Proven Tips to Save Hundreds on Flights
I have spent the last four decades perfecting the art of traveling on the cheap. Over the years, I’ve consistently been able to find affordable airfares—whether flying in economy or basic economy, or in business or first class. Below are my tried-and-tested strategies for finding cheap flights that always work.
The #1 Rule for Finding Cheap Flights: Be Flexible With Travel Dates
Flexibility is the single most important factor in finding low airfare. The best deals appear when demand is low, and the key is being willing to travel when prices drop.
For example, if you live in Los Angeles and want to travel to London, airfare prices will be highest during summer and holiday periods. If you are flexible with your travel dates, you can often save hundreds of dollars on the exact same route.
Using Google Flights, a non-stop flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR) in February costs significantly less than the same flight in June.
How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Airfare
Google Flights is one of the most powerful tools for airfare research. While this article is not sponsored by Google, it provides an excellent example of how airfare pricing works.
A non-stop United Airlines flight from LAX to LHR in early February costs around $577, while the cheapest available option costs approximately $475—over $100 less.
The lower fare includes a stopover, increasing total travel time. Whether the savings are worth it depends on your priorities. In some cases, longer layovers can be turned into free stopover city visits.
Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights: When Longer Travel Saves Money
Cheapest flights often include one or more connections. In the London example, the cheaper option includes a stop in Lisbon, extending travel time by several hours but lowering the price.
If you can find a long layover—such as 12 to 24 hours—you may be able to explore an extra city at no additional cost, effectively turning a layover into a bonus destination.
How Flight Prices Change by Season: Winter vs. Summer Travel
Seasonality plays a major role in airfare pricing. Searching for the same route in June shows prices hundreds of dollars higher than in February.
For example, flights to London in June can cost more than $800, compared to under $500 in winter. That’s a difference of more than $350 for the same destination.
Use the Google Flights Date Grid to Find the Cheapest Days to Fly
The Date Grid feature in Google Flights allows you to see airfare prices across multiple departure and return dates at once.
This tool reveals clear patterns: the cheapest days to fly are often Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. These are days business travelers typically avoid, which lowers demand and prices.
Best Time to Travel to Europe for Cheap Flights
To find the best airfare to Europe, avoid peak travel periods such as:
- Mid-June through early September
- Christmas and New Year’s holidays
The best months to travel to Europe for cheaper flights and fewer crowds are March, April, May, and mid-September through mid-November.
During these shoulder seasons, flights, hotels, and restaurants are less expensive, and popular cities are far less crowded.
Avoid Local Holidays When Booking International Travel
Local holidays can dramatically affect crowd levels and transportation logistics. While festivals can be enjoyable, they can also cause congestion and higher prices.
For example, during Easter week in Andalucía, Spain, cities like Seville become extremely crowded due to religious processions, making driving and parking difficult.
Best Time to Travel to South America for Cheap Flights
South America offers excellent value in:
- January (summer)
- Fall (spring in the Southern Hemisphere)
We spent a month in Argentina and Chile in January and experienced fewer tourists and lower prices compared to peak travel periods.
Best Time to Travel to Africa: Southern and East Africa
Southern Africa Travel Tips
The best time to visit Southern Africa is during spring or fall, when weather is pleasant and tourist numbers are lower. A March visit to South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe resulted in fewer crowds.
East Africa Travel Tips (Kenya and Tanzania)
Peak travel season occurs in July due to the Great Migration. Avoid this period if possible, and always avoid the rainy season when planning safaris.
Best Time to Travel to Asia and the Middle East
For most of Asia and the Middle East (excluding China and Japan), avoid:
- Summer months due to extreme heat
- Rainy or monsoon seasons
January is often the best time to visit, offering cooler temperatures and fewer crowds than December.
Best Time to Travel to Australia and New Zealand for Cheap Airfare
The best airfare deals to Australia and New Zealand are typically found during the shoulder seasons:
- Our spring (their fall)
- Our fall (their spring)
These periods offer excellent weather and better flight prices.
How to Find Flight Deals Using Google Flights Explore
The Explore feature in Google Flights is one of the easiest ways to discover cheap flight deals.
By selecting your home airport and trip duration, you can see a map of destinations with prices. For example, round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Miami for around $100 are sometimes available.
Using Google Flights Explore for Cheap International Flights
The Explore feature works especially well for international travel. By selecting a two-week trip, you can uncover deals such as:
- Tokyo for under $550
- Rome for just over $400
Even if your final destination is elsewhere, flying into a major European hub and continuing by train or budget airline can save significant money.
How to Turn Long Layovers Into Free City Visits
Some of the cheapest flights include long stopovers. For example, a low-cost flight to Rome may include a 24-hour layover in Copenhagen, allowing you to explore another city at no additional cost.
How to Set Airfare Price Alerts and Track Deals
If you have a specific destination and travel window in mind, set up airfare alerts. When prices drop, you’ll receive an email notification so you can book at the right time.
Do These Cheap Flight Rules Apply to Business and First Class?
Yes—these same strategies apply to premium cabin tickets. I’ve used them to travel around the world with my family on a tight budget and now use them to find discounted business and first-class airfare.
Using Incognito Mode:
Always use Incognito Mode in Chrome browser or InPrivate Window in MS Explorer or DuckDuckGo for searching for flights. If you are tech savvy you can also try using a VPN, especially if you can seem to be looking from another country, where fares maybe cheaper.
Last but not the least:
Do not book from 3rd party sites however authentic and tempting it might be. First of all there many scammers out there and secondly even if the site is genuine, if there is a problem with the flight (delay/missed connection), the airline will usually not take responsibility. Though this has never happened to me, I know of many people who had to scramble to find a last minute flight after a delay and refusal of the airline to take care of them. Always buy from the airline’s own website.
Final Thoughts: How to Consistently Find Cheap Airfare
Finding cheap flights isn’t about luck—it’s about flexibility, timing, and using the right tools. While Google Flights is my primary example, other airfare search engines such as Kayak, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Skiplagged can also help uncover deals.
Disclaimer
This article reflects my personal experience and opinions and is not intended as financial or travel advice. I am not a CFA, travel agent, or professional travel expert. Readers should conduct their own research before booking flights.
You can watch a YouTube Video on this topic that I made a while back:
