Airfare is often one of the most expensive parts of traveling. However, there are ways to make flying affordable these days. Here are a few tips to help you find the cheapest flights to your next destination
Don’t Be Afraid of Budget Airlines
Sure you won't be flying luxuriously and
you definitely won't have much legroom, but budget airlines are great for
getting you from point A to point B on a budget. RyanAir is by far the most
famous budget airline in Europe (and maybe the world), connecting 33 countries
across the continent for as little as $9 one way. Other popular budget airlines
in Europe include EasyJet, Vueling, WizzAir, and GermanWings. Wow Air and
Norwegian Airlines (my favorite!) connect Europe to several major US cities
such as Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Fort Lauderdale, and
Orlando. If you're looking for cheap
flights within the US or to Latin America, check out Spirit Airlines, JetBlue,
Frontier, or Southwest Airlines.
Use the Right Sources
 |
| Skyscanner |
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| Google Flights |
Personally, my favorite sources for finding
cheap flights are Google Flights and Skyscanner. Google Flights is really easy
to use and quickly compares prices for a variety of airlines. It also has a
cool map feature that allows you to look at flight prices across the world. Skyscanner
is very similar to Google Flights, just with slightly different features. Skyscanner allows you to search for flights to “Everywhere” and shows you a
list of destinations with the cheapest flights. Overall, I have found Google
Flights works best for finding international and US domestic flights, while
Skyscanner is better for finding flights within Europe.
Another great source is an app called
Hopper. Hopper allows you to track the prices of flights you’re interested in
and whenever the price goes down, you'll get a notification. This app is great
when you’re planning on booking an international flight and want to get the
best deal possible with minimal effort.
Be Flexible, Be Smart, Be Prepared
When looking for the flight deals,
it’s best to be flexible. Of course this isn't always possible, but if you can
swing leaving a few days earlier/later than originally planned, you can save
quite a bit of money. Also, keep in mind you don't have to fly round trip on
the same airline. Sometimes it's cheaper to book a one way ticket on one
airline and then a return ticket with another airline. Just remember, remaining
flexible is key!
Before you book your ticket, be sure to
double check the location of the airports you're flying in and out of. Budget
airlines typically fly into smaller airports to save money. However, these
smaller airports can be as far as two hours away from your destination. Typically
these airports are well connected by bus or train so it's easy to get to your
final destination, you just want to be prepared for some extra travel time.
Once you have found a plane ticket and are
ready to buy it, be smart and make sure you ALWAYS purchase it directly from
the airline’s website. Booking through third parties often involves hidden
fees, which can greatly increase the cost of your ticket.
Now that you have purchased your plane
ticket, it's time to start preparing. Make sure you read up on your airline’s
check in procedures and luggage restrictions. A lot of budget airlines make
their money by charging outrageous fees for checking in at the airport or
carrying on a bag that is too large. So make sure you print your ticket at home
and don't over pack! Also, be sure to stock up on some snacks at the airport
before boarding the plane. Although most budget airlines do serve food on board,
it's usually pretty pricey.
Sign Up for Promotions and Rewards
Yes, it’s annoying getting dozens of emails a
day from airlines, but it's worth it because most times, these emails contain
exclusive promotions that can save you lots of money. For example, one email I
received from Spirit Airlines contained a promo code for a round trip flight to
Chicago for only $80! Also, be sure to sign up for airlines’ reward programs so
you can accumulate points/miles. These programs are usually free to join so, why
not? Eventually you can exchange those points/miles for free flights!
Written by: Lauren Stuart
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