How to Score Cheap Flights: Insider Tips to Save Big on Airfare

 

 

How to Score Cheap Flights: Insider Tips to Save Big on Airfare

Dreaming of jetting off to your next destination without spending a fortune? You’re not alone. Learning how to score cheap flights is one of the most effective ways to travel more often, stretch your travel budget, and explore the world without financial stress. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or a first-time traveler, finding the best airfare deals is easier than ever—if you know where and how to look.

In this guide, we'll break down proven strategies, trusted flight search tools, and insider travel hacks to help you find the cheapest flights possible. Let’s dive into the smart ways you can save on your next flight and start traveling on a budget.

 

Why Finding Cheap Flights Matters for Budget Travelers

Traveling the world doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag—especially when airfare often makes up the largest portion of a travel budget. For budget-conscious travelers, scoring cheap flights means more destinations, longer stays, and more experiences without stretching your wallet.

Save More to Travel More

The less you spend on flights, the more you have to spend on things that truly enrich your travel experience—like local cuisine, attractions, and cultural activities. Budget travelers often aim to visit multiple destinations per year, and finding flight deals makes that goal realistic.

Unlock Spontaneous Adventures

Cheap airfare opens the door to last-minute getaways and spontaneous travel opportunities. Whether it's a flash sale, error fare, or off-season deal, having the ability to book affordable flights means you're more flexible and adventurous.

Stretch Every Dollar

When you're traveling on a shoestring budget, every dollar counts. Paying less for flights allows budget travelers to allocate funds toward accommodation upgrades, longer itineraries, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences like hot-air balloon rides or scuba diving excursions.

Embrace Slow and Sustainable Travel

By spending less on flying, travelers can afford to stay longer in one place, support local economies, and travel at a more sustainable pace—all of which align with the principles of responsible tourism.

  

When Is the Best Time to Book Flights?

One of the most common questions budget travelers ask is: "When should I book my flight to get the best deal?" The answer depends on a few key factors—destination, time of year, and how flexible you are. Timing is everything when it comes to airfare prices, and knowing the best times to book can save you hundreds of dollars per trip.

 

The Best Days of the Week to Book Flights

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally considered the cheapest days to book flights. This is when many airlines release deals, and competition between carriers often brings prices down.

• Avoid weekends — Booking on Friday through Sunday often results in higher prices.
• Check prices mid-week, especially early Tuesday morning or late Monday night for flash sales.

 

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

Booking too early or too late can cost you. Here's a general guideline based on industry research and booking data:

 Domestic Flights:

• Best time to book: 1 to 3 months in advance
• Avoid: Booking too early (6+ months) or too close (less than 2 weeks)

International Flights:

• Best time to book: 2 to 8 months in advance
• Long-haul travel (Asia, Europe): Closer to 6–8 months ahead for peak seasons
• Low season deals: Sometimes available just 1–2 months out

Tip: Use Google Flights or Hopper to track price trends and get alerts on the best time to buy.

 

Consider Seasonality and Holidays

• Peak seasons (summer, holidays, school breaks) usually mean higher prices—book earlier.
• Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) often offer cheaper fares and better weather.
• Red-eye or early-morning flights are often cheaper than mid-day flights.

 

Bonus: Use the “Flight Calendar” Feature

Most flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak offer calendar views. These show the cheapest days to fly within a given month—perfect if your travel dates are flexible.

  

The Best Days of the Week to Book

Finding the right day to book your flight can make a surprising difference in how much you pay. While airfare prices constantly fluctuate, studies consistently show that certain days offer better deals than others.

Best Days to Book Flights:

• Tuesday and Wednesday are widely known as the best days to find cheaper fares.
• Airlines often launch deals late Monday or early Tuesday, and competing airlines adjust prices shortly after.
• Mid-week booking also means less competition from weekend travelers.

Days to Avoid Booking Flights:

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays tend to be the most expensive times to book.
• Many leisure travelers shop during the weekend, increasing demand and prices.

Expert Tip:

Set fare alerts and check prices early Tuesday morning or late Monday night, when many discounts go live.

 

Why It Works

Airlines typically release their weekly pricing updates and sales on Monday afternoons or evenings. By Tuesday, other carriers match or beat those prices, creating a mini price war—perfect for smart travelers watching for deals.

Pro Tip: While booking mid-week often yields better prices, always compare fares across multiple dates and tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper before confirming.

 

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

Timing your flight booking just right can mean the difference between a budget-friendly fare and an overpriced ticket. The sweet spot for booking varies depending on whether you're flying domestically or internationally, the season, and even your destination.

