Finding a cheap flight, at least a flight that doesn’t sting your bank account too much, is the holy grail of travel. Well, that and getting an airline upgrade. But for now we’re focusing on those aforementioned – affordable or even cheap – international flights. The next time you book one, follow our guide to find a flight you can feel good about in terms of cost.
Be flexible with dates and times
The more flexible you can be when it comes to the dates you’re flying, the more likely you are to find a cheaper international flight. Prices can vary quite a bit from one day to another, sometimes by hundreds of dollars, so it pays (literally) to have some leeway in the departure dates you’re searching. When it comes to when you’re willing to fly, embracing a red-eye flight or being willing to depart at a dreadful hour can also save you quite a bit of money.
Book early if you’re set on a destination
If you’re set on a destination and not still browsing possible vacation spots, booking early (as in several months in advance) can save you money on an international flight. Only do this if you’re set on a plan because changing flights can be costly. Generally, booking one to two months out will be cheaper than booking the same destination last minute. Last-minute bookings have their place, which we’ll get to, but not always.
Book last minute if you’re flexible
Not sure where you want to go but just that you want to go somewhere? If you have the flexibility to take off whenever you can get your suitcase packed and you’re not fussy on the actual destination, booking last minute can be a good way to get a cheaper fare. In these cases, search multiple international destinations and opt in for the cheapest flight. Also, consider packaged vacations (airfare plus resort/hotel), which are often offered at bargain prices for last-minute travellers in order to fill hotel rooms.
Think about two separate fares
Depending on where you’re going, sometimes it can be cost-effective to fly to a major city, like London, on one fare and then book a second fare to your city of choice on a low-cost carrier. For example, it might cost you more to fly directly to Milan, for example, than it would if you split up the fares. Low-cost carriers have their pros and cons, but if you’re travelling light and don’t mind missing out on some perks, using a budget airline for part of your journey has the potential to be cheaper.
Avoid peak travel times
In yet another plus for travel flexibility, if you can fly at off-peak times such as shoulder or low season, your chances of finding a cheaper flight are much better. For example, going to Europe in the fall is still a lovely time to visit, but most people want to go in the summer, meaning flights are going to be pricier. Search your desired destination and “low or shoulder season” to find out the best times to go when you won’t be dealing with crowds or inflated prices.
Sign up for airfare alerts
Prices fluctuate over time so if you know the dates you’re planning to travel it can be helpful to sign up for a price alert that will tell you when the cost goes up or down. That way if the prices falls to a level you’re happy with you can jump on it. These services are usually free and you can change the dates or unsubscribe at any time. Signing up for airline newsletters and following various airlines on social media can also alert you to deals, which can further help you save.
Be willing to deal with stopovers
More often than not, direct flights are going to cost more than a flight that lands you with a stopover or two. If you’re willing to deal with one or two stops, as frustrating as they can sometimes feel, then you can often save yourself hundreds of dollars on a flight. The money you save might make you feel better about the layovers. Just make sure your connection times are doable – you don’t want to miss any flights in your attempt to fly cheaper.
Search often and grab a good deal when you see it
Once you know where you want to go, search often. Play around with dates if you can. If you see a good deal, grab it. You never know if or when the price will jump up so if you’re set on the destination and see a cheap fare, it’s better to act fast.
Main image: istock.com/photoncatcher
