Affordable Flights to Gulf Shores, AL, from St. Louis
Alabama’s Gulf Coast is the perfect place to enjoy stunning white-sand beaches, natural scenery and a wide array of activities for the whole family. With affordable prices on nonstop flights from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) via Allegiant Air, you can plan your next vacation to the Alabama Gulf on the cheap and experience all that Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan have to offer.
Good to Know
Airport: Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF)
Average Flight Time: 2 Hours
Book a Trip: allegiantair.com
How to find cheap flights to Gulf Shores
As you plan your trip to Gulf Shores from St. Louis, remember that flight prices can vary based on factors like demand and airline choice. Cheap flights and airfare deals may be hard to come by on some of the largest airlines. Allegiant, however, offers some of the best prices on Gulf Shores flights from BLV to GUF, especially when traveling during the busy summer season.
Plan a Beach-Bound Getaway on a Budget
Gulf Shores is a popular summer vacation spot, featuring plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. It’s the perfect time of year to take a swim in the Gulf, explore the natural scenery at Gulf State Park and take part in all the seasonal attractions the area has to offer. Traveling during this busy time of year may also mean higher flight prices, but you don’t have to worry about that when you book a nonstop flight out of BLV through Allegiant. If you are looking to save even more money, however, consider being flexible with your flight times and travel dates. The cheapest time to visit Gulf Shores is usually outside of holiday weekends. The cheapest month in the summer season to fly to Gulf Shores is in August. During these periods of less demand, you may find Allegiant’s already low prices drop even more!
Signing up for price alerts is also a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on the best flight prices. You’ll receive notifications when the airfare drops in price on the dates you selected.
One of the simplest ways to ensure the cheapest flight deals once you have your travel dates set and your vacation rental selected, is to book a round-trip flight. Airlines typically offer discounts when both legs of the trip are booked at the same time versus booking two one-way flights, and Allegiant is no exception. The airline offers exclusive flight deals to Gulf Shores that are not available when booking a one-way ticket. Booking round-trip flights saves time and effort in the ticket buying process and guarantees you get the cheapest round-trip tickets available.
Airports in Gulf Shores
There are several airports near Gulf Shores offering one-way and round-trip flights on the most popular airlines. Closest to the heart of Gulf Shores is Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF), making it the most convenient and cost-friendly arrival spot for the start of your beach vacation.
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) is one of only six major cities in the United States of America that offers direct flights into GUF. Vacationers can find cheap tickets from BLV to Gulf Shores and get there in two hours or less. There are no other nearby airports that are as convenient as Gulf Shoes International Airport.
Pensacola Intl Airport (PNS) in Pensacola, Florida, is about an hour drive from Gulf Shores, and Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), in Mobile, Ala., is about 1.5 hours away from Gulf Shores. These airports feature major airlines that include American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines from cities including Dallas (DFW), Atlanta (ATL) and New York (LGA).
Travelers into these airports should take into consideration the additional costs of car rentals or ride shares to and from the airport due to their increased distance from Gulf Shores. PNS is around an hour drive from Gulf Shores and MOB is about two hours away from the beach.
When to book airfare
Often referred to as the “Goldilocks Window,” the best time to book domestic plane tickets is one to three months before departure. And don’t wait too long to buy your tickets when you see a flight deal as ticket prices fluctuate. If possible, try to avoid booking your flight less than a month before your departure date. Last-minute flights in the days leading up to departure tend to spike dramatically.
Save Time and Money Flying
With an average flight time of just two hours, flying into Gulf Shores can save time and money when compared to driving. A typical car trip from St. Louis can take 11-12 hours, depending on how many stops are taken and how much traffic is encountered. Driving can eat up one whole day of vacation when factoring in the return drive to St. Louis. Flying into Gulf Shores International Airport gives back valuable time you could spend vacationing, while also helping you saving money on gas and car maintenance.
Check in Online
One thing to keep in mind – Allegiant does charge a small fee for printing a boarding pass at the airport. An easy way to save some time and money is to check in online. Allegiant offers free check in through its mobile app and online services. Check in opens online 24 hours before the flight and is available until 45 minutes before departure. This option allows you to receive your seat information and access your boarding pass all online for free. Travelers can also choose their seat assignments in advance or have Allegiant assign seats to them at check in. The ability to upgrade to Allegiant Extra, the airline’s “first class” option that offers increased leg room, a complimentary beverage, snack and other perks, is offered on most Allegiant flights, for a nominal fee.
Compare Car Rental Services
If you plan on renting a vehicle when traveling to Gulf Shores, know that not all car rental services are created equal. Like booking plane tickets months in advance, reserving your rental car in the same fashion can help save money as prices will be more expensive closer to your travel dates.
Traveling to Gulf Shores has never been easier or more affordable with nonstop flights from BLV. Book your trip today and save money on your next vacation!
