How to Find Cheap Flights and Save Money

Travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but booking flights can quickly become one of the most expensive parts of your trip. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a long-haul holiday, finding cheap flights and saving money is something every savvy traveller aims for. The good news? With a bit of know-how, strategy, and a touch of flexibility, you can slash your airfare and keep more pounds in your pocket.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find cheap flights and save money, with practical tips, insider tricks, and smart tools to make your travel budget go further.

1. Start with a Flexible Mindset

When it comes to learning how to find cheap flights and save money, flexibility is your best friend. Being open with your travel dates, times, and even destinations can dramatically reduce your flight costs.

Travel Dates

Flights tend to be cheaper on certain days of the week—Tuesdays and Wednesdays often offer the best deals. Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays if possible, as these are prime travel days and usually more expensive.

Time of Day

Red-eye or early morning flights are often less popular, which means they can also be less expensive. If you don’t mind a bit of a groggy start or landing late at night, you could shave off a significant chunk of the fare.

Travel During the Off-Season

Airfares soar during peak seasons like Christmas, summer holidays, and school breaks. If you can travel during the shoulder seasons—spring and autumn—you’ll find much lower prices, not to mention fewer crowds.

2. Use Flight Comparison Websites

A key tool in learning how to find cheap flights and save money is the use of reliable flight comparison websites. These platforms aggregate prices from multiple airlines and booking agents to help you find the best deal.

Recommended Sites:

Skyscanner – Known for its flexible search options and extensive results.
Google Flights – Offers quick comparisons and lets you track prices over time.
Momondo – Often uncovers deals missed by other sites.
Kayak – Includes tools to predict if prices are likely to rise or fall.

Use these tools to search broadly, but always double-check with the airline’s official website before booking. Sometimes you’ll find it cheaper or get added perks by booking direct.

3. Set Price Alerts

If your travel dates aren’t set in stone, setting up price alerts can be a game-changer in your quest for how to find cheap flights and save money. Most flight comparison websites and apps let you track prices for a specific route and notify you when they drop.

This allows you to monitor fluctuations and pounce when prices are at their lowest. Booking too early can sometimes cost you more, so this approach helps you buy at just the right moment.

4. Be Open to Nearby Airports

Big cities often have more than one airport, and sometimes flying into a smaller or secondary airport can lead to major savings.

For example:

Flying into Gatwick or Luton instead of Heathrow (London)
Choosing Girona instead of Barcelona El Prat
Arriving in Oakland rather than San Francisco

When learning how to find cheap flights and save money, it's wise to check fares to and from all nearby airports—just make sure transport to your final destination doesn’t wipe out your savings.

5. Consider Budget Airlines

Budget airlines have revolutionised air travel, offering incredibly low fares if you’re willing to sacrifice a few frills.

Popular Budget Carriers:

Ryanair and easyJet in Europe
JetBlue and Southwest in the US
Scoot and AirAsia in Asia

These airlines often charge extra for baggage, seat selection, and even water on board, so make sure you understand the total cost before booking. Still, if you travel light and plan ahead, you’ll understand how to find cheap flights and save money the budget-friendly way.

6. Book at the Right Time

Timing your booking correctly is an essential strategy for how to find cheap flights and save money.

General Guidelines:

Domestic flights: Book 1–3 months in advance
International flights: Book 2–6 months in advance

However, don’t obsess over the “perfect” time—use fare tracking tools and check prices regularly. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so there’s no single rule that works 100% of the time.

7. Use Points and Miles

One of the most effective long-term strategies for how to find cheap flights and save money is using frequent flyer points and travel reward credit cards.

Tips to Maximise Rewards:

Join loyalty programmes for all major airlines you fly with.
Use travel credit cards that offer points or miles on everyday purchases.
Take advantage of sign-up bonuses that offer large point hauls.
Consider using points for upgrades or free flights.

Many travellers fly for next to nothing using accumulated points, especially for long-haul international trips.

8. Try Booking One-Way or Multi-City Flights

Sometimes booking two one-way tickets (even on different airlines) can be cheaper than a return ticket. Similarly, if you’re travelling through multiple cities, a multi-city booking can reduce costs and increase convenience.

