How to find cheaper flights without chasing coupons
Nobody has a magic trick for cheap flights. What works is boring: stay flexible, compare the whole cost, and don't believe anyone promising 80% off.
Key points
- Flexible dates and nearby airports do more for the price than any coupon code.
- Compare the total cost, including bags, transfers and arrival time.
- Use search tools to compare, then check the airline's own site before you book.
Be flexible with your dates
If you can move your trip by a day or two, you'll often see a big difference. Most flight search tools let you view a whole month at once. Start there, pick the cheap days, then check the details.
Try the airports nearby
The airport closest to you isn't always the cheapest, and the cheapest destination airport isn't always the one nearest your hotel. Compare two or three, then work out what it costs and how long it takes to get to each one. A cheap fare to a distant airport can be wiped out by a taxi.
Look at the total price
Low-cost airlines make their money on extras. Before you pay, add the checked bag, the cabin bag if it's charged, seat selection and any payment fees. Then compare that figure against a full-service airline, which often includes more.
Compare, then book direct
Search engines are good for comparing. When you've found a fare you like, look at the airline's own website too. Booking direct usually makes changes and refunds simpler, because you're dealing with one company, not two.
Be sceptical about coupon codes
Pages promising '$50 off any flight' are usually thin on detail. Airlines rarely publish codes that cut fares by large amounts. The reliable savings are in the ticket itself: dates, routes, baggage and timing.
Don't wait for a last-minute bargain
For popular routes and busy periods, prices tend to climb as the date gets closer. If your dates are fixed, set a fare alert, and book when the price looks fair rather than waiting for a perfect one.
Read the fare rules
The cheapest fare may not allow changes or refunds. If your plans might shift, paying a little more for a flexible fare can be the cheaper option in the end.
Next, read the flight planning guide for connections and travel-day buffers, and our pick of the three best flight search websites.
A quick way to compare two fares
Say one airline offers a low fare to a distant airport and another offers a slightly higher fare to the main one. Write down both totals: the fare, the bags, the transfer to town, and the cost of your time if you land late at night. People are often surprised how often the 'dearer' flight wins.
Mistakes we see all the time
- Typing a name that doesn't match the passport, which can mean a paid correction.
- Booking two separate tickets for a connection with very little time between them.
- Forgetting that a transit country may need its own visa or authorisation.
- Treating a price alert as a promise. It tells you the price moved, not that it will keep falling.
Do clearing cookies or private windows help?
You'll hear that airlines raise prices when you search repeatedly. The evidence is mixed, and prices mostly change because seats sell. It costs nothing to compare in a private window, but don't base your plan on it.