Domestic Flights (Within Your Country)

• Best time to book: 1 to 3 months before departure
• For peak seasons (holidays, summer): 3 to 6 months in advance
• For off-peak seasons: 3 to 6 weeks in advance often yields the best deals
• Too early? Booking more than 6 months ahead rarely saves money

 

International Flights

• Best time to book: 2 to 8 months in advance
• For popular long-haul destinations (Europe, Asia): Book at least 6 months ahead
• For less popular or flexible routes: You may find deals 2 to 3 months before departure
• Last-minute bookings (1-3 weeks out): Can be cheaper only if you're extremely flexible

Example: Flying from Sri Lanka to the UK in December? Book between April and June for the best rates.

Bonus Tips by Region:

Region	Best Booking Window
North America	1 – 3 months ahead
Europe	4 – 8 months ahead
Asia	2 – 6 months ahead
Australia/NZ	3 – 7 months ahead
South America	3 – 6 months ahead

 

 Tools and Websites to Find Cheap Flights

When it comes to booking affordable airfare, the right tools can save you hours of searching—and hundreds of dollars. Whether you’re planning months ahead or looking for a last-minute deal, these trusted flight search engines and apps help you compare prices, track deals, and uncover hidden savings.

Flight Comparison Websites

These websites search hundreds of airlines and booking sites to give you the best available prices.

Google Flights

• User-friendly interface with flexible date and destination options
• Great for exploring destinations based on budget
• Real-time price graph and trend predictions

Skyscanner

• Excellent for flexible travelers (search “Everywhere” for global deals)
• Filters by airlines, layovers, and cabin class
• Includes budget carriers often missed by other platforms

Kayak

• "Price Forecast" tool shows whether you should book now or wait
• Explore tool helps you find deals based on your budget or location
• Combines multiple OTAs (online travel agencies)

Momondo

• Often finds lesser-known booking sites with hidden deals
• Unique visual fare calendar to compare travel dates
• No booking fees

Apps for Alerts and Smart Booking

Use these tools to track flight prices and get notified when deals pop up.

Hopper

• Predicts future prices using historical data
• Notifies you when it’s the best time to buy
• Useful for flexible travel planning

Airfarewatchdog

• Human-curated fare alerts, especially for mistake fares
• Great for deal hunters who don’t have time to search every day

Scott’s Cheap Flights (Now Going.com)

• Email-based alerts for international and domestic deals
• Premium version sends mistake fares and rare deals
• Ideal for frequent travelers or travel hackers

 

Budget Airline Websites (Check Directly)

Some low-cost carriers don’t show up on major search engines. Always check their websites directly:

• Ryanair (Europe)
• AirAsia (Asia)
• Southwest Airlines (USA – not listed on Google Flights)
• Wizz Air, Vueling, Jetstar, etc.

 

Pro Tip: Combine a flight search engine with price alerts to track and book at the right time. Use comparison tools to research, then book directly with the airline when possible for better flexibility and fewer third-party fees.

 

Flight Comparison Tools

Flight comparison tools are essential for spotting the cheapest flights across multiple airlines and booking platforms. These tools let you compare prices, routes, airlines, layovers, and travel dates all in one place—saving you time, money, and stress.

Below are the best flight comparison websites and why they’re trusted by millions of budget travelers:

Google Flights

• Best for: Flexibility, speed, and user-friendly interface
• Key Features:
• “Explore” map to find destinations within your budget
• Price graph to compare multiple dates
• Predicts price trends and fare drops
• Pro Tip: Use the “Date Grid” and “Price Graph” to see the cheapest combinations of outbound and return flights.

Skyscanner

• Best for: Flexible destinations and budget airlines
• Key Features:
• Search for flights to “Everywhere” from your departure city
• Includes many low-cost airlines not found elsewhere
• Shows full-month price views for better flexibility
• Pro Tip: Use Skyscanner’s mobile app to set flight price alerts and receive real-time deal notifications.

Kayak

• Best for: Price forecasting and filtering
• Key Features:
• “Hacker Fares” that combine one-way tickets for better pricing
• “Price Forecast” tool predicts whether prices will rise or drop
• Explore tool shows destinations based on budget and interests
• Pro Tip: Use Kayak’s “Flex Search” to search airports nearby for lower fares.

 

Momondo

• Best for: Uncovering hidden deals from lesser-known booking sites
• Key Features:
• Color-coded fare calendar for quick date comparisons
• Visual graphs of pricing trends
• Displays OTA breakdowns (who you’re booking through)
• Pro Tip: Use the “Mix & Match” feature to combine airlines and save on round trips.

