How to Book Cheap Flights - Our Best Tips
The content on this page includes affiliate links. While clicking on these links won't cost you anything extra, we may earn a modest commission from any purchases.
Airfares can fluctuate significantly. We compiled 11 actionable strategies to help you cut travel costs. While these suggestions aren't miraculous, they offer straightforward measures to secure lower-cost flights. Dive into our guide to potentially reduce expenses on your upcoming trip.
Covered in the Article
- Securing Budget-Friendly Airfare
- Proven Strategies for Economical Air Travel
- Travel During Off-Peak Season
- Choose Economical Travel Destinations
- Maintain Date Flexibility
- Opt for Budget Airlines
- Adopt a Light Travel Style
- Early Reservations Can Lead to Savings
- Leverage Third-Party Booking Platforms
- Self-Arrange Connecting Flights
- Utilise Vouchers for Payment
- Be on the Lookout for Error and Promotional Fares
- Fly for Free
- Browse in Stealth Mode
- Flight Price Comparison Websites
- Bottom Line
Securing Budget-Friendly Airfare
Cost-effective journeys are within reach. Airline tickets often constitute a major part of the travel budget, and by opting for more economical flights, you can significantly reduce your overall travel expenses. While there are no guaranteed methods for finding the lowest-priced flights, certain strategies can greatly improve your odds of securing an affordable fare for your next journey.
Proven Strategies for Economical Air Travel
Our geographical position in Helsinki, encircled by the sea, makes flying the most straightforward option for leaving our base. Over time, we have accumulated knowledge on scouting for excellent flight deals and are eager to share these insights with our readers.
We introduce 11 tips for cheaper travelling.
Travel During Off-Peak Season
Whenever feasible, choosing to travel outside peak seasons can result in notable savings, as airlines and accommodations often lower their prices. Plus, the travel experience is typically more pleasant with fewer tourists around.
For Europe, the summertime is the high season, with July and August seeing the highest travel costs due to European holiday schedules. Conversely, winter is a costly season for long-distance trips. The optimal times to explore Europe are spring and fall when the weather is favourable and prices are more reasonable. Fall is perhaps the best because Europe tends still to be warm.
Traveling during non-holiday periods may not always be possible, particularly for families with work and school commitments. Luckily, there are additional cost-saving strategies at your disposal.
Choose Economical Travel Destinations
Certain destinations offer more affordable flight options. For instance, flights from Helsinki to places like London, Budapest, or Berlin are consistently reasonably priced, likely due to a surplus of seats over demand.
One effective method for identifying the most budget-friendly destinations is to utilize Skyscanner. Enter your departure city and select Explore anywhere for your destination. Skyscanner then provides a visual representation pinpointing the most economical travel destinations.
Maintain Date Flexibility
Fridays and Sundays often come with higher airfare costs, catering to business professionals returning from work and leisure travellers embarking on weekend excursions. Consider starting your weekend journey on Thursday and wrapping up on Monday to save on costs potentially.
Skyscanner's flexible search option is an invaluable tool for discovering the least expensive travel dates, providing a straightforward comparison view for flight prices near your intended travel time. You do not need to select exact travel dates, but you can look for the cheapest month. Finally, you can see the prices for different days when the month has been chosen.
Exceptions do occur. At times, Friday or Sunday travel can be cost-friendly. Utilize Momondo to pinpoint the most economical rates for your specific travel plans.
Opt for Budget Airlines
While many prefer the amenities of premier airlines, choosing budget-friendly carriers means opening your wallet less. Airlines such as Ryanair, Wizzair, Easyjet, and Norwegian can transport you rapidly to your desired location, just like their more expensive counterparts. The on-board service might not be as high-end, but the financial savings can be substantial. In the end, there is not much difference between European low-cost and legacy airlines.
Be cautious of the hidden fees. Budget airlines often market themselves as more affordable than they are. When comparing total costs, It's important to account for all potential expenses, including additional services and transfers to more remote airports.
We regularly opt for budget airlines, which remain cost-effective if you resist purchasing non-essential add-ons. If those extras are important, you might find better value in sticking with traditional carriers.
Adopt a Light Travel Style
Adopting a light travel style is not only more economical but also a more environmentally friendly approach to flying. For brief trips, there's no necessity for cumbersome baggage. A modest backpack or carry-on will suffice, steering clear of the airlines' hefty luggage fees and the burden of carrying heavy bags.
Complimentary food and drinks are not typically provided on budget flights. Bringing your snacks is allowed, and you can carry a refillable water bottle, topping it up at the airport before boarding. There is one thing you should keep in mind: your alcoholic drinks can't be consumed in the cabin.
Early Reservations Can Lead to Savings
Booking your flight in advance is usually less costly than last-minute reservations, although there are always outliers. Monitor fare trends weeks ahead of booking to ensure a good deal.
Flights booked during the week before departure are typically priced at a premium, so securing your tickets at least a month or two in advance is wise.
Skyscanner's price alert feature simplifies the process of tracking fare changes, making it easier to get a good deal. You will get a notification when the price changes. You need to log in to Skyscanner to know your email address.
