Proven, no-nonsense ways to find cheaper flights, when to book, how to stay flexible, and the small habits that quietly save the most money.
Airfare is the one cost where a little strategy pays off disproportionately. None of this requires secret tricks, just good habits.
When to book
For most trips, the sweet spot is roughly 1–3 months ahead for domestic and 2–6 months for international. Last-minute fares are rarely cheap for leisure travel.
Stay flexible
- Dates: shifting a departure by a day or two often cuts the fare noticeably. Mid-week tends to beat weekends.
- Airports: check nearby alternates at both ends.
- Destination: if you're flexible on where, let price lead. Comparisons like Paris or Rome help you keep two options open until you see fares.
Nine quick tactics
- Search in an incognito window and compare across a couple of engines
- Set fare alerts for your route
- Consider a nearby hub and a short onward hop
- Fly the shoulder season (best time to travel)
- Be wary of budget-airline add-ons, see carry-on packing
- Book one-way tickets separately when it's cheaper
- Use points for the priciest leg
- Avoid peak holidays and local festival dates
- Don't over-optimise, a few hours saved isn't worth a miserable layover
Then plan the rest
Once your flights are set, drop your trip into the planner and it'll build the itinerary and budget around them.