How to Book Cheap Last-Minute Flights

To secure a cheap flight within 14 days of departure, use Google Flights' Explore feature to find the lowest price to any destination from your hub. Be flexible with your dates and prioritize flying into secondary airports to slash costs.

  1. Use the 'Explore' Tool on Google Flights. Set your departure airport and leave the destination blank. Select 'Flexible dates' and choose the 'Weekend', '1 week', or '2 weeks' duration. This reveals the cheapest places to fly from your location regardless of the destination.
  2. Check Airline Hubs via ITA Matrix. Use the ITA Matrix software to search multiple nearby airports at once. Enter your departure code followed by a comma and the codes of 3-4 airports within driving distance to see if changing your departure point saves you money.
  3. Monitor for Price Drops with Trackers. Set up price alerts on Hopper or Google Flights for your specific route. Even at the last minute, airlines occasionally release 'distress inventory'—empty seats they are desperate to fill 48–72 hours before takeoff.
  4. Book Two One-Way Tickets. Don't restrict yourself to a single airline for a round trip. Search for one-way legs separately; booking the outbound on Airline A and the return on Airline B is often cheaper than a standard round-trip ticket.
Is it really cheaper to book on a Tuesday?
No. That is a myth. Prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, not the day of the week you search.
Should I clear my browser cookies?
No. Airlines do not use cookies to track your interest and raise prices. Searching in Incognito mode is unnecessary.
When is the absolute latest I can book?
Most airlines close booking for international flights 2 to 4 hours before departure. Domestic flights can often be booked up to 1 hour before departure.