This is a great tactic for those looking to make the most of open-jaw travel, where you arrive in one city and depart from another. It’s also a clever way to combine business and leisure travel.

9. Search in Incognito Mode

When researching how to find cheap flights and save money, many travellers swear by using incognito or private browsing mode. The theory is that travel sites track your searches and gradually raise prices to encourage urgency.

While the jury’s still out on how much this actually affects prices, it doesn’t hurt to keep your searches private. Alternatively, clear your cookies or use a different browser/device when you’re ready to book.

10. Check Alternate Booking Currencies and Locations

Some airlines offer different pricing based on where you're booking from or what currency you're using. By switching to another country’s version of the site or using a VPN, you might be able to find lower fares.

Make sure to check the exchange rate and potential foreign transaction fees before going this route—but it’s another clever hack for those serious about how to find cheap flights and save money.

11. Avoid Extra Fees

Low fares can be misleading once you add on all the extras. Baggage fees, seat selection, meal charges, and other add-ons can quickly bump up the cost.

Tips to Avoid Hidden Costs:

Travel with carry-on only.
Skip seat selection unless necessary.
Bring your own snacks and water.
Print boarding passes at home if required.

Knowing how airlines make their money can help you keep yours in your wallet.

12. Book Flights and Hotels Separately

Package deals are convenient, but they aren’t always the cheapest. Booking your flight and accommodation separately gives you more control and can sometimes be much more cost-effective.

You’ll also have more flexibility in choosing where you stay and which flight suits you best. This adds a layer of customisation when planning how to find cheap flights and save money.

13. Consider Alternative Routes and Stopovers

Direct flights are faster, but they’re usually more expensive. Adding a layover or two might save you hundreds of pounds—plus, you can use the stopover to explore another city.

For example, flying from London to Bangkok via Helsinki or Istanbul might be cheaper than going direct. It requires a bit more time and patience, but if you want to know how to find cheap flights and save money, this is one of the top strategies.

14. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Deal Alerts

Stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to airline newsletters and deal websites. Many flash sales, promo codes, and mistake fares are only announced through email or social media.

Deal Websites to Follow:

Secret Flying
Jack’s Flight Club (UK)
The Flight Deal
Scott’s Cheap Flights

You’ll get insider alerts and rare discounts—some travellers book dream holidays just by jumping on these limited-time offers.

15. Travel Light

One of the simplest tips for how to find cheap flights and save money is to pack light. Checked baggage fees can add £30–£100+ to your ticket, especially on budget airlines.

Learn to pack efficiently using a carry-on only. Choose versatile clothing, roll instead of fold, and invest in travel-sized essentials. It’s not only cheaper but easier to manage on the go.

16. Use Alternative Booking Platforms

Traditional booking sites are great, but sometimes less-known platforms can unlock hidden gems.

Examples:

Hopper – Predicts future flight prices and tells you whether to book now or wait.
Kiwi.com – Combines flights from non-partner airlines to create ultra-cheap routes.
AirWander – Helps you add extended layovers to your trip for free.

Exploring outside-the-box options is key to mastering how to find cheap flights and save money.

17. Book Group Tickets Individually

If you’re booking for multiple people, don’t always search for all passengers together. Airlines usually show the same fare for each person in a group, based on the highest available fare class.

Try searching for one person first to see if there are cheaper seats left, then book separately if it saves money.

18. Use Student and Youth Discounts

Many airlines offer discounts to students and young people under 26. Websites like STA Travel and StudentUniverse specialise in offering lower fares for this demographic.

So, if you’re a student, flash that ID you’ve got another way to learn how to find cheap flights and save money just by being young.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to find cheap flights and save money doesn’t require luck it just takes a bit of strategy, research, and flexibility. From being open with your travel dates and destinations to using the right tools and booking tricks, you can seriously cut your travel costs.

Every pound saved on flights is a pound you can spend exploring your destination, trying new foods, or even extending your trip. So the next time you’re planning a holiday, don’t just hit “book” on the first deal you see use these tips and become a flight-booking pro.

Happy travels and may your skies be clear and your fares forever low!