How to Find Cheap Flights to Your Destination
Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead for domestic trips and 2-3 months for international. Use flight comparison sites, be flexible with dates, and consider budget airlines and alternative airports.
- Start with flight comparison sites. Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to compare prices across airlines. Set up price alerts for your route if you're not traveling immediately.
- Be flexible with your travel dates. Use the calendar view on comparison sites to see price differences across days. Flying Tuesday-Thursday typically costs 15-20% less than weekends.
- Check budget airlines directly. Budget carriers like Southwest, Frontier, or Spirit often don't appear on comparison sites. Check their websites separately, but factor in baggage fees.
- Consider alternative airports. Flying into nearby airports can save $100-300. Check if the ground transportation cost still makes it worthwhile.
- Clear your browser cookies. Airlines track your searches and may raise prices on repeat visits. Use incognito mode or clear cookies between searches.
- Book at the right time. For domestic flights, book 6-8 weeks ahead. For international, book 2-3 months ahead. Avoid booking more than 5 months early.
- Is Tuesday really the cheapest day to fly?
- Tuesday-Thursday are typically 15-20% cheaper than weekend flights, but this varies by route. Use comparison sites to check your specific dates.
- Should I book one-way or round-trip tickets?
- Round-trip is usually cheaper for the same airline, but booking two one-way tickets on different airlines can sometimes save money.
- How far in advance should I book?
- 6-8 weeks for domestic flights, 2-3 months for international. Booking too early (5+ months) often costs more than booking at the sweet spot.
- Are hidden city tickets worth it?
- Hidden city ticketing can save money but violates airline terms and only works for one-way trips. Airlines can cancel your return flight if caught.