Nothing beats a short vacation. Whether you’re traveling to a far-flung destination or taking a short flight to see your family, changing your surroundings can feel great.
What is not so great, however, are the travel costs. Airfare can be the most expensive part of a trip. Trying to save money can seem impossible, and you may be wondering, “How do I find cheap flights?”
But there are ways to book a flight without breaking the bank.
Instead of getting overwhelmed with the planning process and canceling your trips before they even begin, consider the following points to easily find cheap flights.
How to find cheap flights
The first rule when looking for cheap flights is to be flexible with your travels. While you might want to stick to a strict schedule, that doesn’t help when it comes to pricing.
When people travel, they often choose their destination and travel dates before checking prices. To find the cheapest flights, you need to reverse this process.
First, check apps and websites like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner to see what prices apply to your favorite travel locations. From there you can see which dates have the cheapest options.
Also try to book in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan. About two to three months in advance is the best time to book a flight. If you plan to travel during peak periods, e.g. B. in the holidays, about five months is better.
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What are the best days to book a flight?
There is no exact best day to book a flight, but there are days that are considered better than others. Fridays and Mondays tend to be more expensive, which is when most business travelers fly, according to Nomadic Matt.
According to Scott’s Cheap Flights, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to travel.
There are also no specific days when flights are cheaper. Cheap flights can pop up at any time.
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Tips for cheap flights
While it may seem common to go to airlines like United or American, don’t be afraid to try budget airlines. From Southwest to Frontier Airlines, there are many alternatives to the brand names that could be more expensive.
As mentioned above, it is often best to book peak flight times several months in advance. If you want to be proactive, try to plan your trip around these times if possible.
The main travel times from the USA to Europe, for example, are from mid-June to mid-August and from Christmas to New Year’s Eve. Consider booking outside of these hours to save money, says Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Direct flights can shorten your journeys, but prices can be higher than a stopover. Rome2Rio can help you find the best way to get to your final destination from a nearby airport.
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