How to find cheap flights: a practical, no-gimmicks guide
There is no secret button that unlocks a cheap fare. Airline prices are set by systems that react to demand, competition and how full a flight is. What you can do is give yourself more options — and the more options you are willing to consider, the more likely you are to find a good one. Here are the habits that genuinely help.
1. Be flexible with dates
Flexibility is the single most powerful tool you have. Moving a departure by a day or two, or flying midweek instead of on a Friday or Sunday, can change the price noticeably on many routes, because demand is uneven across the week.
On Farerly, the month view on the search page shows indicative prices across a whole month for your route, so you can spot cheaper days before running a live search. Tap any day to search it.
2. Check nearby airports
Many cities have more than one airport, and many regions have several within reach. Search the city code where possible — NYC for New York, LON for London, PAR for Paris — to compare them together. Then add the cost and time of getting to each airport: a cheaper fare from an airport far away can cost more in the end.
See our guides to New York, London and Los Angeles for examples.
3. Compare one-ways with round trips
On many routes, especially with low-cost airlines, two one-way tickets can cost the same as or less than a round trip, and they let you mix airlines and airports. On some long-haul routes, though, round trips are still priced better. It is worth checking both.
A note of caution: if you book separate tickets and the first flight is delayed, the second airline usually has no obligation to help you. Leave generous connection times on self-built itineraries.
4. Use multi-city (open-jaw) trips
Flying into one city and home from another often costs about the same as a simple round trip and saves you a day of backtracking. Farerly’s multi-city search lets you add up to four flights.
5. Do the baggage math
The cheapest fare on the screen is not always the cheapest trip. Basic economy and ultra-low-cost fares often exclude a full-size carry-on, checked bags, seat selection and changes. Add up what you will actually need, then compare. Farerly’s results include a filter to exclude basic economy fares so you can compare like for like. Our carry-on rules guide explains what to look for.
6. Consider one stop instead of nonstop
Nonstop flights are convenient, and on many routes they are worth paying for. But on long-haul routes a one-stop itinerary through another hub can sometimes be cheaper. Decide how much your time is worth to you, and check that the connection time is comfortable.
7. Book at a sensible time
There is no magic day of the week to buy tickets. What matters more is how far ahead you book relative to demand: popular holiday dates fill early, while ordinary dates often have reasonable options for a while. Our best time to book article covers this in detail.
8. Look at deals from your city
If you are flexible about where you go, start with the destination. Farerly’s deals pages show the cheapest indicative one-way fares recently found from popular cities — for example New York, London, Miami or Lagos. Treat them as inspiration: prices change and must be confirmed on the partner site.
What does not reliably work
- Clearing cookies or browsing privately to lower prices. Prices change frequently on their own, which can look like tracking; there is little evidence that clearing cookies changes fares in a consistent way.
- Waiting for a guaranteed last-minute bargain. On busy routes, prices often rise close to departure rather than fall.
- “Skiplagging” (hidden-city ticketing). Booking a flight with a connection and leaving at the connection point breaks most airlines’ terms of carriage and can lead to cancelled tickets or loyalty account penalties. We do not recommend it.
Know the fare types
Many airlines now sell the same seat in several “fare families”, such as basic, standard, flexible and premium. The cheapest fare may not include a carry-on, seat selection, changes or loyalty miles. The flexible fare may be refundable. Comparing only the lowest headline prices can hide which option actually suits you. Before buying, open the fare details and ask: what is included, what can I change, and what happens if my plans change?
Loyalty programmes and credit card points
If you fly often, airline loyalty programmes and travel credit cards can provide value through award flights, free bags or upgrades. They work best when you focus on one airline or alliance. Award seat availability and the number of points needed vary a lot, so treat points as one more option to compare alongside cash fares rather than a guaranteed saving. Avoid paying more for a cash fare just to earn points unless you are sure you will use them.
Traveling as a group or family
When booking several travelers, airlines sometimes price everyone at the fare level available for the whole group. If only one seat is left at a lower level, a search for four people may show a higher price for all four. Searching for fewer travelers can reveal this, but splitting a booking means you may not be seated together and are managed as separate reservations. For families with children, keeping everyone on one booking is usually simpler.
A simple step-by-step routine
- Decide your must-haves: dates, airports you are happy to use, bags, nonstop or not.
- Open the month view and note the cheaper days for your route.
- Search those days with city codes to include all nearby airports.
- Check one-way and multi-city alternatives.
- Add bags and seats to the top two or three options.
- Compare the same itinerary on partner sites before booking.
- After booking, set a reminder to check in and review any schedule changes.
Explore ideas from Toronto, Sydney or Dubai if you are flexible on destination.
Mind the connection time
Cheap itineraries sometimes come with very short or very long layovers. A tight connection can be risky if your first flight is late; an overnight layover can mean a hotel bill. Check the layover length and whether you need to change terminals or clear immigration before choosing a fare.
Frequently asked questions
Do comparison sites show every airline?
Not always. Some airlines limit where their fares appear, so it can be worth checking an airline’s own site too.
Is it safe to book through an online travel agency?
Reputable agencies are widely used. Read their terms on changes and refunds, and know who to contact if something goes wrong.
Why did the price change when I went to book?
Fares update constantly, and cached prices can be out of date. Always confirm the live price before paying.
Are budget airlines worth it?
Often, for short trips with light luggage. Do the full bag and seat math first.
Use price comparison, then book with care
Compare several sources, then read the fare rules before paying: what bags are included, whether changes are allowed and at what cost, and the total price for all travelers. Farerly compares prices; when you choose a partner such as Aviasales or Kiwi.com you book directly with them, and they handle payment, changes and refunds.
Compare flights
Compare live prices with our partners Affiliate — links open a one-way search about a month out; change dates on the partner site. Disclosure.
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