Cheapest Destinations to Book in November 2019

As the year winds down, our minds gradually gravitate towards ending it right, on your own terms. Whether you’d prefer meandering across the plains in New Zealand or a chilly week out in the lesser known parts of China, CheapTickets.sg has your back - you’ll be able to grab these destinations, and more, on a budget this month!

The tail end of the year usually brings forth a deluge of bookings as people scramble to secure their flights and hotels - don’t be caught in traffic, and get that booking headstart today!

How do you read the graphs?

The dotted white line is the average rate for the route for the entire year. The blue bars represent the average ticket price in that month.

• Auckland
• Christchurch
• Jeju
• Hangzhou
• Haikou
• Kunming
• Nanjing

Auckland (AKL)

The city of Auckland draws a stark contrast to cookie-cutter modernization today, standing proud amongst its revered array of natural attractions. Mount Eden, Auckland’s highest point, is a dormant volcano that packs stunning views both into its 50m-deep crater and out to the Auckland skyline. Also worth a peek is the Auckland Art Gallery, New Zealand’s largest art institution.

Travellers looking for their little piece of tranquility can head down to Great Barrier Island, an island that’s just half an hour away by air, but with secrets that will astound even the most seasoned visitors. The days will be action packed with motorbike trails, trike tours and hot springs, while the nights offer a sea of stars unfettered by light pollution. The views are so good that the island was recognized as the world’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary - you wouldn’t want to miss out!

Christchurch (CHC)

For the adrenaline seekers, Christchurch will impress and inspire as well. Godley Head is home to a spectacular hiking trail with a past - it once served as a coastal defence point in World War II. History buffs fascinated with Christchurch’s strategic significance will have much more than Godley Head’s views to ponder - a trip down to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand will shed more light into the region’s colonial past.

Ever wanted to try your hand at flying a helicopter? You can make this dream take off as well with Christchurch Helicopters, where an expert will guide you through the entire flight process from takeoff to landing.

Jeju (CJU)

Jeju is home to natural and man-made beauty, as travellers immediately discover whilst travelling along the colorful Yongnam-Iho Coastal Road. The island is home to some incredible natural wonders, both reaching for the skies like the Seongsan Ilchubong Peak, and snaking through the deep like the Manjanggul Lava Tube.

The island is also famous for its uniquely Korean delicacies - be sure to try out their locally-sourced catches, ranging from sea bream and abalone to sea urchins and cuttlefish. Their signature black pork also attracts gastronomes from all around the world, so don’t miss out!

Hangzhou (HGH)

The capital of China’s Zhejiang province, any mention of the city is usually followed with a recommendation to see the West Lake. Within this 6.5km expanse lies Xihu Shi Jing, which translates to the Ten Scenic Views of West Lake - take a trek to each piece of paradise, or hop on a boat and enjoy the views cruising through the city’s grand canals.

Here for the birds-eye views? Found amongst the ten views mentioned above, the Leifeng Pagoda offers a stunning vantage point of Hangzhou and the West Lake. The first Pagoda was over 1000 years old but collapsed in the 1920s. The one we see today was built in 2002, and a lift was thankfully included in the works, saving your legs for the walk down to the original Pagoda’s remains.

Haikou (HAK)

Another capital of an established Chinese province, Haikou is perched at the north coast of Hainan, with attractions characteristic of a blooming port city. Start the day off with a quaint stroll down Qilou Old Street, where the colonial architecture, traditional street traders, and contemporary cafes and markets fuse to make an enticing, intriguing experience. Continue the journey through Haikou’s history at Movie Town, where tourists can dress up in period costumes and act scenes out in 1940s movie sets.

Haikou’s natural landscapes, formed through volcanic activity thousands of years ago, are not to be missed as well - a long hike up Huoshankou National Geopark rewards the persistent with amazing views of the Hainan tropics, while the Hainan Crater Park displays the forested beauty that grows in the wake of volcanic destruction.

Kunming (KMG)

Our third Chinese feature in this month’s list (spoiler alert: it won’t be the last) brings us to Kunming, located in the south of Yunnan. Its cool weather in the winter is a strong tourist draw, and its price in November surely doesn’t hurt its lustre! The UNESCO-recognized Stone Forest is a renowned karst formation, formed from years of limestone and dolomite dissolution.

Nature’s artistry does not end here - wanderers will find themselves spellbound by Dongchuan Red Soil Land, a natural mosaic of red, green, white and gold. Natural iron oxide deposits and scattered farming activities in this region have put forth a landscape right out of a painting. Bring your camera, you can thank us later!

Nanjing (NKG)

We promised one more great city in China to book on a budget this month - Nanjing! Located further north of its more popular brother Shanghai, their close proximity makes it practical to visit both cities if you haven’t been to China. Don’t pass up on spending all your time here though, as there’s plenty to do in Nanjing!

One can expect to spend a full day sussing out Purple Mountain and its countless statues and walking trails. Usnisa Palace is both a religious stronghold and an architectural wonder, with wondrous sights in and around the mountain it sits on. End your days off at the Confucius Temple which houses an array of shopping and dining options, or imbibe and make merry at Nanjing 1912, the city’s neon-tinted club district.

The graphs above have been crafted based on bookings made in 2018 departing from Singapore, and travel trends will fluctuate year on year. It’s an uncommon trend for this many cities in one country to feature on our budget list, but take the opportunity to get creative - a week-long pilgrimage to the hidden gems of China, or perhaps a month-long spiritual exploration? No matter your time or choice or holiday, we’ve got your cheap flights ready - grab your tickets, bid a quick goodbye to your jealous colleagues and friends, and get jetting!