Nothing beats a getaway. Whether you are jet-setting to a far-off destination or catching a quick flight to see family, changing your surroundings can feel great.
What is not so great, however, is the cost of traveling. Airfare can be the most expensive part of a trip. Trying to save money can seem impossible, and you may ask yourself, “How do I find cheap flights?”
But there are ways to book a flight without breaking your budget.
Instead of getting overwhelmed with the planning process and canceling your travels before they even begin, consider the following to help find cheap flights easily.
How to find cheap flights
The first rule of finding cheap flights is to be flexible with your travels. While you may want to stick to a strict schedule, this does not help when it comes to pricing.
When people travel, they often select their destination and dates of travel before checking pricing. To find the cheapest flights, you have to reverse that process.
Start by checking applications and sites like Google Flights, Hopper and Skyscanner to see what prices are for your preferred travel locations. From there, you can see what dates have the cheapest options.
Also, try to book in advance. Do not wait until the last minute to schedule. Around two to three months in advance is the best time to book a flight. If you plan to travel during peak times, such as holidays, around five months is better.
Ask the Captain: All your air-travel questions, answered
What are the best days to book a flight?
There is no exact best day to book a flight, but there are days considered better than others. Fridays and Mondays tend to be more expensive since that is when most business travelers fly, according to Nomadic Matt.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to travel on, according to Scott’s Cheap Flights.
There are also no specific days that flights will be cheaper. Cheap flights can pop up at any time.
Been a while since you traveled?: Here’s a refresher on those basic economy plane tickets
Layover or stopover? What’s the difference? Does it matter?
Tips for cheap flights
While it may feel customary to go to carriers like United or American, do not be afraid to try out budget airlines. From Southwest to Frontier Airlines, there are plenty of alternatives to the name brands, which could be more expensive.
As mentioned above, it’s often best to book peak flight times several months in advance. If you want to be proactive, try to schedule your trip around those times if possible.
For example, peak travel times from the U.S. to Europe are from mid-June through mid-August, as well as Christmas through New Year’s Eve. Consider booking during off times to save money, according to Scott’s Cheap Flights.
Flying direct can make your travels shorter, but prices may be higher than if you took a connecting layover. Rome2Rio can help you find the best way to get from a nearby airport to your final destination.
Just curious?:We’re here to help with life’s everyday questions
