From Reykjavík to Boston, Baltimore to Toronto and beyond, here are some of the best times and reason to travel to these bucket-list cities.
With European flight prices remaining high this summer, Iceland’s leading low-cost airline, PLAY, provides suggestions on alternative destinations to visit on a budget. Whether it’s a trip to Toronto to catch an ice hockey match, or to Reykjavík to see the fledgling puffins leave their nests, PLAY provides travellers with a low-cost flight option, so they can spend less on flights and play more in destination.
Flying transatlantic with PLAY is the most affordable option on the market, with London to New York fares starting at just £281pp return, or Dublin to Toronto from only £217pp. As PLAY connects the UK and Ireland to North America through Iceland, this may just be the year to book a stopover and experience two bucket-list destinations in one trip.
Included below are PLAY’s five North American destinations, lead-in pricing, and key considerations which can make for the best time of year to go, as well as detail on its flights through Iceland.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada’s largest city is ideal for sports fans; visitors wanting to experience a real slice of Canadian life must catch a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game, or watch the Maple Leafs, to get a glimpse of Canada’s national sport: ice hockey. This year, travellers should time their trip for September, when the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) comes back for its 49th edition and perhaps catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrities.
Information:
Fly return to John C. Munroe Hamilton International Airport (YHM) from;
London Stansted STN: five-times weekly from just £223pp
Dublin Airport DUB: up to six-times weekly from just £217pp
Baltimore, Maryland
Perched on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, the city is best known for its local cuisine: seafood – especially crab – but travellers might not be aware that Baltimore’s food scene is considered within the top 10 in the US.
Local restaurants have received recognition from Food & Wine, Zagat, Open Table and more, and multiple city chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards. Baltimore’s food scene provides international flavours, historic public markets and food halls, and local breweries. Try local legend, Charleston, in Harbor East, or renowned local taqueria, Clavel.
Information:
Fly return to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) from;
London Stansted STN: seven-times weekly from just £289pp
Dublin Airport DUB: up to six-times weekly from just £214pp
New York, New York
New York, the ‘Big Apple’ – a city with an action-packed calendar, from St. Patrick’s Day events in March, to the Pride Parade in June, there’s even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. This year, the T20 Cricket World Cup will be held in the US and Caribbean throughout June and July. New York’s 34,000 seat Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is set to host the USA v. India game on 12 June, as well as the high-profile fixture between India and Pakistan on 9 June.
Information:
Fly return to New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) from;
London Stansted STN: seven-times weekly from just £281pp
Dublin Airport DUB: up to six-times weekly from just £230pp
Washington D.C.
With national monuments like the White House and the Lincoln Memorial for history-buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike to revel in splendour, the US Capitol has more than just pretty buildings. The city is great year-round, though with 2024 being an election year, perhaps avoid the month of November! Instead, try the springtime, and go for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, where you can experience the colourful parade on 13 April.
Information:
Fly return to Washington Dulles International Airport (IADI) from;
London Stansted STN: seven-times weekly from just £287pp
Dublin Airport DUB: up to six-times weekly from just £209pp
Boston, Massachusetts
This city has a reputation as being one of the most sports and beer mad cities in America, with the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots both based in the city, and a thriving microbrewery scene. With flights from Dublin, there may be no better trip combination than that of Boston’s night-life and history.
For history buffs, consider adding the Irish Heritage Trail to the itinerary. The trail guides visitors through celebrated Irish-American sculptors, poets, veterans, and politicians – such as John F. Kennedy and James Michael Curley. Alternatively, the ‘Freedom Trail’ is a self-guided, four kilometre walk throughout the city, where travellers can visit the many notable monuments and buildings, like the Massachusetts State House.
Information:
Fly return to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) from;
London Stansted STN: six-times weekly from just £320pp
Dublin Airport DUB: up to five-times weekly from just £206pp
Reykjavík, Iceland
Want to catch a glimpse of the Midnight Sun? Consider exploring Iceland during the summer months, where the sun never sets. Travellers could time their trip with Reykjavík Pride, the country’s largest annual event, which takes place 6-11 August.
Information:
Fly return to Reykjavik-Keflavik International Airport (KEF) from;
London Stansted STN: seven-times weekly from just £87pp
Dublin Airport DUB: six-times weekly from just £139pp
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Hannah Carlisle | Chloe Hernandez | Braden Cantalope
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About PLAY:
PLAY is a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, and North America as of 2023. Founded in Reykjavik in 2019 by a management team with significant experience in the aviation industry, the company operates flights on new Airbus A321NEO and A320NEO aircraft, offering streamlined, no-frills service that allows travellers to pay less and “play more.” Safety comes first for PLAY. On-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low prices are the airline’s core principles.
The airline seeks to enable passengers to see the world, but not without considering its environmental impact. PLAY is being developed with sustainability initiatives and benchmarks in place to track and reduce fuel consumption, offset carbon emissions, and limit waste. Learn more or book a flight at www.flyplay.com.
