With the warm weather here and #EuroSummer photos taking over our Instagram feeds summer travel is definitely on our brains…buttttt so is saving money. The good news: it is possible to not blow your entire savings on travel–that is if you know how to book smart.
So let’s start with the flight! Here’s our guide to actually finding the best cheap flights when traveling:
What website actually has the cheapest flights?
Many different websites offer great options for cheap flights, so your best bet is to look at few different sites and compare the prices. Some of the best websites to peruse include:
- Google Flights
- Kayak
- Expedia
- Skyscanner
- Kiwi
- BookWithMatrix
- momondo
What are the cheapest days to fly?
When booking a flight you may be wondering what days do flights get cheaper? Well, according to Skyscanner flights are typically cheaper midweek.
That means you’ll want to look for flights that take off or land Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Flights that take off and land on weekends, Mondays, or Fridays are generally more expensive.
Flight expert Scott Keyes, on the other hand, says that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
What’s the cheapest month to fly?
January is typically the cheapest month to fly, with February a close second.
What are the cheapest times to fly?
Red-eye flights (flights that depart late at night and arrive early in the morning) are usually cheaper than flights that depart during the day. This is because airlines offer lower prices to encourage more travelers to fly during off-hours to reduce daytime demand.
What are the most popular months to fly?
The most popular times to fly are typically summer months (June, July, and August) and major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
What’s the cheapest day of the week to book a flight?
Believe it or not even the day you actually book your flight can affect how much money you’ll have to cough up. And while it’s definitely not a fixed formula the cheapest day of the week to book a flight is typically Tuesday. A Tuesday afternoon at 3 pm is even better!
Why, you ask? Well, many airlines release their airfare sales on Monday nights or Tuesday mornings, and by mid-afternoon other airlines have caught on and matched those sale prices. Therefore, you’ll have the widest range of deals to choose from on Tuesday afternoons.
Do flight prices go down closer to the date of departure?
Some people think it’s cheaper to buy flight tickets last minute, others want to book their flight as early as possible to avoid the risk of the plane filling up.
According to FareCompare, those looking to book a cheap flight should follow these parameters:
- US Tickets – Book your flight between 3 months and 30 days before departure
- International Tickets – Book your flight between five and a half months and one and a half months before departure
Are non-stop flights more expensive?
While non-stop flights are definitely more convenient, connecting flights typically offer better deals–sometimes with savings of up to 50%!
For more of our travel guides, check out:
- New Digital NY ID Makes Airport Check-In A Breeze
- You Can Officially Renew Your Passport Online Again (Yes, That Means You Don’t Have To Mail It In)
- How To Apply For Your First U.S. Passport As An Adult
- The 6-Month Passport Rule Every Traveler Should Know About
- U.S. Passport Holders Visiting Europe Next Year Will Need A Special Travel Authorization
- The 90/180-Day Rule Every Traveler Headed To Europe Should Know About