Leverage Third-Party Booking Platforms
Using third-party booking sites divides opinions, but we find them valuable. Often, they offer tickets at lower rates than the airlines directly. Just ensure that you don't purchase additional services and that your travel plans are firm, as dealing with customer service issues can be more complex with these sites.
We suggest considering third-party booking platforms but remain mindful that addressing any issues may be more intricate. You can find the most competitive third-party booking sites efficiently through Skyscanner.
Self-Arrange Connecting Flights
Sometimes, booking separate tickets for connecting flights can be more cost-effective. This is worth trying when no other reasonably priced direct options exist. For example, if you're travelling from Helsinki to Ponta Delgada, consider first booking a flight to Lisbon and then making a separate reservation to Ponta Delgada. Self-arranging flights can be time-consuming but rewarding in terms of savings.
Remember, airlines do not guarantee connections when you book flights separately, so ensure a generous layover between flights. We also advise taking out travel insurance to cover any additional costs arising from missed connections. Obtain instant quotes from a dedicated travel insurance provider such as SafetyWing.
Utilise Vouchers for Payment
On occasion, airlines offer vouchers as compensation for cancelled flights. These vouchers often exceed the value of a cash refund. If you're certain you'll fly with the same airline in the future, accepting a voucher can be a sound choice.
Be on the Lookout for Error and Promotional Fares
Every so often, airlines mistakenly offer flights at low prices. While these may be errors, airlines typically honour these fares if booked promptly. Error fares disappear quickly, so immediate action is necessary.
For error fare alerts, websites like Secret Flying are invaluable. For regular promotions, Skyscanner is a reliable resource to find affordable tickets.
Fly for Free
The most economical flight option is not paying at all. Complimentary flying involves leveraging frequent flyer miles and reward points. Accumulating these miles requires time and isn't an immediate pathway to free travel.
Certain credit cards reward spending with miles. If you maintain your usual spending patterns, these credit cards can be a beneficial route to complimentary flights. For instance, we utilize the Bank Norwegian credit card, which accrues points redeemable for flights with Norwegian Air Shuttle.
Browse in Stealth Mode
Many guides on flight bookings suggest searching for fares in incognito mode. While its effectiveness is debatable, trying this widely endorsed tip costs nothing.
Flight Price Comparison Websites
To maximize savings, comparing flight prices is crucial. The internet hosts numerous flight comparison platforms, each varying in quality. Superior sites provide extensive data access, rapid processing, and user-friendly interfaces.
Skyscanner stands out as a major comparison engine with a trustworthy reputation. While tools like Momondo are valuable, Skyscanner is a solid starting point.
Occasionally, comparison tools might miss fares from smaller, local airlines. If your travel plans include domestic flights with such airlines, verifying prices directly on the airline's official website is advisable.
Understanding Flight Comparison Website Mechanics
Grasping how flight comparison websites function is essential.
These platforms act as meta-search engines, collating and comparing prices from various online travel agencies without selling tickets directly. Upon selecting a flight, customers are redirected to the travel agency's site for booking, with the comparison site typically earning a commission from the referral.
Be aware that the prices listed on comparison sites may not always be current, as fares fluctuate and the site's data caches may not be instantly updated. On rare occasions, the advertised price might not be available when booking.
These tools are most effective for popular routes; less common destinations might not yield all the best options.
Common Questions
- How to find cheap flights?
- Keeping an open, adaptable mindset is key to uncovering inexpensive flights. Utilize comparison engines, remain flexible, and select the most cost-effective airline or connection.
- Is Skyscanner trustworthy?
- It is. Skyscanner excels at discovering attractive fares, but bookings are made through external sites. Sometimes, price information on Skyscanner may lag behind real-time updates.
- When should I book a flight?
- Booking too early is better than too late. Generally, reserving a flight three months in advance is sufficient.
- Are online travel agencies reliable for bookings?
- Most are reliable. They prefer established online travel agencies and completing transactions with a credit card for added security.
- Which season is most budget-friendly for travel?
- In Europe, the seasons of autumn and spring offer more affordable travel opportunities.
- Is opting for budget airlines advisable?
- They are a practical choice, provided you manage expectations. Steer clear of extra charges, as they can be pricey.
- Can I travel without checked baggage?
- Absolutely - we typically travel without checked luggage to minimize expenses.
- What if I miss a connecting flight?
- If the connecting flight is booked under the same reservation, the airline is responsible for rebooking you to your final destination. Otherwise, you may need to cover the new costs yourself or seek compensation from your insurance.
- Where can I find error fares?
- SecretFlying.com is a reliable source for error fares.
- Do airlines honour error fares?
- They often do. If the booking isn't cancelled within a few weeks, it's likely to be upheld.
- Is it beneficial to use incognito mode when booking?
- While it's harmless, incognito mode may not offer significant benefits.
Bottom Line
Travel invariably involves expenditures, but savvy booking can lead to significant savings. A bit of effort is required to unearth these deals.
Despite the plethora of online booking resources, a few reliable tools are often sufficient. Personal preferences matter; whether Momondo or Skyscanner is your go-to, choose the platform that suits you best.
Do you have additional booking tips? Please share them in the comments section below!
Add Comment
Comments