Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, finding cheap flights can make a significant difference in your travel budget. Flight prices are dynamic, changing based on demand, time of booking, and even your search behavior. But with the right strategies and tools, you can secure great deals on flights and save hundreds of dollars. Here are the best travel hacks to help you find cheap flights and make the most of your journey.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
One of the most effective hacks for finding cheap flights is to remain flexible with your travel dates. Flight prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and even specific holidays or events in your destination city.
How It Works:
Use flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to explore prices across a range of dates. These platforms often have a calendar or graph feature that displays the cheapest days to fly within a specific timeframe. Prices are usually lower during the middle of the week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and for flights departing in the early morning or late at night.
Hack Tip:
If you’re flexible with both your departure and return dates, try using the “flexible dates” option on flight search engines. This feature shows you the lowest fares over a span of several days or weeks, making it easier to plan around the best deals.
2. Book Flights Early (But Not Too Early)
Booking flights early can often save you money, but there’s a sweet spot for getting the best deal. Airlines generally release tickets 11 months in advance, but prices tend to drop 2 to 3 months before departure for domestic flights and 5 to 6 months before international trips.
How It Works:
If you book too early, you might miss out on lower fares that are released later. However, waiting until the last minute often leads to higher prices due to limited availability. Flight search engines like Hopper and Skyscanner track price trends and provide advice on the best time to book, notifying you when prices are expected to rise or fall.
Hack Tip:
For popular destinations and peak travel times (e.g., holidays, summer vacations), it’s better to book earlier, around 6 to 8 months in advance, to secure lower fares. For less popular routes, use price tracking tools to monitor fluctuations and book during a price drop.
3. Set Price Alerts for Your Desired Destination
Price alerts are a game-changer when it comes to finding cheap flights. Instead of constantly checking for changes in flight prices, you can set up alerts through flight search engines like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner, and the app will notify you when prices drop or increase for your desired route.
How It Works:
Simply enter your preferred route and dates, and choose the option to “track prices.” You’ll receive email or app notifications whenever there’s a significant change in price, allowing you to book the best deal at the right time. Some apps, like Hopper, even predict future price movements, helping you decide whether to book now or wait for a better deal.
Hack Tip:
Set price alerts for multiple destinations or nearby airports to increase your chances of finding a bargain. Often, flying into a smaller or nearby airport and then taking a short train or bus ride to your final destination can result in significant savings.
4. Use Budget Airlines and Mix-and-Match Flights
Budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, Spirit Airlines, and Jetstar offer extremely low fares compared to full-service carriers. While these airlines often charge for extras like baggage and meals, they can still be a great option for saving money on short flights or if you’re willing to pack light.
How It Works:
Search for flights with budget airlines on aggregate sites like Momondo or Skyscanner, or directly on the airline’s website. Sometimes, combining flights from different budget airlines (also known as self-transfer or mix-and-match flights) can offer the best deal, even if it means you have to transfer through a non-partner airline or deal with multiple bookings.
Hack Tip:
Always read the fine print when booking with budget airlines, as they often have strict baggage policies and additional fees for extras. Compare the final cost, including fees, with full-service airlines to ensure you’re still getting the best deal.
5. Search for Flights in Incognito Mode
Airlines and booking websites often use cookies to track your search behavior, which can result in dynamic pricing. If a site notices you repeatedly searching for a particular route, it may increase the price in an attempt to pressure you into booking. To avoid this, always search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies before conducting your search.
How It Works:
In most browsers, you can open an incognito window by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac). Incognito mode prevents websites from tracking your search history and basing prices on your previous searches.
Hack Tip:
If you want to go a step further, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to change your browsing location. Some flights may be cheaper when booked from different countries, and a VPN allows you to simulate browsing from a different location.
6. Consider Nearby Airports or Alternate Destinations
Flying into a nearby airport can sometimes result in significant savings, especially for major hubs where demand is high. For example, if you’re flying to New York, you could compare prices between JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Similarly, for trips to London, compare flights into Heathrow, Gatwick, and London Stansted.
How It Works:
Most flight search engines have an option to include nearby airports in your search results. Once you’ve identified cheaper alternatives, weigh the costs of transportation between the alternate airport and your final destination. Sometimes, even with the additional cost of a train or bus ride, you can still come out ahead.
