8 U.S. Cities That Trick Floridians Into Thinking They’re Booking Overseas

Online booking sites make buying flight tickets a breeze. But a single click on the wrong airport code can throw your entire trip into chaos.

Unsuspecting Florida travelers have found out the hard way that not every “San Jose” or “Sydney” leads to the beach getaway they imagined.

Don’t get duped like so many others. These cities have fooled travelers into thinking they scored a cheap international flight, only to remain in the U.S.

Paris, Texas vs. Paris, France

Everyone dreams of sipping coffee at a Parisian café, walking under the Eiffel Tower, and enjoying pastries that taste like heaven. But if you’re not careful, you might end up in Paris, Texas, instead of Paris, France.

While Paris, Texas, has its own quirky charm (including a miniature Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on top), it’s definitely not the romantic getaway most people have in mind.

The confusion usually starts when people look for “cheap flights to Paris.” A quick glance at “Paris (PRX)” can easily trick someone into thinking they’ve found a bargain.

The difference between PRX and CDG (Charles de Gaulle in France) is massive, not just in price but in location.

Paris, Texas, is a small town with friendly folks and BBQ joints, but you won’t find the Louvre or the Seine River there.

The solution is simple—always include the country name in your flight search. If you see “Paris, Texas,” ask yourself if you want your romantic getaway plans to involve cowboy boots instead of croissants.

San Jose, California vs. San José, Costa Rica

When someone says they’re flying to San Jose, you have to clarify which one they mean. There’s San Jose, California, home to Silicon Valley and tech giants, and then there’s San José, Costa Rica, the vibrant capital of a Central American paradise.

Unfortunately, some travelers discover their mistake at the airport when they’re not asked for their passport or, worse, when they’re trying to find their hotel.

The confusion happens because of airport codes.

San José, Costa Rica, uses SJO, while San Jose, California, uses SJC. If you’re booking on a small screen or in a rush, it’s easy to click the wrong one.

By the time you realize you’re landing in sunny California instead of lush Costa Rica, your rainforest excursion is long gone.

The good news is both cities are worth a visit… but probably not when your hotel reservation and rental car are waiting 3,000 miles away.

Imagine packing hiking boots and insect repellent only to step off the plane and find yourself surrounded by tech workers and corporate campuses.

Not exactly the jungle adventure you had planned!

Sidney, Montana vs. Sydney, Australia

Yes, you read that right. There’s a Sidney in Montana.

And while it’s a nice little American town, it’s not exactly the trip of a lifetime people envision when they say they’re “heading to Sydney.”

Some travelers have booked flights to Sidney, Montana, thinking they were bound for Australia. It’s not until they’re standing at baggage claim in a tiny Midwestern airport that they realize something has gone terribly wrong.

Sidney, Montana (airport code “SDY”), is small enough that people might assume they’ll have to take a connecting flight. By the time they realize they’ve booked the wrong destination entirely, the damage is done.

Imagine explaining to your friends that you spent your “Australia vacation” eating diner food in Montana because of a typo.

Sure, you can still see some wildlife—mostly deer—but no kangaroos.

To avoid this nightmare, always check the spelling. Sydney (SYD) is in Australia. Sidney (SDY) is in Montana. That letter swap makes all the difference.

Panama City, Florida vs. Panama City, Panama

When someone says they’re going to Panama City, you might not know if they mean the Florida beach town or the capital of Panama in Central America.

Both are popular vacation spots, but the experiences couldn’t be more different.

Panama City, Florida, is known for spring break crowds, sandy beaches, and laid-back American charm. Panama City, Panama, is a bustling hub with skyscrapers, the Panama Canal, and a whole different language and culture.

Travelers expecting one sometimes end up in the other because of the name confusion.

The airport codes—ECP for Florida and PTY for Panama—look nothing alike. But people don’t always pay attention to that part.

A simple “Panama City” search on a booking site can lead to a terrible mix-up if you’re not careful.

If you’re booking a trip to Panama, double-check the country listed. Otherwise, you might end up with a very different vacation than you planned.

Athens, Georgia vs. Athens, Greece

Athens, Greece, is an ancient city full of history, mythology, and stunning architecture. Athens, Georgia, on the other hand, is a lively college town with great music and southern charm.

Both are worth visiting, but they’re worlds apart in terms of experience.

Some travelers who weren’t paying attention have booked flights thinking they were going to the land of the Acropolis, only to find themselves in a land of football and fried chicken. While Athens, Georgia, is fun in its own way, it’s not the Mediterranean vacation most people dream about.

The airport codes don’t help much either.

ATH is Athens, Greece, while nearby Atlanta (ATL) can cause extra confusion if people aren’t reading carefully.

This happens a lot with cheap flight deals. People think they’ve found a steal to Greece, but the fine print shows a short domestic flight instead.

Always double-check the code “ATH” and ensure you see the country name “Greece” before confirming.

If your itinerary mentions connecting through Atlanta, make sure it’s just a layover and not the final destination. Otherwise, your Greek vacation might turn into a tailgate party.

Venice, Florida vs. Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy, is famous for its canals, gondolas, and romantic charm. Venice, Florida, is a pleasant beach town with a few canals of its own… but no one’s singing opera while steering you through them.

The problem arises when travelers type “Venice” into a search bar without specifying the country.

Booking sites sometimes display Venice, Florida, first because it’s cheaper and closer. It’s easy to click the wrong one if you’re not careful.

Some unlucky travelers have packed for Italy—complete with guidebooks, Euros, and a full itinerary—only to find themselves standing on a Florida beach wondering what happened.

Sure, it’s sunny, but it’s not exactly the Italian Riviera.

If your dream trip involves sipping wine by the Grand Canal, you need to confirm that “VCE” (Venice Marco Polo Airport) is your arrival point.

Dublin, Ohio vs. Dublin, Ireland

When most people think of Dublin, they picture cozy pubs, live music, and the rolling green hills of Ireland. Dublin, Ohio, is a small, friendly town near Columbus.

It’s nice, but it’s not exactly Guinness and shamrocks.

This name confusion has led to some travelers landing in the Midwest instead of on the Emerald Isle. One quick mistake—selecting “Dublin, OH” instead of “Dublin, IE”—can ruin an entire trip before it even starts.

Dublin, Ohio, is proud of its name and even celebrates Irish heritage with festivals, but you won’t find historic castles or cobblestone streets.

Travelers who accidentally book flights there often realize something is off when they see farmland instead of cliffs along the Atlantic.

The airport codes are a big clue: DUB is Dublin, Ireland. If your itinerary says CMH (Columbus), you’re in the wrong place.

If you’re heading to Ireland, triple-check your confirmation email. Otherwise, you might spend your trip eating Midwestern comfort food instead of Irish stew.

Rome, Georgia vs. Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy, is famous for its history, its architecture, and, of course, its food.

But there’s another Rome, and it’s much closer to home—Rome, Georgia. While it’s a charming southern town, it doesn’t exactly have the Colosseum or the Vatican.

Some travelers have been caught off guard when booking tickets to “Rome,” thinking they were off to Europe, only to find themselves in the middle of Georgia.

It’s an honest but heartbreaking mistake.

The confusion usually arises when people are looking for cheap flights. They type “Rome” into a search engine and see a low fare, click it, and only realize the mistake when their confirmation email says ATL (Atlanta) instead of FCO (Rome, Italy).

Rome, Georgia, has its charm. It’s got good southern food, friendly locals, and a few historic buildings.