Easy Strategies for Finding Budget-Friendly Flights Every Time
For most trips, airfare is usually the largest expense. Although prices for transatlantic flights have decreased in recent years, they can still take a significant chunk out of any travel budget. Whether you’re a solo traveler on a budget or a family planning a vacation abroad, finding an affordable flight can be the key to making your trip happen.
If flights are too costly, it’s easy to delay or cancel plans altogether — I’ve seen it happen many times. Yet, airlines frequently offer incredible deals, from accidentally low fares to special promotions and competitive price cuts. These cheap tickets are available, and they can turn your dream trip into reality — if you know where to look (I always start my searches on Skyscanner).
Today, I’ll show you how to master the skill of finding cheap flights. These are the exact strategies I’ve used for over a decade to consistently get the best airfare. By following these tips, you’ll never be the one who paid the most for their flight!
Here’s how to find a cheap flight, no matter your destination:
Ignore the Myths
Oh, so you want to find a cheap flight? Well, brace yourself for the harsh truth: there is no magical hack, no secret ninja trick lurking in the shadows to save the day. I know, shocking, right? You’ve probably scrolled through dozens of websites full of “expert” advice, desperately searching for that golden tip that will unlock dirt-cheap airfare.
Guess what? It’s all a bunch of lies. Every. Single. One.
Those so-called “travel gurus” you’ve been reading? Yeah, they’re just recycling the same tired, outdated myths. Here are the biggest offenders that are absolutely not true:
• No, buying your ticket on a Tuesday (or any other magical day) does NOT make it cheaper. Please, just stop.
• Incognito mode? Nope, that won’t trick the airline gods into giving you a bargain.
• And let’s get one thing straight: there is NO magical window where you’ll find the cheapest fares. It’s a myth. It’s a fantasy. Move on.
You can’t outsmart airlines with these “tricks.” They’ve got supercomputers and algorithms doing Olympic-level gymnastics to calculate prices based on everything from demand to weather to what you had for breakfast. So stop believing in these outdated fairy tales. The system is too advanced. Let these myths go. Let them die.
And if anyone tells you otherwise? Well, they don’t have a clue.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times
Oh, so you want to save money on flights? Well, good luck if you’re planning to jet off during Christmas, New Year’s, or any other time the rest of the planet is flying. Of course, August is the time for European vacations, and don’t even think about traveling when the kids are out of school because, guess what? Everyone else is doing the same thing. Shocking, right?
If you insist on flying when the masses do, brace yourself for sky-high ticket prices. The solution? Well, obviously, fly when no one else does. Be the rebel who chooses to travel off-season — when the weather is just a little less perfect and the crowds are a little less Instagrammable.
Planning to visit Paris in the middle of August? Hah, dream on. Thinking of a sunny escape to Hawaii over Christmas? Sure, but only if you’re ready to fork out a small fortune. Instead, how about being a little flexible? Visit in the spring or fall when fewer people care about going there, and voilà, cheaper flights!
And oh, flying midweek or catching an early morning flight might be cheaper because, surprise, surprise, no one wants to wake up at the crack of dawn. But, hey, if you’re too rigid with your schedule, don’t come crying when you end up paying triple the price just for a weekend trip like everyone else.
Want to see the cheap dates in one click? Just use Skyscanner’s calendar view and bask in the glory of seeing how much less you could be paying if only you weren’t hell-bent on traveling during peak season. Airlines aren’t dumb; they know when all the fun stuff is happening and will raise those prices faster than you can say “sold out.”
So, do yourself a favor — be flexible, or prepare to pay big-time.
Be Flexible with Your Destinations
Oh, so you want a cheap flight but you’re dead set on going to one specific place at one specific time? Good luck with that! But hey, if you can’t budge on when you fly, maybe, just maybe, you can be flexible with where you fly. I know, it’s a wild concept—changing your dream destination just to save a few bucks. But apparently, that’s what it takes if you want to avoid draining your bank account for that ticket.
Lucky for you, airline search engines have done all the hard work. You don’t have to sit there typing city after city, day after day, like some kind of digital detective. No, no—just let Skyscanner or Google Flights do the thinking for you. Want to go anywhere that’s not your couch? Just type in “Everywhere” on Skyscanner or “Anywhere” on Google Flights, and voilà! A world of possibilities opens up. You might even discover a place you didn’t know existed—and doesn’t that sound super exciting?
The reality? There’s always a deal to somewhere. It might not be your dream spot, but hey, if you’re willing to throw darts at a map, you’ll snag a deal and pat yourself on the back for all that money you saved.
But, if you’re one of those people who’s got your heart set on a specific place at a specific time, well… get ready to pay up. Flexibility is key, my friend. Without it, you’re stuck with whatever price gets thrown your way. But if you can loosen up just a little, the world (and cheap airfare) is yours for the taking!
