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How many times have you found yourself searching the web for cheap flights to your dream destination, only to find that they are hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over your budget?
Traveling is an incredible experience, but it can also be very expensive! One of the biggest costs associated with travel is the price of airfare. However, there are ways to find cheap flights and save money on your next trip. From using Skyscanner to setting flight alerts, I’m sharing are my top 5 tips to help you find cheap flights.
1. Check nearby airports
When it comes to air travel, the airport you depart from and arrive at can have a huge impact on the price of your ticket! By expanding your search beyond just your nearest airport, you might be able to find better deals, or even more direct routes.
For example, if you live in a large metropolitan area, there may be several airports within a reasonable distance. Check the prices from all of these airports to see if there are any significant price differences. In some cases, it may be worth driving a little farther to depart from a smaller airport that offers cheaper flights.
If you’re on the road (traveling from place to place) and booking a one-way ticket, it’s also worth checking options from nearby airports. Once, when I was in Budapest, I took a bus to Vienna and then a flight to Tallinn instead of going directly from Budapest. By going just a little out of my way, I was able to save over $180!
2. Check multiple dates
As long as you don’t have exact days you need to (or want to) travel, you can save a lot of money by using the ‘flexible dates’ feature and seeing different options. I suggest checking flights before requesting off work, instead of after. By checking flights before requesting off work, you’ll know how much you can expect to spend on flights, and if you find a day that’s cheaper (some days can be cheaper by $100 or more!), you can change the days you’ll request off. If you don’t need to request off work, be open to multiple dates! Plan a month or two in advance, use the ‘flexible dates’ feature, and you’ll be able to save money.
Once, I flew from Helsinki to Singapore for $410, all by having flexible dates! The flight the day before was $670, and the day after was $830. Airlines adjust prices constantly, so be sure to be on the lookout and try to have flexible dates if you can!
3. Set up flight alerts
Flight alerts can be a really helpful tool in finding cheap flights! Most travel websites and apps offer a feature called ‘flight alerts’, where you can set up alerts for a specific route or itinerary, and the system will notify you when prices change. When prices change, you’ll get an email notifying you and allowing you to book your ticket without missing out on excellent deals for cheap flights!
4. Travel credit cards (with caution!)
While some people may recommend using credit cards for travel rewards, I would advise against it. Although it is a viable option to get cheap flights (or even free flights), it’s important to be very cautious when using this strategy. Unless you have a high monthly spend that allows you to earn significant rewards points or miles, using a credit card for travel may not be the most cost-effective option.
In fact, some credit cards may come with high annual fees or interest rates that can quickly offset any rewards earned. If you do decide to use a credit card for travel, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully and use it responsibly to avoid racking up debt.
5. Subscribe to an email list for cheap flights
Email lists for cheap flights are abundant – from domestic flights to international flights, you can sign up for free (and sometimes paid) email lists. My personal favorite is Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights)! With Going, you can set your departure airport and get a curated list of flights going from that airport to destinations around the world!
6. Bonus tip! Explore different destinations
When you use Google Flight’s Explore feature, you can choose a one-week trip, a month-long trip, or a one-way flight and explore destinations around the world. With the explore feature, you can glance through different destinations, dates, and prices easily. Using the explore feature, I found a flight from Chicago to Paris for just $300 – round trip!
On Skyscanner, you can choose ‘Anywhere’ as a destination, allowing you to browse through destinations, dates, and prices.
Book your next adventure without breaking the bank!
Finding cheap flights is all about being strategic and flexible! By checking nearby airports, being flexible with your travel dates, setting up flight alerts, and using the explore features, you can save money on airfare and make your travel dreams a reality. With a little bit of planning and patience, you can find great deals and explore the world, without breaking the bank.