Latest flight deals we've found
Right at the top of this page, you’ll see a search bar where you can select your departure and destination airports, as well as potential dates. This is a great place to start your search so that you can get a glimpse of which airlines fly that route and what you can expect to pay at that time of year.
If you’re still very much in the ‘looking for inspiration’ stage and simply want some tips on how to find the best and cheapest air fares out there, then we delve into this (and more) below. From the cheapest airlines and airports to the cheapest days to fly, use these tips to ensure that you’re flying for cheap on your next holiday.
While national airlines do tend to have sales across the year, there are some low-cost airlines operating in the UK that tend to offer the cheapest fares.
Ryanair: In past years, this Irish airline seems to have the cheapest fares of them all, with constant promotions across hundreds of airports spread across Europe. Their cheapest offers usually range from £2 to £9.99 each way.
Easyjet: This English airline tends to use the main airports in destinations (compared to Ryanair) so you can expect that prices will be slightly higher but still relatively cheap.
Wizz Air: Growing steadily popular each year, Hungarian Wizz Air offers low fares across Europe, especially to destinations in Eastern Europe not covered by other airlines.
Finding cheap flights requires a mix of timing, flexibility, and strategy. Start by booking your tickets well in advance, ideally 6-8 weeks before your trip, as prices tend to rise closer to the departure date. Use flight comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to track and compare fares. Be flexible with your travel dates and times, as flying mid-week or during off-peak seasons often results in cheaper options. Additionally, setting up price alerts and being open to nearby airports can also help you snag the best deals.
For short-haul European flights, booking 6–8 weeks in advance typically gives you the best prices. For long-haul, 3–6 months ahead is a safer window. Mid-week departures — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday. January and February tend to be the most affordable months to fly, once the post-Christmas surge has passed.
London Stansted and Luton consistently offer the lowest fares thanks to a high concentration of budget carriers, particularly Ryanair and easyJet. Regional airports including Manchester, Bristol, and Birmingham can be competitive too, especially to popular European sun destinations. Always compare from your nearest airport — the savings on travel to London can outweigh the cheaper fare.
Not always. Comparison sites like Google Flights and Skyscanner are a good starting point, but it’s worth checking the airline’s own website directly — airlines occasionally offer exclusive fares or lower booking fees when you go direct. Flight Tribe monitors deals across multiple sources daily, so you don’t have to check everything yourself.
Ryanair and easyJet dominate on price for short-haul routes. Wizz Air offers competitive fares to Eastern Europe. For domestic UK flights, Flybe (in its current form) and Loganair serve regional routes that other carriers don’t. Keep in mind that budget fares often exclude hold luggage — factor in the extras before comparing headline prices.
Google Flights has a price tracking tool that sends email alerts when fares change on a specific route. Skyscanner’s price alerts work similarly. You can also bookmark Flight Tribe and check back regularly — we publish new deals every day, covering flash sales, error fares, and promotional rates as they appear.
