How to find cheap flights

Reviewed regularly · 6 min read

Most of the tricks going around do nothing. These are the ones that actually move the price, ordered by how much they save.

Biggest saver: flexible dates

Searching with a whole-month or calendar view instead of a fixed day is by far what saves the most. The gap between Friday and Tuesday of the same week can be double. If you can shift the trip by two days, always search this way.

Second: the alternative airport

Flying into a secondary airport in the same region changes the price noticeably. Before accepting it, price the transfer: if you save 40 euros and the bus into town costs 25 and takes ninety minutes, it isn't worth it.

Third: how far ahead

For European flights, one to three months out is the sensible window. For long-haul, three to six. Booking a year ahead usually isn't cheaper, because airlines open sales at mid-range fares.

Myths you can discard

Searching in private mode doesn't change the price: fares vary with availability and demand, not with your browser history. There's no magic day of the week to buy either. And "only 2 seats left at this price" alerts are urgency signals, not reliable information.

What is worth checking

Baggage. A 25-euro base fare with a 45-euro checked bag is not a 25-euro fare. Always compare the final price with the luggage you'll actually carry — that's where low-cost airlines recover their margin.

Flights with a stopover

A three or four hour connection usually cuts long-haul fares significantly. With short connections, under ninety minutes, the risk of missing it stops being worth the saving.

Keep reading

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