Dreaming of budget-friendly escapes abroad? Flight Tribe’s travel hacks for cheaper flights can save you up to £150 by mastering smart booking strategies and choosing the cheapest days to fly.
Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a couple planning a romantic getaway, or a family seeking an affordable holiday, these tips make finding cheap flights straightforward and stress-free.
View the flight deals we’ve found to kickstart your adventure without breaking the bank.
Why Timing Unlocks Cheap Flights
Timing your booking and travel dates is the foundation of low fares. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, day, and season. Here’s how to get it right:
- Book 6-8 Weeks Ahead: According to Expedia, travellers who booked at the last minute spent up to 24% more on their tickets than those who booked at least 28 days before departure.
- Fly Midweek: Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer fares 10-20% lower than weekends. A Tuesday flight to Madrid costs £50 vs. £70 on Sunday.
- Target Shoulder Seasons: April, May, September, and October have lower demand. A London-Tirana flight can be as low as £39, compared to £140 in July.
- Choose Off-Peak Hours: Flights that depart before 3 pm are ideal. Early morning or red-eye flights can save travellers upwards of 15%, such as a London-Venice journey being £35 at 6 am and £50 at midday.
Timing hacks are a quick, simple way to make significant savings on your holiday. Try to find the low-demand periods, book well in advance, and you’ll outsmart airline pricing.
Top Hacks for Finding Cheaper Flights
With the hacks that we’ve put together at Flight Tribe, you can beat fare hikes wherever you’re going. Try these:
- Use Flight Comparison Tools: Skyscanner and Kayak scan hundreds of airlines, uncovering deals like £39 returns to Albania. Set price alerts to save £20-£50.
- Browse Incognito: Airlines have been known to raise prices based on the user’s search history. By using private browsing, you can prevent this.
- Mix and Match Airlines: Book one-way tickets with different carriers. A Ryanair outbound to Venice (£25) and an easyJet return (£30) will save you £40 compared to a £95 return with either airline.
- Fly to Nearby Airports: Secondary airports like Milan Bergamo are often 20% cheaper than larger ones like Malpensa. It’s a good idea to verify transport costs before you decide to do this.
- Join Fare Clubs: easyJet’s newsletter or Ryanair’s Fare Finder offer discounts.
- Embrace Layovers: Indirect flights can save you up to 25%. A London-Bangkok flight with a Dubai layover might cost £320, compared to a £450 direct trip.
- Hunt Error Fares: Secret Flying lists airline pricing mistakes that you can take advantage of, such as getting a London-New York one-way ticket for £44.
- Book in Local Currency: Booking in the destination’s currency (e.g., euros for Spain) can be cost-effective due to exchange rates.
- Use Stopover Programmes: Airlines like Emirates offer free city tours or hotel stays during layovers, saving £50-£100 on short trips.
Employ as many of these hacks as you can when making your holiday plans. Airlines have a number of pricing quirks that can be exploited, maximising savings without sacrificing comfort.
Cheapest Days to Fly
Midweek travel is a budget traveller’s best friend. Here are the days you should look to fly on when you next go on holiday:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Low demand on these days sees fares reduced significantly.
- Avoid Fridays and Sundays: Peak days inflate prices by up to 25%.
- Early or Late Flights: Red-eye or 6 am flights can save you up to 15% or more.
- Midweek Perks: Fewer business travellers mean more seats. Ryanair often includes free seat selection on Wednesday fares to certain countries.
Explore midweek deals on Flight Tribe’s cheap flights page.
Best Times to Book for Savings
Booking at the right moment is crucial to making savings on your holiday. Make sure you know well in advance when the optimal time will be, and don’t miss the date!
- Domestic Flights: Book 4-8 weeks out for 15-20% savings.
- International Flights: Book 2-3 months ahead for up to 30% off.
- Last-Minute Deals: These are risky but certainly possible. easyJet’s fares may drop 10% a week before the flights, but seats can be limited.
- Holiday Seasons: Book 4-6 months out for Christmas or summer to avoid £100-£200 surcharges.
With enough early planning, you can lock in the lowest fares. Last-minute deals are out there, but they should never be relied upon. Book early and avoid the stress.
Avoiding Hidden Fees
Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air offer low fares but often don’t include extras. Use the tips listed below to avoid these fees and keep your flight costs low:
- Baggage Limits: Stick to carry-on sizes, such as Ryanair’s 40x20x25cm limit, to avoid high fees.
- Booking Direct: Skip third-party fees (£5-£15) by booking on airline sites rather than price comparison ones.
- Skip Seat Selection: Random seats are free, whereas selecting your own can cost upwards of £20.
- Online Check-In: Avoid £55 desk fees by checking in via airline apps 24-48 hours prior to departure.
- Priority Boarding: Skip £6-£20 fees unless overhead space is critical.
By knowing what to avoid and staying vigilant during the booking process, you can keep your costs low without any nasty surprises.
Maximising Layovers for Savings and Fun
Layovers are not only excellent ways to keep costs down, but also open up new locations for exploration and adventure. A 12-hour layover in Dubai on a London-Bangkok flight not only saves you over £100, but also gives you the chance to explore Dubai for free if flying with Emirates.
Qatar Airways, like Emirates, also offers complimentary hotel stays or tours for layovers over 8 hours, which can save a further £100 on accommodation costs. In Lisbon, a 10-hour layover lets you visit Belém Tower or stroll Alfama for free. Before you commit to a layover, however, it’s worth checking visa rules and airport transport, avoiding any unwelcome surprises.
Insider Tips for Smarter Travel
Beyond the well-known tricks, these insider strategies from savvy travellers and Flight Tribe’s own experts can help you outsmart dynamic airline pricing and maximise your travel budget.
- Use ‘Anywhere’ Search Tools: Not picky about where to go? Use Skyscanner’s functions to show the cheapest destinations from your chosen airport.
- Flexible Dates: Skyscanner also has a ‘Cheapest Month’ tool, which allows you to find the months with the cheapest flights.
- Avoid Peak Seasons: Where possible, try to avoid summer holidaying. February and October trips are far cheaper due to lower demand.
- Check Nearby Returns: Returning to the UK from Girona rather than Barcelona, for example, can be the cheaper option.
- Use Points: If possible, convert credit card points for flights.
See our budget travel guide for an in-depth walkthrough of saving money while travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest days to fly. It’s best to book early-morning or red-eye flights, where you’re more likely to have access to perks like free seat selection.
Book 6-8 weeks ahead for domestic flights and 2-3 months for international ones. For Christmas or summer, book 4-6 months in advance to avoid any costly surcharges.
Use Skyscanner or Kayak, set price alerts, fly midweek, and choose secondary airports (so long as further transport to your accommodation is not too costly). Flexible dates, error fare sites like Secret Flying, and mixing airlines boost savings.
Book directly with airlines rather than on flight comparison sites, use incognito mode on your browser, opt for layovers, and join fare clubs. These can cut costs by 30% or more in total.
