When it comes to travel, the cost of plane tickets is often the #1 hurdle for most people. The allure of exploring new places and experiencing different cultures is undeniable, yet the high price of airline tickets can quickly put a damper on those dreams.
However, what many people don’t realize is that flying doesn’t always have to break the bank. With a few strategic tricks and a bit of flexibility, you can often find affordable options—even if your travel plans require a little bit of adjustment. In this post I’ll show you how I find cheap plane tickets by using a few examples within Google Flights.
If you are looking for more travel tips you can find those here.
Date Flexibility
Being flexible with your travel dates is one of the most effective ways to save on plane tickets. Airlines price flights based on demand, which means that traveling during peak times, like weekends, holidays, or school vacation periods, often comes with higher costs. By choosing to fly mid-week, typically on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, or by adjusting your travel plans to avoid high-demand seasons, you can often find significantly cheaper fares.
Example 1: I want to book a 6 day trip from Atlanta to Europe and I’m open to the destination & which specific days depending on the price.
- Set your parameters and hover of your destination area.
- Select a 6 day period that works for you.
- Continue to adjust the dates until you see a price and area that aligns with your budget. Keep in mind the price of hotels in some of the cheaper to fly to places. it may be more inexpensive to fly to Helsinki but the hotels can run $150+ a night.
Example 2: I want to fly to Paris for an 8 day trip but sometime around June.
- Select your destinations & initial dates.
- From here you can adjust your dates to change pricing.
- In this example you can see if I choose to take my trip at the start of May I can get a round trip ticket from Atlanta to Paris for $661 vs $982+ in June.
Using Two Separate Plane Tickets
This method can be tricky but if done correctly, can save you tons of money. Although this method doesn’t work for everyone, I find it helps more people who are traveling on one way tickets. This way you minimize your chances of canceled or delayed flights interfering with your travels.
Example: I want to travel from Atlanta to Santorini, Greece on a one way ticket. However, if I purchase a ticket from ATL to JTR it cost $1297.00. However, if I purchase a ticket from Atlanta to Lisbon and separate ticket from Lisbon to Santorini, I’ll save $793.
Pros:
- You can save substantial amounts depending on your final destination.
- You may get to explore more places depending on your itinerary.
Cons:
- If you have delays on your first ticket and you miss your 2nd flight, there is nothing that can be done as they are two separate tickets.
- Potential for long layovers
- You must give yourself enough buffer time for your next flight. This can be upwards of a few hours or a whole day. It all depends on what you are comfortable with.
Keep in mind, when it comes to air travel, the cheaper the price usually means the longer your journey will be. If you have time you are willing to sacrifice to save money, then your money saving options open up greatly.
Using Another City As Your Entry & Exit Point
By using a larger city or airport as your entry & exit point, you can save yourself quite a bit of money. I use this method quite often.
Example: I want to book a round trip ticket from Atlanta to Cologne, Germany. However, a round trip ticket costs $1,581. BUT I can book a round trip ticket to Frankfurt for $762 and then take a 2 hour train for $20. In total I can save upwards of $799 just by flying into a larger airport that’s close by.
Pros:
- You save money!
Cons:
- You need to travel back to your entry city which can eat up travel time depending on how far your journey was.
- This method only works for destinations that can be easily accessed from the airport of your choice. If it’s going to take you 10+ hours by bus to each your final destination, it may be best to fly directly to your destination.
Check Plane Ticket Pricing History & Set Alerts
Google Flights is a powerful tool for finding affordable flights, setting alerts, and checking price trends. Start by entering your route and dates, and use the calendar to spot cheaper days. To stay updated, toggle on “Track prices” for email alerts on fare changes.
Google Flights also provides insights on whether current fares are typical, high, or low compared to past averages, helping you decide if it’s the right time to book. Use the Date Grid and Price Graph features to quickly visualize the cheapest travel dates and monitor fare trends over time, making it easier to secure the best deal.
Website You Can Use To Find Cheap Plane Tickets
Finding affordable flights can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but with the right tools, it’s much easier to find travel deals and make those dream destinations a reality. Today, there are numerous websites that help you track prices, compare airlines, and even alert you to flash sales and error fares.
Here are some websites you can use to help find the cheap tickets you are looking for.
- Google Flights – Offers flexible date searches, price tracking, and fare insights.
- Skyscanner – Compares prices across multiple airlines and travel agencies.
- Kayak – Includes a flexible date tool and price alert option.
- Momondo – Searches lesser-known sites and often finds unique deals.
- Hopper – Uses data to predict price changes and suggest when to book.
- Priceline – Known for its “Name Your Own Price” and Express Deal options.
- Expedia – Price tracking and discounts, especially if booking with hotels.
- CheapOair – Often offers exclusive discounts and seasonal deals.
- Going – Email subscription service that alerts users to flight deals.
- FareCompare – Compares different flights and highlights budget-friendly dates.
- Travelocity – A reliable platform with bundle options for more savings.
- Airfarewatchdog – Monitors deals and fare reductions, sending alerts for low fares.
Using Services Like CheapOair
Without a doubt on your journey to finding cheap plane tickets, you will see companies like CheapOair come across your radar. You will probably think “Wow! How are they charging 1/4th the price of other companies?”.
Companies like CheapOair can offer low-priced tickets by using a few clever strategies. They often buy tickets in bulk or negotiate directly with airlines for discounted rates, which helps keep prices competitive. These companies make use of dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust fares based on demand, ensuring that prices remain attractive. Revenue from partnerships, commissions, and add-ons like hotel bookings and travel insurance also allows them to keep ticket costs low.
I have personally used CheapOair a few times and had no problem. However, if you look up CheapOair, you will immediately find endless people that have had nightmares using their service.
I would only book a cheap plane ticket with CheapOair if I really had some flexibility and enough time to allow for any issues that may come up. You may save $200+ on the ticket but may end up spending it elsewhere due to complications. Booking directly with the airline is usually the safest bet.
Cheapest Days To Fly
The best days to fly for cheaper prices are generally Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mid-week flights are often less expensive than weekend flights because fewer people travel during these days, leading to lower demand. Also, hotel rooms are cheaper during the week allowing for more savings!
Here’s a quick rundown:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays – Typically the cheapest days for both domestic and international flights.
- Saturdays – Surprisingly, some Saturday flights can also be cheaper, especially for domestic routes, as it’s an off-peak travel day for business travelers.
- Avoid Fridays and Sundays – These are often the most expensive days to fly because of higher demand from weekend and business travelers.
What did we learn?
Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank if you’re strategic about booking flights. While high ticket prices often deter travelers, using a few tricks and remaining flexible with dates, destinations, and routes can lead to substantial savings. By opting to fly mid-week, like on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, or adjusting your travel dates to avoid peak seasons, you can access cheaper fares. Google Flights, for instance, lets you adjust parameters, view price history, and set alerts, providing insights to snag the best deals.
Sometimes, booking separate tickets through intermediate stops or entering through larger airports can save hundreds, though it requires accounting for possible delays and long layovers. Popular tools like Skyscanner, Kayak, Hopper, and Momondo also make it easier to find budget-friendly options by comparing fares and tracking changes. Sites like CheapOair can offer deep discounts, but using them requires flexibility, as they can be riskier compared to booking directly with airlines.
Ultimately, cheap travel is achievable with the right approach, patience, and use of resources designed for budget-conscious travelers. Good luck out there!