Hack Tip:
Consider flying into a nearby city and taking a low-cost regional flight or train to your destination. For example, if flights to Amsterdam are expensive, you could fly into Brussels and take a short, affordable train ride.
7. Use Points and Miles to Offset Flight Costs
If you’re a frequent traveler, accumulating airline miles or credit card points can help you significantly reduce the cost of flights, or even score free tickets. Many airlines have frequent flyer programs, while travel credit cards often offer rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases.
How It Works:
Sign up for an airline’s frequent flyer program, and whenever you fly with them or their partners, you’ll earn miles that can be redeemed for future flights. Alternatively, travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum offer points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for flights or transferred to frequent flyer programs.
Hack Tip:
Maximize your points by signing up for credit cards that offer significant welcome bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement. You can also look for promotional offers or special deals where airlines provide extra miles for specific routes or flights.
8. Book One-Way Tickets Separately
In some cases, booking two one-way flights separately can be cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket. Many budget airlines offer heavily discounted one-way fares, allowing you to mix and match carriers and find the cheapest possible combination for both legs of your trip.
How It Works:
Use flight search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner to search for one-way flights, or manually compare the cost of booking one-way flights versus a round-trip. Sometimes, booking the outbound and return legs with different airlines can result in lower overall costs.
Hack Tip:
Don’t forget to factor in any potential fees for checked baggage or other extras, as these can vary between airlines and may influence your decision to book a round-trip versus two separate one-way flights.
9. Take Advantage of Error Fares
Error fares occur when airlines or booking sites accidentally publish tickets at a fraction of the normal cost, often due to technical glitches or human errors. These “mistake fares” can offer huge discounts on flights, but they don’t last long, so you need to act quickly.
How It Works:
Websites like Secret Flying, Airfarewatchdog, and The Flight Deal specialize in finding and sharing error fares as soon as they pop up. You can also set up alerts with these services to be notified when a mistake fare is available for your chosen route.
Hack Tip:
If you book an error fare, wait at least 24 hours before making any other travel arrangements (like hotels or tours) to ensure the airline doesn’t cancel the ticket. While airlines are generally required to honor error fares, some may cancel the booking if it was clearly a mistake.
10. Fly During Shoulder Seasons for the Best Deals
Traveling during the shoulder season—the period just before or after peak travel times—can offer significant savings on flights. Shoulder season typically falls in spring and fall, when the weather is still pleasant, but crowds are smaller and flight prices are lower than during peak tourist seasons.
How It Works:
For example, flying to Europe in late September or early October often results in lower fares compared to the busy summer months. Similarly, flights to tropical destinations like Hawaii or the Caribbean tend to be cheaper in the spring (April-May) before the summer rush begins.
Hack Tip:
When planning a shoulder season trip, check for any major festivals, holidays, or events that could cause prices to spike unexpectedly. Research weather conditions during these times to ensure your trip won’t be affected by bad weather (e.g., hurricanes in the Caribbean).
Conclusion
Finding cheap flights in 2025 is easier than ever with the right tools and strategies. By staying flexible with your travel dates, using price alerts, considering alternate airports, and taking advantage of error fares and frequent flyer programs, you can significantly reduce the cost of air travel. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a long-haul adventure, these travel hacks will help you save money and make your flight booking experience stress-free.
FAQ
1. How far in advance should I book flights to get the best price?
For domestic flights, it’s typically best to book 2-3 months in advance. For international flights, aim to book 5-6 months ahead. Use price tracking tools to monitor price trends and book when prices drop.
2. Do flight prices go down at the last minute?
Last-minute deals are rare, and prices often increase as the departure date approaches due to limited availability. However, budget airlines or less popular routes may occasionally offer last-minute deals to fill seats.
3. What are the best websites for finding cheap flights?
Popular flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Hopper are great tools for finding cheap flights. You can also use websites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal to discover flash sales or error fares.
4. What are the cheapest days of the week to fly?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive. Use the flexible dates feature on flight search engines to compare prices across different days.
5. Should I book directly with airlines or through third-party sites?
While third-party booking sites may offer cheaper fares, booking directly with the airline is often safer in case of cancellations or schedule changes. However, if you find a significant discount on a reputable third-party site, it may be worth booking.
6. How do error fares work, and how can I find them?
Error fares occur when airlines accidentally publish flights at lower-than-usual prices. Websites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal track and share these fares. If you book one, wait at least 24 hours to ensure the fare is honored before making other travel plans.
