Budget travel
Finding cheaper flights: how to search, and what to watch for
Flight prices move constantly, and the cheapest fare is not always the cheapest trip. How to search efficiently and read a fare before you book.
There is no secret day of the week when flights are cheap. Fares are set by demand and change constantly, which is why the most useful habit is simply to compare widely and read what a fare includes before you book it.
Search wide, then narrow
- Be flexible on dates. Shifting departure by a day or two often changes the price more than anything else.
- Consider nearby airports. Many cities are served by more than one airport, and a cheaper arrival airport can outweigh a longer ground transfer — or not, once you add it up.
- Compare one-way combinations. Two one-way tickets on different airlines can be cheaper than a return, at the cost of less protection if something goes wrong.
Read the fare, not just the price
A low headline fare can exclude checked baggage, seat selection and changes. Add up what you actually need before comparing. Check the connection time on any itinerary with a stop, and whether the whole journey is on one ticket: if two flights are booked separately and the first is delayed, the second airline has no obligation to wait for you.
Where to search
Aviasales is a flight search engine that compares fares across more than 2,000 airlines and ticket agencies, then sends you to the airline or agency to book. You can also search it directly from our home page.
If something goes wrong
Delays and cancellations can entitle you to compensation. Our guide to flight delay compensation in the EU explains when, and how much.