Essential Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights
Traveling doesn't have to be expensive. There are different ways you can book your dream vacation and follow a budget. Thankfully, booking an affordable flight is possible. Keep reading if you want to learn how to find cheap flights for your next trip.
6 Tips for Finding Affordable Flights
1. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
It's not always possible, but being flexible with the dates you fly can save a lot of money. When searching for flights online, select "flexible date options" wherever possible. You'll see different dates and prices for both departure and return dates. Sometimes, leaving on a Monday instead of a Saturday can save you hundreds of dollars!
2. Consider Smaller Airports
If it’s possible to fly from an airport that is not necessarily the closest to you, you may find that you save quite a lot of money on the flight itself. Smaller airports in smaller cities are often overlooked, but many offer international flights. Take a look for both departures and returns, and see what's realistic. It's important to also consider how much it will cost to travel to a different airport, but the savings often outweigh the extra in mileage.
3. Browse Privately
Using incognito or private mode while looking for flights online can yield lower fares. Remember to clear your search history and cache as well, as prices can increase if websites know you're a repeat visitor. Some people say they don't notice a price difference, but others do, so it's always worth a shot!
4. Don't Book Last Minute
Sometimes this is unavoidable, but if you are planning a trip in advance try to book your flights as soon as you can. You are more likely to find a cheaper flight than if you wait until the last minute to book. We advise booking a flight as far in advance as possible to secure the lowest fares.
5. Use Flight Alerts
Setting up fare alerts for flights you are interested in is also a good way to find the best prices for flights. Certain airlines or travel sites offer desktop notifications for available flights in advance. Google's Flights Price Tracking also allows you to set up alerts via email notification for specific dates. This saves you from constantly checking online for the lowest fares when you’re planning your trip.
6. Sign Up for Newsletters
Once you’ve done a bit of research on various sites, sign up for airline newsletters. Airlines often offer promo codes and flash sales that you can take advantage of.
6 Websites for Finding Cheap Flights
1. Skyscanner
When you use Skyscanner you can be assured of finding very competitive deals on cheap flights with budget airlines. It also gives the option of selecting flexible destinations.
2. Google Flights
With Google Flights you can find flights to anywhere in the world. You can also select multiple dates to find the cheapest options. Google Flights also offers alerts and price tracking.
3. Kayak
If you’d like to see comparative deals for cheap flights and various booking sites, then Kayak is a great site to visit. It will also give the option to select a “Price Forecast" and it has an “Explore" feature for more detailed searches.
4. Hopper
If you’re a keen app user and prefer to do everything on your phone, then Hopper is a good option for finding the most affordable flights. With the use of AI, Hopper predicts the best times to purchase your airline tickets.
5. Momondo
You may find that most sites show very similar results in terms of booking options. Momondo is known to find lower fares with some of the lesser-known sites and it’s user-friendly with a color-coded calendar, making it easy to see the days when flights are cheaper.
6. Check Specific Airline Websites
You may find that going directly to an airline's website is easier for finding affordable prices. However, be aware of cheap flights that do not include free baggage allowance. There are cases where the flights seem very cheap, but later you will need to pay a substantial amount to include your baggage or carry-on items. Always read the fine-print before booking!
It is always a good idea to visit more than one website to find the best deals. Planning a trip doesn’t have to be a stressful or painful process.