  

Use Flight Alerts and Price Trackers

One of the smartest ways to score cheap flights is by setting up flight alerts and using price trackers. These tools monitor airfare for your selected routes and notify you when prices drop, peak, or hit their lowest point—so you don’t have to check manually every day.

Why Use Flight Alerts?

• Track price changes in real-time
• Get notified of flash sales or fare drops
• Avoid overpaying by booking at the right time
• Great for both flexible and fixed travel dates

Best Flight Alert & Price Tracking Tools

1. Google Flights

• Set alerts for specific routes and dates
• Email notifications when prices increase or decrease
• Ideal for tracking round-trip or multi-city routes

How to use:
Search your route > Click “Track prices” > Check your Gmail for updates

 

2. Hopper App

• Predicts future price trends using historical data
• Tells you whether to book now or wait
• Mobile-first, great for on-the-go deal tracking

Best for: Visual learners and mobile users who want color-coded insights

 

3. Skyscanner Price Alerts

• Track prices by specific date or whole month
• Works well for flexible travelers
• Sends updates via email or mobile app notifications

Bonus: Skyscanner includes many budget airlines not shown on Google Flights

 

4. Airfarewatchdog

• Alerts curated by real humans (not just algorithms)
• Finds mistake fares, promo codes, and unpublished deals
• Focuses on U.S. and international routes

Tips for Using Price Trackers Effectively

• Set multiple alerts: Track a few different date ranges or airports for flexibility
• Start early: Set alerts at least 2–3 months in advance
• Don’t wait too long: If a good deal appears, book it—prices can rise fast
• Use incognito mode when double-checking prices manually

 

 Travel Hacks to Get the Lowest Airfare

Scoring cheap flights isn't just about luck—it's about strategy. Use these proven travel hacks to beat dynamic pricing algorithms, avoid unnecessary fees, and uncover the cheapest ways to fly.

1. Use Incognito or Private Browsing Mode

Flight search engines often track your searches using cookies, causing prices to rise when you repeatedly check the same route.

• Solution: Always search in incognito/private mode to see the most accurate fares.
• Bonus Tip: Clear your cookies or use a different device if you’re unsure.

2. Be Flexible With Dates and Destinations

Airfare fluctuates based on supply and demand. If you're open to when and where you travel, you'll always find better deals.

• Use tools like Skyscanner's "Everywhere" or Google Flights’ Explore map.
• Fly mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) or during shoulder seasons for lower fares.
• Use a full-month calendar view to see the cheapest travel days.

3. Book One-Way or Multi-City Flights Separately

Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets with different airlines is cheaper than a round-trip.

• Mix and match airlines for departure and return.
• Use tools like Momondo or Kayak Hacker Fares to find combo deals.
• Consider multi-city options (e.g., fly into Paris, return from Rome).

4. Avoid Extra Fees on Budget Airlines

Low-cost carriers often charge for baggage, seat selection, and even check-in.

• Travel with only a carry-on if possible.
• Compare total cost, not just the base fare.
• Bring your own snacks, water bottle, and entertainment.

5. Use VPNs to Access Regional Pricing

Airlines sometimes offer cheaper prices based on your location.

• Use a VPN to change your virtual location (e.g., switch to India or a lower-income country).
• Try searching from different countries to see if fares vary.

6. Redeem Points or Miles Smartly

Don’t let your travel rewards sit unused. They can be gold during fare spikes.

• Use frequent flyer programs, airline credit card points, or travel portals.
• Redeem miles during off-peak times for maximum value.

7. Set Fare Alerts and Book at the Right Time

Timing is everything. Let technology track deals for you.

• Use Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner alerts to monitor price drops.
• Book domestic flights 1–3 months ahead and international flights 2–8 months ahead.

 

Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Cheap Flights

• Booking too early or too late
• Ignoring budget airlines
• Not checking alternate airports
• Skipping baggage fees comparison

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Scoring Cheap Flights

Q: What is the cheapest day of the week to fly?

A: Typically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly, as airlines offer mid-week discounts due to lower demand.

Q: How do I find mistake fares or error fares?

A: Follow sites like SecretFlying, Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com), or set alerts on forums like FlyerTalk to spot mistake fares early.

Q: Are budget airlines really worth it?

A: Yes, if you’re traveling light and fine with fewer frills. Always factor in extra costs like baggage and seat selection.

Q: Is booking directly from the airline cheaper than third-party sites?

A: Not always. Compare both, but book directly when prices are the same for better customer support and fewer fees.

Q: Can VPNs help find cheaper flights?

A: Sometimes. Changing your virtual location can reveal different pricing, especially in certain regions.