Booking an international flight can be one of the most expensive parts of traveling. However, with the right strategies, you can find affordable tickets and save a significant amount of money. In this guide, you’ll learn proven tips and tricks to get the best airfare deals.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flight prices fluctuate depending on the season, day of the week, and demand. Being flexible with your departure and return dates can help you find better deals.
✔️ Cheapest Days to Fly: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
✔️ Most Expensive Days to Fly: Friday and Sunday.
✔️ Avoid Peak Travel Seasons: Prices are higher during Christmas, New Year’s, and summer holidays.
2. Use Flight Comparison Websites
Instead of searching on airline websites, use flight aggregators to compare prices.
Best Websites to Find Cheap Flights:
✈️ Google Flights – Great for flexible date searches.
✈️ Skyscanner – Finds the cheapest months to fly.
✈️ Momondo – Compares prices from multiple sources.
✈️ Hopper – Predicts price trends and suggests when to book.
3. Book in Advance (But Not Too Early)
✔️ Best Time to Book:
- Domestic flights: 1 to 3 months before departure.
- International flights: 2 to 6 months in advance.
✔️ Avoid Last-Minute Bookings: Prices tend to rise closer to departure.
4. Use Incognito Mode When Searching for Flights
Websites track your searches and may increase prices based on demand. To avoid this:
✔️ Search for flights in incognito mode or private browsing mode.
✔️ Clear your cookies before searching again.
5. Consider Alternative Airports & Routes
Flying into a nearby city and taking a train or bus can sometimes save money.
✔️ Check for flights to secondary airports (e.g., flying into Milan instead of Rome).
✔️ Look for stopover deals that offer discounts.
6. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters & Alerts
Many airlines and travel agencies send exclusive deals to their subscribers.
✔️ Sign up for alerts from Airfarewatchdog, Scott’s Cheap Flights, and Secret Flying.
✔️ Follow airlines on social media for flash sales.
7. Use Frequent Flyer Miles & Travel Credit Cards
✔️ Earn points with airline loyalty programs.
✔️ Use travel credit cards that offer miles or cashback on purchases.
✔️ Look for sign-up bonuses on new travel credit cards.
8. Consider Budget Airlines
Low-cost airlines offer cheaper fares but may charge extra fees for luggage and meals.
✔️ Some budget-friendly airlines: Ryanair, EasyJet, AirAsia, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines.
✔️ Always check baggage fees before booking.
9. Book One-Way Tickets Instead of Round Trips
Sometimes, booking two separate one-way flights can be cheaper than a round-trip ticket.
✔️ Compare prices for multi-city tickets instead of round-trip options.
By following these tips, you can find affordable international flights and save more money for your trip!