We have traveled quite a lot over the years and learned a few tricks along the way. One thing we always try to do is be out in good time when we are looking for tickets for cheap flights. Our experience is that prices are usually lower the earlier you book. Sure, they can go up and down a bit, but generally speaking, it gets more expensive the closer you get to the departure date.
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Airlines are smart and use different strategies to get us to buy tickets quickly. You often see messages like “only 2 tickets left at this price!”. It can create stress and make you click “book” right away. But don’t be fooled! Often the price is only raised marginally, and suddenly a new message pops up about “5 seats left at this price”. So be out in good time, but don’t rush into a purchase if you are not completely sure about the trip.
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We always use comparison sites like Momondo and Skyscanner to get an overview of prices for cheap flights. But when it’s time to book, we always do it directly through the airline’s website. This is important because it is the airline that is responsible if something goes wrong. For example, if you miss a connecting flight due to a delay, it is easier to get help and compensation if you have booked directly with the airline.
Speaking of delays… we have experienced being significantly delayed ourselves once. We missed our connecting flight and arrived home almost 10 hours later than planned. Luckily, we were aware of the EU rules on compensation for flight delays. We submitted an application and after a few months we actually got 1200 euros back!
One last little tip that has worked for us many times is to ask for extra legroom at check-in. It often costs extra to choose such seats in advance, but if there are seats available at check-in, the staff is usually kind and fixes it at no extra cost. It is worth trying!
Now that we have shared our own experiences, here are some more general tips for finding the best flight for your adventure:
“Flexibility is key: Be flexible with dates and destinations to find the best prices“
Use the right tools:
- Flight search engines: Compare prices on different sites like Momondo, Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak.
- Use the companies’ apps and set notifications for the flight you are looking at, it will tell you when the price goes up or down.
- Low-cost airlines: Check airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet for cheap flights options within Europe.
- We list tips on other cheap airlines around the world further down.
- Subscribe to newsletters: Get notifications about sales and special offers.
Best time to book cheap flights:
- Generally: Start looking for flight tickets 6-8 weeks before departure for domestic flights and 2-8 months before departure for international flights.
- Low-cost flights: Can sometimes be cheaper to book closer to departure, but it is riskier as prices can fluctuate a lot.
- Flexible dates: If you are flexible with your travel dates, you have a greater chance of finding cheaper tickets.
- Campaigns and sales: Keep an eye out for airlines’ campaigns and sales, which often appear during the low season.
Think outside the box:
- Fly to smaller airports: It is often cheaper to fly to smaller airports outside the big cities.
- Consider stopovers: Can save money, but takes longer. We usually go for this if it is during a good time of day and enough time so that we can go into the city where we are stopping over, then you get to see a new city and also at a cheaper ticket price.
- Book flights and hotels separately: Sometimes cheaper than package tours. We usually do this but it requires that you spend a little more time.
Be aware of hidden fees:
- Baggage: Check what is included in the ticket price. Many airlines have started charging for hand luggage now and charge extra for this at a later stage.
- Seats: It may cost extra to choose a specific seat. As mentioned earlier, ask for better seats at check-in to avoid paying extra.
- Payment method: Some cards have fees, make sure you pay in your local currency so that the bank does not charge an extra fee for the exchange rate.
Best time to travel:
- Low season: Travel during the spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November) to avoid high season prices and tourist crowds.
- Shoulder season: The periods between high and low season (e.g. April-May and September-October) can offer a good combination of good weather and lower prices.
- Avoid school holidays and public holidays: Prices are often higher during these periods.
- Consider the weather: Choose a time that suits your preferences and the type of trip you want to make.
Here are some examples:
- Europe:
- Best time to book: May-June and September-October.
- Best time to travel: April-May and September-October (shoulder season) or during the winter for ski trips.
- Asia:
- Best time to book: March-April and September-October.
- Best time to travel: Varies depending on the country and climate. Avoid the monsoon season.
- North America:
- Best time to book: May-June and September-October.
- Best time to travel: Varies depending on the region. Avoid the summer months for big cities like New York and Los Angeles as it can be very hot.
Cheap airlines for different continents:
- Europe:
- Asia:
- Africa:
- North America:
- Southwest Airlines: Large network within the USA.
- Frontier Airlines: Known for its really low prices, but many extras.
- Spirit Airlines: Similar to Frontier, cheap but with extra charges.
- Allegiant Air: Focus on smaller cities and holiday resorts.
- South America:
- Sky Airline: Chilean low-cost airline with routes in South America.
- Viva Air: Colombian low-cost airline with a growing network.
- JetSMART: Flies to several destinations in South America.
- Azul: Brazilian low-cost airline.
- Oceania:
- Jetstar: Already mentioned, but worth repeating for travel within Australia and to New Zealand.
- Virgin Australia: Also has low-cost options.
Remember that:
- Quality and service vary: Low-cost airlines prioritize low prices, which can mean less comfort and service.
- Baggage rules: Be sure to check the baggage rules, as they are often strict and extra charges apply.
- Extras: Many low-cost airlines charge extra for everything from seat selection to food and drinks on board.
To wrap things up
We hope these tips have inspired you to start planning your next adventure! Remember, finding affordable flights is totally doable with a bit of research, flexibility, and the right tools. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try different approaches.
Most importantly, don’t let the search for the perfect flight overshadow the excitement of the journey itself. Traveling is all about exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and creating unforgettable memories. So go out there, book that flight, and embrace the adventure! ✈️🌎
If you are planing at trip soon, check out our travel itineraries here
Omio is a great website that gathers all types of transportation tickets and allows you to compare to get the best and cheapest ticket:
- eSIM Plans for Travelers:
For easy and fast connectivity for your devices, we recommend an eSIM from iRoamly
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