Essential Tools for Finding Cheap Flights
The first step to finding affordable airfare is knowing which tools to use. These platforms do the heavy lifting by comparing hundreds of airlines and travel sites simultaneously.
Flight comparison tools help you quickly identify the best deals across multiple airlines
Google Flights
Google Flights offers a clean interface with powerful search capabilities. Its calendar view makes it easy to spot price fluctuations across different dates.
- Price tracking for specific routes
- Explore map for browsing destinations by price
- Filter options for stops, airlines, and price
Skyscanner
Skyscanner excels at finding the absolute cheapest options, including combinations of airlines that might not show up elsewhere.
- “Everywhere” search for inspiration
- Month-long view for best dates
- Price alerts for specific routes
Hopper
Hopper’s mobile app uses predictive algorithms to tell you when to book and when to wait for better prices.
- Color-coded calendar for price trends
- Price prediction with 95% accuracy
- Watch feature for price drops
10 Proven Strategies to Secure Cheap Flights
Beyond using the right tools, these tactical approaches will help you consistently find lower airfares and save money on your travels.
Being flexible with your travel dates can lead to significant savings on flights
1. Be Flexible with Dates and Times
Flight prices can vary dramatically depending on the day of the week and time of day. Tuesday and Wednesday departures often offer the best value, while weekend flights typically command premium prices.
Pro Tip: Use the “flexible dates” option in flight search tools to quickly identify the cheapest days to fly. Even shifting your trip by a day or two can save hundreds of dollars.
2. Book at the Right Time
Timing is crucial when booking flights. For domestic trips, aim to book 1-3 months in advance. For international journeys, extend that window to 2-8 months for the best rates.
| Flight Type | Ideal Booking Window | Last-Minute Potential |
| Domestic | 1-3 months ahead | Medium |
| International (Short-haul) | 2-5 months ahead | Low |
| International (Long-haul) | 3-8 months ahead | Very Low |
| Holiday Periods | 6+ months ahead | Extremely Low |
3. Set Up Price Alerts
Don’t have time to constantly check for price drops? Let technology do the work for you with automated price alerts.
Never Miss a Deal Again
Set up price alerts for your desired routes and get notified when prices drop. Most flight comparison tools offer this feature for free.
4. Consider Alternative Airports
Major hubs often charge premium prices. Check if flying into or out of a nearby secondary airport could save you money. For example, consider Burbank or Ontario instead of LAX in the Los Angeles area.
5. Use the Multi-City Search Option
Sometimes booking separate legs of your journey individually can be cheaper than a round-trip tket. Use the multi-city search option to explore these combinations.
6. Clear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode
While evidence is mixed, some travelers report seeing price increases when repeatedly searching the same route. Using private browsing or clearing cookies between searches may help avoid this potential issue.
7. Look for Hidden-City Ticketing Opportunities
Sometimes a flight with a connection is cheaper than a direct flight to your desired destination. If your actual destination is the connecting city, you could save by booking the longer route and simply not taking the final leg.
Important: Hidden-city ticketing violates most airlines’ terms of service. Only use this strategy for one-way flights, never check bags, and be aware that airlines may penalize frequent offenders.
8. Leverage Airline Error Fares
Airlines occasionally publish mistaken fares at a fraction of their intended price. These “error fares” can offer extraordinary savings but typically last only a few hours before being corrected.
Get Notified of Error Fares
Subscribe to services that specialize in finding and alerting subscribers to mistake fares before they disappear.
9. Mix and Match Airlines
Booking your outbound and return flights with different airlines can often result in significant savings. Flight comparison tools automatically show these “hacker fare” options.
10. Consider Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers often offer dramatically lower base fares than traditional airlines. Just be sure to factor in additional fees for baggage, seat selection, and other amenities when comparing total costs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Flight Comparison Tools
Follow these detailed instructions to get the most out of the topflight search platforms and find the cheapest flights for your next trip.
