How to Find Cheap Flights – 22 Insider Tips, Tricks and Travel Industry Secrets
Learn how to find cheap flights with 22 expert tips, tricks, and hidden travel hacks to save money on your next trip.
Let’s be honest, finding cheap flights can sometimes be frustrating. Between endless websites, fluctuating prices, and confusing hacks, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you want to save money in 2026, learning how to find cheap flights is essential.
I like to class myself as a professional cheap flight finder and always make the most of the fares I discover. Over the years, I’ve figured out exactly how to find cheap flights without spending hours glued to my screen. I’ve flown return to Milan and London for €20, Barcelona for €36, Manila to Bali for €33, and from Australia to Dublin for just €500 one way at Christmas time, when prices are usually over €1,000!
I’ve rounded up 22 of my favourite tips on how to find cheap flights, insider tricks, and industry secrets to help you score the best deals, no matter where you’re going or when you want to travel. Whether you’re booking months in advance or searching for last-minute getaways, knowing how to find cheap flights can save you hundreds, if not thousands, every year.
1. Use Flight Search Engines like Skyscanner
Honestly, I’m not sure how we ever found cheap flights before Skyscanner and Google Flights came along – they make it so much easier! With features like flexible search options for “Everywhere” or “Anytime,” you can quickly find the cheapest flights to almost any destination, any time of year. Plus, if you’re tracking a specific route on certain dates, just set up fare alerts. Skyscanner will notify you when the price drops, so you can book at the lowest prices possible.
I’m not a huge fan of Google flights but I know some people prefer it to Skyscanner , It’s the same concept so try both and see which one you prefer.
Top tip: Use Skyscanner and Google flights to search but always book directly on the airlines website.
2. Flexibility is Key
One of the most effective ways to understand how to find cheap flights is to remain flexible with travel dates and departure times. The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the better your chances of finding a bargain especially, if your only open to one destination. If possible, try to keep your dates flexible by at least +/-3 days to give yourself access to the best fares. Even shifting your trip by a day or two can make a big difference in price.
Top tip: Use tools like Skyscanner’s “whole month” or “cheapest month” search options to easily spot the lowest fares across a wider date range.
3. Book at the Right Time
Booking your flights at the right time is crucial, but often overlooked, and it can make a huge difference in price. So, when exactly is the best time to book flights?
Usually between 2 and 8 months in advance of travel is the best time to book international flights – that’s when you’re most likely to find the best deals. Book early whenever possible, especially in peak season; flights often go on sale up to 11 months in advance.
Last minute bargains can pop up in low season, especially with budget carriers. You are less likely to avail of them if your travel dates or destinations are fixed, but if you are flexible, you might get lucky and snag a great last-minute fare.
Generally, the cheapest times to travel tend to be January, late April (after Easter), May, late September, early October, and early to mid-December. Booking late can sometimes lead to bargains, especially in the shoulder seasons, but it’s not always guaranteed.
Keep in mind there are exceptions: mid-December tends to be popular for long-haul Christmas travel, and prices for Christmas market breaks or city trips usually go up during that period.
4. Check a Nearby Airport
This trick works especially well for European travel. For instance, if you are planning to visit Vienna, Austria but the flight prices are sky-high, check flights into Bratislava, Slovakia instead. It’s just a short bus ride to Vienna, and you can even turn it into a multi-city trip. The same idea works for cities like Amsterdam and Brussels or Paris, or the Baltic capitals of Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius.
Flixbus offer low bus fares between loads of cities within Europe.
It’s not just about your destination though, this also works for your departure city too. For example, if you live in Dublin, Meath, Louth or Monaghan it might be worth checking flights from Belfast instead of Dublin. The North of Ireland has different school holidays and bank holidays to the rest of Ireland, which can affect flight prices and potentially save you money. I flew from Belfast on one occasion and saved nearly €250pp!
5. Be Open to Different Destinations
If you can’t be flexible with your travel dates, try to be flexible with your destination. For example, if you’re looking to fly to Portugal but find the prices too high, try checking flights to Spain instead, sometimes that can save you a significant amount.
The same goes for Greece, instead of just searching for flights to a particular island, compare prices across multiple islands to find the cheapest option. Being open to nearby destinations can unlock a good deal, and even give you the chance to discover places you hadn’t considered before.
6. Use Points, Miles, or Loyalty Programmes
Collecting airline miles such as Avios is a great way to save money on flights. You can use them to part-pay for flights or even get free flights – just pay the taxes and fees. Best of all, you don’t need to be a frequent flyer to start benefiting.
