Travelers are usually divided into two groups - the first books their vacation through a travel agency, which also handles the flights. The second group searches for and arranges flights and accommodation on their own. Regardless of which group you belong to, these tips for booking cheap flights and tricks from seasoned adventurers on the road might come in handy.
Prices of flight tickets change from day to day. The key is to decide how willing you are to step out of your comfort zone and compromise on your main requirements. Do you have one specific destination and date? Do you refuse to fly from any airport other than the one in your city? Or does booking at the last minute not stress you out?
I want Madrid, the second week of July, and only from Brno
Finding affordable flights to a specific destination, on a specific date, and from a specific airport is a real challenge. In this case, it definitely pays off to buy several months in advance. And by several months, we mean even half a year or three-quarters of a year. However, if you have a bit of a gambler in you, try waiting until a month before departure, when ticket prices drop rapidly as the number of passengers decreases. But it's not a guarantee!
I want to go in mid-November, I don't care where
Have you set aside two weeks for a vacation and don't have a specific country in mind that you want to see? Then we recommend regularly checking flight search engines about half a year before departure, such as Skyscanner, Honzovy letenky, Kiwi, Pelikán, or Azair. You can find flights at promotional prices for specific dates there, sometimes even the cheapest ones available. But you have to be quick and not think about it for too long.
I want to go to Canada, I don't care when
In this case, we also recommend following the aforementioned search engines. Just enter where you want to fly from and to, then browse through individual months and choose the best price. Given that you can fly within a range of three or more months, it doesn't pay to wait too long and buy the cheap ticket right away. The price for one specific destination probably won't change radically, and even half a year in advance, the price varies by thousands from day to day.
I don't care where, I don't care when
You are a lucky person! Our advice is - follow the Facebook and Instagram profiles of cheap flight search engines and airlines and set up notifications if they add something new. From these, we can recommend Ryanair, Wizz Air, jetBlue, easyJet, or smartwings. Promotional tickets appear there several times a day, usually because there are only a few seats left on the flight. However, the low price is often tied to a predetermined number of days; if you change it, the total amount will likely change as well.
A few simple tips on how to get the cheapest flights:
- Don't be afraid of layovers. Flights with multiple stops are often cheaper. You can enjoy a full day of sightseeing in the transit city.
- Try other airports. Airlines fly to different countries from every airport. Therefore, it pays to search for connections from multiple airports; in the case of the Czech Republic, flying from Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Vienna, or Bratislava can be an option. Flight search engines also have a feature to search from nearby airports, so don't hesitate to use it.
- Fly off-season. If you are visiting or want to visit the tropics, it doesn't pay to buy tickets for the monsoon season. However, exploring cities or the beauties of Alaska and Siberia is possible all year round.
- A carry-on bag is enough. You really don't need a large suitcase for a few days, for which you will pay the airlines another significant amount. A carry-on bag is usually included in the ticket price and can fit everything you need. Plan one outfit for each day, stuff your socks into your shoes, and you'll see that there will be plenty of space.
Where would we fly?
- During March from Vienna to Vietnam.
- From Prague anywhere with Qatar Airways.
- March weekends in Malaga.
- In February and March from Prague to Los Angeles.
You already know how to get the cheapest flights. Are you also clear on what luggage you will take into the world? If not, a review of the Travelite Capri carry-on suitcase, which we recently tested for you, can help you with choosing the right luggage.
And if preparations for your trip are already in full swing, you might be interested in the articles How to find cheap accommodation quickly and easily, How to have nice photos from your vacation, or why it's great to have a travel journal with you while exploring.
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