Using Google Flights Effectively
- Visit Google Flights and enter your departure and arrival cities
- Select “Flexible dates” or “Price graph” to view price variations
- Use the map view by clicking “Explore” to find the cheapest destinations
- 4 Applyk”Track prices” to receive email notifications about price changes
- When you find a good deal, click through to book directly with the airline
Mastering Skyscanner Search
- Open Skyscanner and enter your departure city
- Select “Everywhere” as your destination to see all options sorted by price
- Choose “Whole month” or “Cheapest month” for date flexibility
- Review results and use filters to refine options
- Set up price alerts for specific routes by clicking the bell icon
- When ready, select your flights and complete the booking through the partner site
Getting the Most from Hopper
- Download the Hopper app and create an account
- Enter your desired route and approximate dates
- Review the color-coded calendar (green = cheapest days)
- Check the price prediction to see if you should book now or wait
- Tap “Watch This Trip” to receive notification about price changes
- Book directly through the app when prices reach the recommended level
Ready to Start Searching?
Put these steps into practice and start comparing prices across multiple platforms to find the best deals.
Understanding Fare Calendars and Price Alerts
These visual tools are key to finding the best flight deals. Here’s how they work and what they look like in practice.
Fare Calendar Example
Fare calendars display price variations across dates, helping you identify the cheapest days to fly. Green dates typically indicate lower prices, while red shows higher fares.
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Price Alert Notification Example
Airline Newsletter Signup Example
Lesser-Known Tactics for Finding Cheap Flights
Beyond the standard strategies, these advanced techniques can help you uncover exceptional flight deals that most travelers miss.
Regional Budget Airlines
Many regional budget carriers don’t appear on major flight comparison sites. Research local airlines at your destination and check their websites directly for potentially lower fares.
Popular Regional Budget Airlines
- Allegiant Air (USA)
- Sun Country (USA)
- Porter Airlines (Canada)
- Transavia (Europe)
- Peach Aviation (Japan)
- Scoot (Asia)
Pro Tip: When booking with budget airlines, always check their baggage policies and fees before purchasing. What seems like the cheapest fare might end up costing more once all fees are added.
Leverage Airline Alliances and Partners
Sometimes, booking through a partner airline can get you on the exact same flight for less. Check all airlines within the same alliance (Star Alliance, OneWorld, SkyTeam) for varying prices.
Consider “Open-Jaw” Tickets
An open-jaw ticket involves flying into one city and departing from another. This can be cheaper than booking two one-way tickets and offers flexibility for exploring multiple destinations.
Monitor Fuel Surcharge Changes
When fuel prices drop significantly, some airlines reduce their fuel surcharges. Keep an eye on global oil prices—when they fall, start looking for fare reductions about 2-3 months later.
Use VPNs to Check Regional Pricing
Airlines sometimes offer different prices based on the country from which you’re booking from. Using a VPN to appear as if you’re browsing from another country might reveal lower fares.
Note: While this technique can work, be aware that some airlines have policies against this practice and may cancel tickets if detected.
Your Cheap Flight Checklist
Use this quick reference guide to ensure you’re covering all bases when searching for affordable flights.
Before You Search
- Clear browser cookies or use incognito mode
- Determine how flexible your travel dates are
- Research seasonal trends for your destination
- Set up price alerts for your route
- Check if any sales or travel periods are approaching
During Your Search
- Compare prices across multiple search engines
- Check both one-way and round-trip options
- Look at nearby airports for better deals
- Consider multi-city or open-jaw options
- Verify baggage fees and other extras
Before Booking
- Check airline websites directly for lower prices
- Verify if it’s cheaper to book in a different currency
- Consider if prices are likely to drop further
- Check cancellation and change policies
- Look for cashback or points opportunities
Start Saving on Flights Today
Finding cheap flights isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, timing, and knowing where to look. By implementing the techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to secure affordable airfare for your next adventure.
Ready to Find Your Next Cheap Flight?
Start applying these strategies today and join thousands of savvy travelers who never overpay for flights again.
Remember that finding cheap flights is both an art and a science. Prices fluctuate constantly, so persistence and flexibility are key. The more you practice these strategies, the more intuitive the process will become—and the more money you’ll save on air travel over time.
Happy travels and even happier savings!
