There is no secret button that makes flights cheap. What does work is a handful of habits that, together, nudge the price in your favour. None of them needs an app or a newsletter subscription.
1. Decide what is truly fixed
Before you search, write down which parts of the trip cannot move. Everything else – the day you leave, the airport, even the time of day – is a lever you can pull.
2. Look at the whole week, not one day
Prices for the same route can swing noticeably between neighbouring days. Midweek departures are frequently the calmer, cheaper choice.
3. Widen the map
If a second airport is within a reasonable drive or train ride, include it. The saving on a family booking can easily cover the extra travel.
4. Do not fear a good connection
A single, sensibly timed stop is often far less expensive than a direct flight. The key word is sensibly – more on that in our layover guide.
5. Price the extras before you compare
Bags, seat selection and meals are bundled differently by every carrier. Add them up first; the cheapest-looking fare is not always the cheapest trip.
6. Book in the comfortable window
For most leisure routes, somewhere between one and three months ahead is a sensible time to commit. For school holidays and festivals, start earlier.
7. Let someone else do the legwork
A planner who looks at fares every day will spot options that are easy to miss. Asking costs nothing – just tell us what you have in mind.