Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you’re heading off on a solo adventure, planning a family vacation, or traveling for business, flights can often be the biggest expense of your trip. But don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to find affordable airfare. In fact, with the right strategies, you can get cheap flights to virtually any destination around the world. Here are 14 tried-and-true tips that will help you score budget-friendly flights, no matter where you’re flying to.
1. Be a Sneaky Ninja: Clear Your Cookies and Browse Incognito
Have you ever noticed that flight prices tend to rise after you’ve been browsing for a while? It’s not your imagination—many airline websites use cookies to track your search history, and they may increase the prices of tickets if they see you’re interested in a particular flight. To avoid this, always search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser’s cookies. By doing this, the airline can’t track your browsing history and you’ll see the most current, unbiased prices.
If you’re unsure how to browse in incognito mode, simply open a new private browsing window on your web browser. This small but simple trick can often result in cheaper flights, especially if you’re booking a flight over a few days.
2. Flexible Flying Dates: The Secret to Big Savings
One of the most effective ways to find cheap flights is by being flexible with your travel dates. Airline ticket prices are highly dynamic and fluctuate depending on demand. Typically, flights are cheaper if you book them for mid-week days like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Weekends, especially Fridays and Sundays, tend to be pricier because that’s when more people are traveling for business or leisure.
When planning your trip, use flight search engines to compare how much prices vary on different days. For example, flying on a Tuesday could save you hundreds of dollars compared to flying on a Friday or Sunday.
3. Price Comparison Tools: Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Deal
It’s always a good idea to compare flight prices from multiple platforms. While websites like Google Flights, Momondo, and Skyscanner are some of the best flight comparison tools, they each have their own unique features and advantages. For example:
- Google Flights gives you direct access to airline prices and third-party travel sites.
- Momondo compares fares from international airlines and lesser-known budget carriers.
- Skyscanner lets you search for flights by flexible dates and offers price alerts.
Don’t just stick to one search engine. Try using a combination of these to get the best possible deal. It’s also worth checking individual airline websites directly, as sometimes they may offer special promotions or discounts that don’t appear on third-party sites.
4. Don’t Be Picky with Your Destination
If you’re looking for the cheapest flights, being flexible with your destination is crucial. Rather than focusing on one specific location, use flight search engines like Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature to see the cheapest flights available to various destinations. You might discover hidden gems you hadn’t considered before and save a lot of money in the process.
For example, instead of searching for a flight to New York City, try searching for the cheapest flights from your location to North America, and you may find great deals to nearby cities like Montreal, Boston, or even Toronto.
5. Know When to Fly: Timing is Key
Flying at the right time can make a huge difference in how much you pay for your flight. For example, booking months in advance for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving is a must to avoid skyrocketing fares. Airlines tend to increase their prices as the holiday season approaches, and if you wait until the last minute, you could end up paying double or triple the price.
On the other hand, booking flights for off-peak seasons can save you big. If you’re heading to Europe, for instance, try flying in the shoulder seasons (late spring or early autumn), as flights are usually much cheaper during these times. By planning your trip ahead of time, you’ll also get access to special early-bird deals that can make your travel budget go further.
6. Air Miles and Loyalty Programs: Use What You’ve Earned
If you’re a frequent flyer, you probably have a stash of air miles just waiting to be used. Don’t let those miles go to waste! Using frequent flyer miles or loyalty points can help you get cheap or even free flights. Even if you don’t fly with one particular airline regularly, many airlines are part of an alliance, allowing you to use your miles across various carriers.
Websites like UsingMiles are great tools to help you keep track of your air miles and see where you can use them. And don’t forget that credit card companies often offer bonus miles for signing up or making purchases—taking advantage of these promotions can boost your mileage account quickly.
7. Avoid Group Bookings: Smaller Groups Save More
Traveling in a group might sound like fun, but when it comes to booking cheap flights, it’s often harder to find affordable tickets for multiple people. Airlines usually offer discounts for group bookings, but the savings often aren’t significant enough to make it worth booking for a large party. Instead, try booking flights individually or for smaller groups to increase your chances of finding affordable fares.
