How to find cheap flights without the myths
Incognito mode does nothing. Tuesdays are not magic. Here is the boring, repeatable process that actually gets us cheaper fares, plus the two tools we open every time.
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Most cheap-flight advice is folklore. Airlines price by demand forecasting, not by whether you cleared your cookies. What works is being flexible on the right variable and checking the right tools in the right order.
Step 1: Decide what you are flexible on
Dates, airport or destination. Pick one. If you fix all three you are paying the market rate and no trick will change that.
Step 2: Search a whole month, then 'Everywhere'
The whole-month view shows the cheap days instantly. The 'Everywhere' search is how we end up in places we never planned, which is half the fun.
Step 3: Check the airline directly
Once you have a route and date, open the airline's own site. It is often the same price, with better customer service when things go wrong, and you can use the airline's own card perks.
Things that do not work
Incognito or VPN browsing. Prices are personalised far less than people think.
Booking on a specific weekday. There is a weak pattern, not a rule.
Last-minute deals for anything except package holidays.
How far ahead should I book?
For short-haul in Europe, 4 to 8 weeks. For long-haul, 2 to 5 months. Holidays and school breaks: as early as you can.
Is it cheaper to book two one-ways?
Often, especially mixing low-cost carriers. Just remember you have no protection if the first flight is late.
Written by
Editorial team
We travel on our own money, test what we recommend and say so when something is not worth it. Replace this bio with your own in Admin → Authors.