Avios is a reward currency used by several major airlines, including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and Qatar Airways. You can collect Avios points not only when you fly with these airlines but also through everyday purchases, hotel stays, car rentals, and even by using certain credit cards linked to their programs.
If you haven’t already, sign up for a frequent flyer programs like AerClub (Aer Lingus), Executive Club (British Airways), or Privilege Club (Qatar Airways). It’s free to join, and your points can quickly add up — even with occasional travel.
Top Tip: Always check your credit card provider for any special offers and rewards.
Read: 10 Ways to Collect Avios
Read: The Beginners Guide to AerClub – And Why You Should Join.
7. Sign Up for Mailing Lists
Many flight companies send special offers and promo codes in their newsletters, so make sure to subscribe to your favourite airlines and local airport’s newsletters.
There are also travel companies that offer this service including The Travel Expert, so sign up for our fortnightly newsletter now, and get holiday deals and inspiration, route announcements and seat sales, straight to your inbox.
8. Consider Budget Airlines for Long haul
We are fortunate that many budget airlines now offer long haul services. While there are not many options from Ireland, there are plenty from the UK and across Asia. They are not the most comfortable and you usually do not get a TV or food, but if you are prepared for this, you can save a significant amount of money. Airlines such as Norse fly from London to Thailand for very little, AirAsia offers affordable flights between Australia and Asia, and Scoot operates low cost routes between Singapore, Europe and Australia.
I have personally flown with AirAsia from Sydney to Phuket and Scoot, which is part of Singapore Airlines, from Sydney to Athens, saving hundreds of euros. As long as you are prepared with a fully charged device to watch films, along with snacks, water, and a small blanket and pillow, the journey is perfectly manageable.
9. Choose New Routes
Always check your local airport for new routes, as they are often great value before everyone catches on. Early interest means airlines are keen to attract passengers, so fares tend to be lower and availability better. Once word spreads and the destination gains attention, prices usually rise, especially when people start looking for recommendations and travel inspiration.
Read: New Flight Routes From Ireland For 2026
10. Book One-Way Tickets with Different Airlines
We’re lucky in Ireland to have access to many airlines flying to destinations all over the world. Sometimes, it can be cheaper and more convenient to fly out with one airline and return with another. This approach can help you get better flight times or prices, as one airline might offer a better deal on the outbound journey, while another has a better return fare.
For example, you might choose Ryanair for your outbound flight and Aer Lingus for your return, or vice versa, depending on price.
Top Tip: Make sure to check the luggage rules for both airlines, as they can differ.
For long-haul flights, consider airlines like Turkish Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways when flying to Australia or Asia.
Read: Review of Qatar Airways
11. Don’t forget Travel Agents
Travel agents are often overlooked, especially with so many online options – but they shouldn’t be! Many agents have access to exclusive discounts, special rates, and insider deals you won’t find on flight comparison sites. Plus, they have the tools, experience, and industry know-how to spot the best value, navigate tricky itineraries, and find options you might miss. It’s always worth checking with an agent, especially for long-haul trips or multi-stop journeys.
12. Be Savvy with Your Baggage
Most airlines now charge for any kind of baggage so the easiest way to keep your flight cost down is to travel light! You could end up paying anywhere from €30 to €120 extra depending on your route and size of luggage you want to take. The viral Ryanair under-the-seat bag is an absolute lifesaver for any trip and it fits the allowance perfectly, so you won’t have to pay extra luggage fees.
Read: My Top Travel Essentials
Aer Lingus include a free 10kg checked bag with all flights to Europe, so it is worth remembering this when comparing flight prices with airlines who charge to check in a bag.
If you are travelling with a friend or family you can also save money by pooling your baggage allowance. For instance 20kg checked baggage for one person to Lanzarote is €110 return, if you select 40kg it will cost €170 – that is a saving of €50 if there are two people travelling together. You can read more about this here:
Read: How to save money on Aer Lingus checked baggage
13. Don’t Always Fly Direct
I’ve tried this travel hack many times. We are very lucky to have many airports in the UK and Europe so accessible. Sometimes, it can be much cheaper to fly to the UK or Europe first and then continue to your final destination.
For example, a few years ago, I flew from Dublin to Bristol and then on to Zakynthos in Greece, saving over €500 compared to flying direct from Dublin. It’s not ideal for families of course but worth a shot if you don’t mind a longer journey time and want to save a lot of money!