Fly Budget Carriers
Oh, the good old days, when flying across continents meant selling a kidney to afford those fancy traditional airlines. But fear not! Now you can jet around the globe on a budget airline for the low, low price of your dignity and comfort. Sure, you might have to sacrifice things like legroom, meals, and any semblance of personal space, but hey, at least your wallet won’t cry itself to sleep.
Budget airlines mostly stick to short and medium-haul routes, so you might not get that luxury long-haul flight you were dreaming of. (Thanks a lot, Norwegian Air, for ditching those routes during COVID.) But don’t worry, there’s a new lineup of budget-friendly options like PLAY, Norse Atlantic Airways, and French Bee swooping in to save the day—or at least part of it.
So, if you don’t mind flying like a sardine in a tin can, finding a cheap flight is still possible, even in this era of “higher prices.” Bon voyage… and don’t forget to bring your own snacks!
Here is a list of the most affordable airlines in the world:
North America
Flair Airlines
Swoop
Air Canada Rouge
Porter
Air Transat
Sunwing
WestJet
Southwest
Allegiant Air
Frontier
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
JetBlue
Asia
Air Asia
Jeju Air
Hong Kong Express
Scoot
Peach Air
Spice Jet
Spring Airlines
Nok Air
T’Way Airlines
Cebu Pacific
Lion Air
VietJet Air
IndiGo
Europe
Vueling
Ryanair
Easyjet
Eurowings
Norwegian Air
Wizz Air
Transavia
Pegasus
Turkish Airlines
flyDubai
Air Arabia
Oceania
Jetstar
Qantas Airways
Rex Airlines
Virgin Australia
QantasLink
Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti
Air Niugini
Flying budget airlines is a fantastic alternative to the big-name carriers—if you don’t mind trading comfort for a discount, that is. Sure, you get fewer perks, but hey, who needs luxuries like reclining seats or legroom when you can save a few bucks, right?
But here’s the catch: watch out for those sneaky fees. Oh, that’s how they get you! Budget airlines will charge you for everything—checked bags, carry-ons, printing your boarding pass (because why would you want a physical ticket, silly?), using a credit card, breathing too loudly… you get the idea. So before you pat yourself on the back for snagging a “cheap” fare, make sure you add up the ticket price and those delightful extras to see if you’re actually saving anything.
And don’t forget to check where this “budget” flight is actually landing. Surprise! It’s probably at an airport in the middle of nowhere, miles away from the city you thought you were flying to. And of course, getting there will cost you. Take Paris, for example. That charming little budget airport, Beauvais? Yeah, it’s going to cost you 17 EUR for a one-way shuttle to the city. Add that to your roundtrip costs, and suddenly your “cheap” flight isn’t looking so cheap anymore, is it?
But hey, at least you get the satisfaction of saying you flew budget!
Don’t Always Fly Direct
Oh, you thought being flexible with your dates and destinations was enough? Think again! Now you have to get creative with your route too, because why take the direct flight when you can zigzag your way around the globe to save a few bucks? For example, why fly straight to Amsterdam when you can hop over to London first, then grab a cheap budget flight? Who cares if it adds hours to your journey—your bank account will thank you, right?
I did precisely this when I was going to Tokyo. The flight from the Istanbul was $385 USD, but I could fly to Dubai for $215 and get a $80 flight to Tokyo. It meant more flying time, but the $90 USD I saved was worth it to me.
And don’t forget: this trick works for departures too. Maybe flying out of some obscure airport an hour away is cheaper—because who wouldn’t want to add a train or car ride to their already complex itinerary?
Pro tip: If you’re booking separate flights, make sure to give yourself at least a three-hour window between connections, because airlines just love leaving you stranded if your first flight runs late. That buffer time might even save you if you need to make an insurance claim. Yes, you’ll be cutting it close, but isn’t saving a few hundred bucks worth it?
Oh, and if your flight to or from Europe gets delayed, you could score an extra 600 EUR in compensation. Silver lining! But you’ll have to figure that one out too—because saving money is never as simple as it sounds, is it?
You can always match airlines
Oh, so you thought booking directly with an airline was the smart move, huh? Well, prepare to be amazed by the limitations of your “easy” booking. Sure, you get to fly with that airline and maybe one of its fancy partner airlines, but guess what? Your choices are basically handcuffed, and those dreams of saving big? Ha, good luck with that.
Now, if you’re really chasing those sweet savings (because who doesn’t want to jump through extra hoops for a few dollars off?), let’s get a little more creative. Forget booking a simple, convenient itinerary. No, no, the real magic happens when you book separate legs of your trip on different airlines. Flying from New York to Paris? Sure, you could book that as one simple ticket with a stop in London—but where’s the challenge in that?
Instead, why not book New York to London on one airline and then London to Paris on another? Yes, it’s more work. Yes, it’s a logistical headache. But hey, maybe you’ll save a few bucks and feel like a travel genius in the process. That’s what third-party sites like Kiwi.com do—they Frankenstein together flights from whatever random airlines they can find to give you the cheapest (and least convenient) trip possible.
