When searching for a flight, the number of options out there can be overwhelming. At times, the more you search, the more expensive the tickets seem to get! In this article, we’ve put together our best suggestions to help you get the cheapest flights for your trip as soon as possible.
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Use incognito mode.
This is one of the best tips to make sure you’re getting the lowest prices possible on airline ticket comparison websites. When you browse online, you’ll drop a ‘cookie’ which lets the website know if you leave the site and come back again. Using this can inflate prices if you’re seen to be browsing the same website again. Also, use this information to follow you around the Internet and advertise while you shop around. To get around this, you can use private browsing to stop airline comparison websites from being able to track you. This is called ‘incognito mode’ on Google Chrome, and this is the way you should always browse for your plane tickets online.
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Use several comparison websites.
As you start looking for the best flights, you’ll see many airline comparison websites appearing. These are a great place to start, and even Google has started to show flights as you begin searching. We recommend visiting at least two or three to make sure you see all the available flights around the dates you wish to fly. Skyscanner is the main one to check, often having the best range of flights available, as well as Travelo to book ryanair airtickets cheaply online.
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Try to avoid peak days.
If it’s possible to be flexible with your trip, we highly recommend trying to avoid flying between Friday, over the weekend, and Monday. These are the most in-demand days to fly for both leisure and business trips. The prices naturally inflate. Research has shown that Thursday is generally the cheapest day to fly on, but test out different date variations to find the cheapest outgoing and returning flights.
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Browse different locations.
As well as there being variation in the day you fly, if you have several airports within commuting distance, it may be worth checking the flights from all of them. It may be that your nearest airport doesn’t have the cheapest flights. If you travel just a little further, you may be able to save a significant amount of money. It’s up to you to decide if the additional commuting time is worth it. But then, if you’re saving several hundred dollars or have a tight budget, it’s definitely worth researching.
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Book in advance or last minute.
Booking well in advance, especially for long-haul flights, can save you hundreds. Booking as early as six months in advance or at least three months can have a significant impact on the prices available. You may see prices double or even triple for in-demand routes. If you’re looking for a flight that isn’t long haul though, and you’re less bothered about the location, keep an eye out for last minute deals. You may find a flight from the UK to Poland, for example, for less than £20 if you don’t mind a holiday on short notice.
Image Credits: Air Tickets from TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock