How to Find Cheap Flights: The Ultimate Guide to Saving on Airfares

Be Flexible With Your Dates

Airfare prices can vary dramatically depending on a few key factors. The day of the week, school holidays, peak travel seasons, and major events in your destination can all cause prices to spike. Understanding these patterns can help you plan your trip at the most affordable time.

Generally, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. These are the days when demand tends to be lower, which often translates to lower ticket prices. By targeting these days, you can save a significant amount on your flights.

A simple but powerful trick is to use the “whole month” or “flexible dates” view when searching for flights. This allows you to see airfare across the entire month, helping you easily spot the cheapest days to travel without guessing. By combining flexible dates with weekday selection, you can often find deals far below standard prices.

Use Multiple Search Engines

Every flight search platform shows slightly different deals, so it’s always a good idea to compare multiple sites before booking. Google Flights is excellent for quickly comparing dates, while Skyscanner is ideal for flexible trips and exploring a range of options. Kayak offers strong price prediction tools to help you decide when to buy, and Momondo often uncovers hidden, extra-cheap fares that other sites might miss. By cross-checking two or three of these platforms, you can be confident you’re getting the best possible price for your flight.

Book at the Right Time

While there’s no single “magic day” to book flights, certain patterns can help you save. For international trips, the best window is usually 2–6 months before travel, while domestic flights are often cheapest when booked 1–3 months in advance. During peak periods, such as Christmas or school holidays, it’s wise to plan even further ahead — around 6–10 months before departure. Booking too early or waiting too long can both lead to higher prices, so timing your purchase carefully can make a big difference in cost.

Fly Into Nearby Airports

Many cities are served by multiple airports, and choosing the right one can save you hundreds of dollars. For example, in Tokyo you can compare Narita and Haneda, while London offers options like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. Even in places like Bali, where Denpasar is the main airport, nearby islands or alternative arrival points can sometimes be cheaper. When searching for flights, be sure to check “nearby airports” to uncover these savings and get the best deal possible.

Travel Off-Peak

Airline prices tend to rise when demand is at its peak, so traveling during off-peak months can save you a lot. For example, the cheapest months to visit Europe are typically April, May, September, and October, while February to April is ideal for Bali and much of Asia. In the USA, January, February, and early March often offer the lowest fares. If you can also avoid school holidays and other busy travel periods, your savings can be even greater.

Use Price Alerts (The Smart Way)

Instead of checking flight prices every day, set up price alerts to do the work for you. Tools like Google Flights price alerts, Skyscanner price drop notifications, and Hopper, which provides strong price predictions, will notify you the moment fares fall. This way, you can book at the perfect time without constantly monitoring multiple sites.

Use Points, Rewards & Companion Deals

If you travel even a few times a year, signing up for loyalty programs can save you a significant amount. Programs like Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Velocity, and various credit card reward schemes offer benefits such as free flights, seat upgrades, companion fares, and priority booking. Over time, accumulating points through these programs can save you hundreds of dollars and make your trips much more comfortable.

Avoid Paying for Extras You Don’t Need

Low-cost airlines often lure travelers with a low ticket price, only to add extra charges for things like baggage, seat selection, meals, and payment fees. If you’re taking a short trip, sticking to carry-on luggage only can save you a significant amount and keep your total travel costs much lower.

Consider Split Tickets

Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets, flying with different airlines, or arranging your own layover can be cheaper than purchasing a single round-trip ticket. For example, you might fly from Perth to Singapore with one airline, then continue from Singapore to Europe with another. This strategy can save hundreds of dollars, particularly for travelers flying from Australia.

Be Spontaneous — Last-Minute Deals DO Exist

Although last-minute deals are rare, airlines occasionally drop prices 1–3 weeks before departure to fill empty seats. You can find these offers on platforms like Skyscanner’s last-minute deals, Cheapflights’ “Explore” page, or directly on airline sales pages. These deals are perfect for spontaneous travelers looking for a bargain.

Final Tips From a Travel Industry Perspective