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There is no secret button that unlocks cheap flights, whatever the internet promises. What does work is a set of practical habits: being flexible where you can, comparing properly, understanding what is and is not included in a fare, and knowing your rights if something goes wrong. Here are ten approaches worth using, and a couple of popular myths you can safely forget.
1. Let your dates move
Flexibility is the single most powerful tool you have. Prices for the same route can vary a lot from one day to the next, so if you can shift your trip by a day or two, you may find a noticeably better fare.
Most flight search tools offer a fare calendar or "flexible dates" view that shows prices across a whole week or month. Use it before you settle on dates, not after. Flying early in the morning or late in the evening can also be cheaper than popular mid-day departures.
2. Check nearby airports
Many cities and regions are served by more than one airport, and some low-cost airlines prefer smaller ones. Search using the city or region rather than a single airport code, and widen your search to airports within a reasonable journey of your destination.
Remember to add the cost and time of getting to and from each airport. A cheaper fare to an airport far outside the city can lose its advantage once you pay for a long transfer.
3. Set price alerts
If your trip is weeks or months away, set price alerts on a few comparison tools for your route and dates. You will receive an email or notification when the price changes, which saves you checking every day and helps you spot a genuine dip when it happens.
4. Compare widely, then look at the airline's own site
Comparison sites are excellent for seeing which airlines fly your route and what the going rate is. Once you have found a good option, check the airline's own website too. Booking direct can make it easier to change or cancel, deal with disruption and manage seats and bags, and sometimes the price is the same or lower.
If you do book through a third party, read its change and cancellation terms carefully, as they may differ from the airline's.
5. Read the fare, not just the price
Low-cost fares are often low because they include very little. Before you compare two flights, check what each fare includes:
- Cabin bag size limits, and whether a larger cabin bag costs extra
- Checked baggage allowance
- Seat selection fees, which matter if you are travelling together
- Charges for checking in at the airport or printing boarding passes
- Change and cancellation rules
A fare that looks cheaper can easily cost more once a checked bag and seats are added, especially for families. Build your "real" price on the booking page with everything you need included, then compare.
6. Try one-way and open-jaw journeys
Return tickets are not always the best value. Two one-way tickets, possibly on different airlines, can sometimes cost less. An open-jaw trip, where you fly into one city and home from another, can also save money and time on a multi-stop holiday, because you avoid backtracking to your arrival airport.
Keep in mind that if you combine separate tickets yourself, the airlines are not responsible for your connection between them. Leave generous time between flights, or keep your journeys on separate days.
7. Travel in shoulder season
Fares usually follow demand, so flying in peak school holidays and around major festivals tends to cost more. Shoulder season, the period just before or after the busiest months, often brings lower fares along with pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Our list of 10 ways to save money when you travel covers more timing ideas.
8. Ignore the cookie and incognito myth
A widely shared claim says airlines raise prices because they can see you searching repeatedly, and that browsing in incognito mode will show lower fares. There is no solid evidence that this is a common practice. Prices change because seats sell and fares are adjusted constantly, which can make it seem as though your searches pushed them up.
Searching in a private window does no harm, but do not expect it to unlock hidden fares. Your time is better spent checking flexible dates and alternative airports.
9. There is no magic booking day
You may have heard that one particular weekday or time is always the cheapest moment to buy a ticket. In reality, airline pricing is dynamic and does not follow a simple weekly rule. What matters more is booking within a sensible window for your type of trip, and acting when you see a fare that fits your budget rather than waiting for a perfect moment that may never come.
10. Use the rules that protect you
Knowing your rights can save money when plans change or flights go wrong.
The US 24-hour rule
For flights to, from or within the United States, the US Department of Transportation requires airlines to let you either hold a reservation without payment or cancel without penalty within 24 hours of booking, as long as you book at least seven days before departure. Check which option your airline offers. It gives you a short safety net if you spot a better fare straight after booking.
Delay and cancellation rights
If you fly from the UK or the EU, or with a UK or EU airline into those areas, passenger rights rules (often called UK261 and EU261) can entitle you to care, rerouting and, in some cases, compensation for long delays, cancellations or denied boarding. Exceptions apply for extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather. Other countries have their own rules, so look up the regulations that apply to your journey and keep receipts for any expenses.
Pair cheaper flights with a cheaper stay
Flights are only half the cost of most trips. Once your fare is booked, our guide to saving real money on hotel bookings will help with the rest, and if you are heading somewhere sunny, our guide to the Canary Islands is a good place to start.
Key takeaways
- Use fare calendars and be flexible by a day or two
- Search nearby airports, but count the transfer cost
- Set price alerts and compare widely before checking the airline direct
- Price bags and seats into every fare you compare
- Consider one-way and open-jaw tickets, with care over self-made connections
- Ignore incognito and "magic day" myths
- Know the US 24-hour rule and UK/EU passenger rights
Frequently asked questions
Does clearing cookies make flights cheaper?
There is no solid evidence that it does. Fares change frequently because of demand and seat availability, which can look like a price rise caused by your searches.
How far ahead should I book flights?
There is no single rule that fits every route. Start watching prices early, set alerts, and book when you see a fare that suits your budget, especially for peak dates when seats sell out.
Are budget airlines always cheaper?
Not always. Once you add bags, seats and other extras, a full-service airline can sometimes cost the same or less. Compare the complete price for what you actually need.
