll return to Columbus on Feb. 23.

What will your trip to Texas cost? It's only $105 roundtrip.

4. Grab your passport. You’re off to Paris.

There’s nothing like Paris in the springtime. Book your tickets now for a week in France in mid-May. WOW air, Iceland’s low-cost carrier, is offering cheap flights from Cincinnati to Paris. You’ll leave in the wee hours on May 10 for a 10-hour flight to France’s capital. A week later, you’ll return to Cincinnati on May 18.

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What will this international trip cost you? It's hard to find any international plane ticket for under $1,000. This plane ticket will cost $689.98 roundtrip — $389.99 for the departing flight and $299.99 for the returning flight. Some flights are cheaper for WOW air depending on the dates, so shop around before booking.

5. Can’t wait? Leave for Florida now. 

You can head down to Tampa from Dayton for less than $100. Explore the Gulf Coast city for the week, visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Florida Aquarium or relax on Clearwater Beach. You’ll leave Jan. 22 and return Jan. 26 for a quick four-day trip.

How much will it cost you? This Allegiant flight from Dayton to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will cost you $89 roundtrip.

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