There is nothing more important than escape. Whether you’re jetting off to a far-flung destination or taking a quick flight to reunite with your family, changing your surroundings will make you feel great.
Less important, however, is the cost of travel. Airfare can be the most expensive part of travel. Trying to save money seems impossible, and you might be asking yourself, “How do I find cheap flights?”
But there are ways to book flights without breaking your budget.
Instead of getting overwhelmed during the planning process and canceling your trip before it starts, consider the following help to easily find cheap flights.
How to find cheap flights
The first rule of finding 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 usually choose their destination and travel dates before looking at prices. To find the cheapest flight, you have to reverse the process.
Start by checking apps and sites like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner to find out prices in your preferred travel locations. From there, you can see which dates have the cheapest options.
Also, try to book as early as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule. 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, preferably around five months.
What are the best days to book flights?
There is no exact best date to book a flight, but some days are considered better than others. According to Nomadic Matt, Fridays and Mondays tend to be more expensive because that’s when most business travelers fly.
According to Scott’s Cheap Flights, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually the cheapest days to travel.
There is also no specific date when the flight will be cheaper. Cheap flights are always available.
Tips for Cheap Flights
While going to an airline like United or American may feel accustomed, don’t be afraid to try a budget airline. From Southwest Airlines to Frontier Airlines, there are plenty of name-brand alternatives that can be more expensive.
As mentioned above, it is usually best to book peak flight times months in advance. If you want to be proactive, schedule your tour during these times whenever possible.
For example, peak travel times from the US to Europe are from mid-June to mid-August, and Christmas to New Year’s Eve. According to Scott’s Cheap Flights, consider booking during the break to save money.
A direct flight can shorten your travel time, but can be more expensive than a connecting flight. Rome2Rio can help you find the best way to get from a nearby airport to your final destination.