So, if you’re scouring airline websites and not finding that rock-bottom price, why not try the old “separate segments” trick? Who knows—you might stumble upon a deal and a migraine all at once!
Search Ticket Prices for Individual Travelers
Oh, you’re traveling with friends or family and thought booking all your tickets together was the way to go? How adorable. Let me introduce you to how airlines really work. See, when you search for multiple tickets in one go, the airline doesn’t just give you a nice mix of prices. Oh no, they generously offer you the highest possible price for every seat in your group. Why? Because they know you’ll pay for it, that’s why!
Airlines have this clever little trick where they split tickets into different price tiers, or “fare buckets,” as they like to call them. And when you’re searching for a group, they’ll happily scoop up the priciest bucket and serve it to you on a silver platter. So, if you’re a family of four and seats A, B, and C are $200, $300, and $400, guess which price the airline is going to slap on all of them? Yep, you guessed it: $400 across the board. Because why let you save money when they can just charge you more for the same seats?
The solution? Forget about that whole “group booking” nonsense. Search for tickets as a solo traveler. Afterward, during checkout, you can pick your seats and maybe sit together, if that’s still important to you. And even if you end up scattered across the plane like a bad game of musical chairs, at least you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank with those few hundred bucks you saved. Priorities, right?
Look for Tickets in Other Currencies
Oh, so your currency is flexing its muscles on the global stage? Congrats! Time to play a little game of “find the cheapest flight” by exploiting weaker currencies. Why pay in your own country when you can shop around the world for a better deal, right? After all, if someone else’s economy is in shambles, might as well take advantage!
For example, back when the US dollar was on steroids and the Australian dollar was barely lifting weights, I found a one-way flight from Australia to NYC for $800 USD. But wait—when I switched over to the Australian version of the airline’s site, that exact same flight magically dropped to $500 USD. Same airline, same flight, same everything. But because I booked in a different currency, I got to feel like a genius. Is this ethically questionable? Maybe. But who’s counting?
This little trick doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s like hitting the jackpot. So, if your currency is on a winning streak, why not give it a shot? And don’t forget to whip out that no-foreign-transaction-fee card so you can save yourself from getting slapped with extra charges. Every penny counts when you’re gaming the system!
Book Early
Oh, so you thought booking super early or waiting until the last minute was a solid plan? Well, let me break it to you: airlines love playing with your emotions—and your wallet. Sure, fares rise the closer you get to departure, but there’s this elusive sweet spot when airlines either panic and drop prices or hike them up just for fun, depending on demand. It’s like a game, and you’re the player who doesn’t know the rules.
Here’s your cheat code: aim to book around 2-3 months before your trip. If you’re headed somewhere during peak season, stretch that out to five months. But don’t think of this as some hard-and-fast rule—it’s more like a vague guideline that airlines can totally ignore whenever they feel like it.
I could bore you with the science behind airline pricing models, but let’s keep it simple: airlines crank up prices close to departure because they know the only people booking last minute are business travelers with company credit cards who couldn’t care less about the price tag. So unless you’ve got a boss paying for your ticket, don’t be that last-minute person unless you enjoy watching your budget spiral out of control!
Ah, so you’re ready to enter the world of “hidden city fares”—the advanced, slightly risky game of trying to outsmart the airlines. If you’re determined to pinch every penny, this could be your new favorite trick. Here’s the idea: you book a flight with a layover in your actual destination, then casually step off the plane at the layover and disappear, leaving the rest of your itinerary in the dust.
For example, if you’re flying from Austin to Atlanta, it might be cheaper to book an Austin-to-New Orleans flight with a stop in Atlanta. Why pay for a direct flight when you can take a detour you don’t intend to finish? Genius, right? Well, not so fast.
This little maneuver comes with a few complications. First, once you skip a leg of your trip, the airline will gleefully cancel the rest of your itinerary. So no round-trip tickets here—because your return flight? Gone. Poof. And forget about checking bags, unless you want your luggage to enjoy a vacation without you, ending up in the final destination you didn’t even plan to visit.
Oh, and don’t think you can just waltz around doing this regularly. Airlines hate it, and while it’s technically legal, they’d rather you not flaunt it. Play this game too often, and you might just find yourself on their naughty list.
But hey, if you can pull it off, you can save hundreds of dollars, and websites like Skiplagged make it easy to search for hidden city flights. Just do it at your own risk, because airlines are not amused by your clever tricks.
At the end of the day, getting a cheap flight is all about flexibility and creativity. Sure, it takes a bit of effort, but the deals are out there—if you’re willing to play the game. Follow these tips, and don’t waste hours obsessing over it. If you’re spending more than an hour hunting for a flight, you’re going down the rabbit hole.
And when you finally stumble upon that perfect deal, don’t hesitate—book it right away. Airfares love to change when you blink. Just remember, you’ve got 24 hours to cancel if needed. Happy flight hunting!