This trick can also work with major European hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Athens, Madrid, Brussels, and Paris. It’s definitely worth checking alternative routes through these airports to find the best deals.
14. Try Ryanair’s “Any Destination” Search
Ryanair’s ‘Any Destination’ search is similar to Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search, and is very handy if you just want to search Ryanair flights. You can choose your home airport and any date and Ryanair will do the work for you! The website will show the best price for the dates you can travel, to all the destinations available. Figuring out how to find cheap flights is easier than ever with the right tools and apps.
Read: Book Ryanair Flights with 50% Deposit on Family Fares
15. Search in the Local Currency
This travel hack tends to work best when booking flights in Asia. Go to the airline website and change the currency to match the country you are planning to visit.
For example, if you’re booking a trip to Bali, Indonesia, switch the currency to Indonesian Rupiah and compare the price to what’s shown in your local currency. Sometimes, you’ll find the fare is cheaper when priced in the destination’s local currency. But always double-check the final amount, including conversion fees, to make sure you’re actually saving money.
16. Watch out for Sales and Discounts
If you have a trip in mind and can wait for sale events like Black Friday, Boxing Day, or even end-of-summer sales then wait it out! Many airlines take part in these promotions and often offer discounts ranging from 10% to 25% off flight fares. On top of that, airlines frequently run their own standard promotions, so it’s always worth keeping up to date with those as well.
Sign up to Ryanair’s new prime service that offers exclusive discounts to member for a set yearly fee. Prime members get free reserved seats, free travel insurance and access to 12 member only seat sales, 1 each month. Prime members can save over €450 P.A. All for just €79 per year.
17. Do a Multi-City Trip
This is a great hack if you have the time and a bit of patience to search! It is especially useful for long-haul flights such as the USA, Mexico, Asia, or Australia. Instead of flying direct, break up your journey with a stopover in places like the UK or Middle East to Asia. Stopping in Iceland or Canada can offer significant savings if flying to America.
Not only can this dramatically reduce the overall cost of your ticket, but it also gives you the chance to explore an extra destination along the way. It does require a bit more planning, but the big savings and bonus experiences can be well worth it.
18. Check Different Trip Durations
This travel hack is a personal favourite of mine! Instead of sticking to the standard 7-night holiday during the summer, try searching for 6, or 8-night stays, you’ll often find cheaper prices simply by being flexible with your dates. The same goes for longer trips; if you’re planning a 14-night getaway, check 13, 15, or even 16-nights instead. This won’t always work but sometimes you can be very lucky!
19. Consider Red Eye or Overnight Flights
Want to save money easily on an air fare? One of the easiest tricks is booking a red-eye flight. These early morning or late night departures tend to be cheaper, simply because most people avoid them. It’s not the most comfortable option, sleep might be scarce, and airport services can be minimal, but if your goal is to cut costs and arrive early, it’s definitely worth considering.
20. Avoid Peak Periods and Travel During Shoulder Season
This travel tip might seem a bit obvious, but where possible try to avoid travelling in high season, especially when schools are out and summer holidays start in Europe. Its also worth checking up local events to avoid traveling during major festivals and sporting events, as these drive prices up and reduce availability.
For a sun holiday in Europe, its best aim for the shoulder season – May, September, or October, when beach towns are quieter and flight deals are easier to find. If you must travel in July or August, try late August when some schools haven’t started back yet, you should find very cheap fares.
Top Tip: School holidays vary across Europe, with some starting mid-July and others in August. This often means early July offers cheaper fares compared to late July or August.
21. Book Flights and Accommodation Together
Ever wonder how to find cheap flights for last-minute trips? There’s actually a trick to it – some package holidays can work out cheaper than the flight alone. For instance TUI holidays operate charter flights from the UK and Ireland and need to sell their flights, so they will often offer massive discounts especially in shoulder season to fill the allocation on the plane.
Read: The Ultimate Holiday Checklist
22. Best days to Book and Travel
Choosing the best day to travel definitely depends on the season, but travelling mid week is generally cheaper with Tuesday, Wednesday or Sundays usually offering better deals. And, if looking for a weekend break, always travel Saturday – Monday instead of Friday to Sunday.
According to Forbes magazine a 2024 data study by Upgraded Points found that the best day to purchase airline tickets is Monday or Tuesday, with Friday and Saturday being the most expensive.
I hope this article on how to find cheap flights helps you find the best value fares around. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, prices and experiences are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional charge to you.