If you’re planning a group trip, it may also be helpful to split your group into smaller sections when booking flights. This allows you to find seats on different flights that have better availability or more affordable pricing.
8. Timing is Everything: Book Early or Late
When is the best time to book a flight? The general rule of thumb is to book your flight at least 6-8 weeks in advance to get the best deals. However, if you’re looking for last-minute deals, you can sometimes snag great prices if you’re flexible with your departure dates and are willing to book within two weeks of your flight.
If you’re booking a last-minute flight, try flying on the actual holiday itself. For example, flights on Christmas Day are often cheaper than those leading up to the holiday. Similarly, booking flights for less popular times like early mornings or late nights can result in lower ticket prices.
9. Hidden City Fares: Save Big on Stopovers
A “hidden city” ticket involves booking a flight with a layover in your destination city, but not continuing on to the final stop. This can sometimes be cheaper than booking a direct flight. However, there are risks associated with this method, so it’s important to follow some key guidelines:
- Don’t check in luggage, as it will be sent to the final destination.
- Be prepared for the possibility that airlines may frown upon this practice and could penalize you for it.
Though this method can save you money, it’s not a long-term strategy if you plan to be a frequent flyer with an airline.
10. Choose Less Popular Destinations
If you’re flexible with your travel plans, consider flying to less popular destinations. Airfare to well-known cities like Paris, London, or Tokyo can be extremely expensive, while lesser-known cities tend to offer more affordable flights.
For example, instead of flying directly to Barcelona, consider flying into Valencia or Malaga in Spain, which are both less expensive and offer an authentic Spanish experience.
11. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Alerts
Airlines are constantly running sales, and one of the easiest ways to catch a deal is by signing up for their newsletters or following them on social media. Many airlines send exclusive offers to subscribers and provide last-minute deals, promotions, or flash sales. You can also set up price alerts through websites like Google Flights or Skyscanner to get notified when ticket prices drop for specific routes.
By keeping an eye on your inbox or social media feeds, you can be among the first to know about limited-time discounts and special offers.
12. Look for Budget Airlines
Budget airlines are often a goldmine for affordable flights. Carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Spirit Airlines, and AirAsia are known for offering incredibly low ticket prices. However, these airlines usually have fewer amenities, and you may need to pay extra for things like checked luggage, meals, or seat selection.
Before booking with a budget airline, it’s important to check their policies regarding baggage, fees, and services to avoid surprises. Despite the additional fees, these airlines can save you a lot of money, especially on short-haul flights.
13. Consider Layovers for Cheaper Flights
Direct flights are convenient, but they can be expensive. Consider booking a connecting flight with a layover, as they tend to be cheaper. Sometimes, adding a stopover in a city you weren’t planning to visit can significantly reduce your ticket price. Plus, you might get the chance to explore a new city along the way!
If you choose a layover, make sure it’s long enough to leave the airport and explore the city, but not so long that it becomes inconvenient. Also, ensure that your luggage is not checked through to the final destination if you plan to leave the airport.
14. Book Holiday Deals and Last-Minute Packages
When you’re booking a flight for a holiday or special occasion, consider package deals that combine flights and accommodations. These packages can often be cheaper than booking each component separately. Websites like Expedia and Priceline offer vacation bundles that allow you to save on both flights and hotels.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can also score last-minute deals. Apps like Last Minute Travel, Hotwire, and Get the Flight Out (GTFO) offer deeply discounted rates for travelers who are ready to book on short notice.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap flights takes a combination of flexibility, strategy, and a little patience. By using the tips above, you can save a significant amount of money on airfare, leaving more room in your budget for fun activities and memorable experiences during your trip. Remember, flexibility is your best friend—whether it’s being open to different travel dates, exploring new destinations, or using air miles, every little change can make a big difference to your bottom line.
So, next time you’re planning a trip, use these 14 tips to ensure that your flight doesn’t break the bank. Safe travels!
