Plane tickets are usually the most expensive part of the trip. Over the past year of my traveling career, finding cheap flights had become a specialty of mine.
Today I will show you that finding cheapest plane tickets is very much possible and is not that difficult once you get the idea. The cheapest I paid for a return flight was 9.98 euros! And no, plane did not crash. 😉
By the end of this article, you will be a true expert in finding cheap flights
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Have you ever heard the myths and legends about buying cheap flights?
Are flights cheaper if bought before 8 am?
Tuesday is the best day to buy plane tickets?
Is it best to shop incognito mode?
Is it necessary to buy the ticket at the first search or will the prices increase?
These and many others are so-called myths about buying cheap plane tickets that have been spreading both on the Internet and by word of mouth in recent years.
The fact is that none of the above has been proven to work in most cases.
Of course, it may happen that by chance the flight on Tuesday at 7:50 was cheaper than the day before or a week later, but this primarily depends on the demand for a particular flight, which then becomes part of the famous algorithm based on what airlines create prices.
Buying plane tickets is like buying stocks. The more they get sold, the higher the prices and vice versa.
So, for example, the Zagreb – Cologne flight in, let’s say March, has an initial price of 64.99 euros.
This means that in the past the demand for that flight was neither high nor low.
In other words, if you want to buy that same flight in August, the price can exceed 200 euros. This is due to higher demand and evidence that in past this flight sold well.
Mostly because of the summer season. In this case, the airline simply has no need to put a lower price.
Likewise, that first flight of 64.99 euros can change the price depending on the passenger’s demand.
If the flight is not selling well, the airline will apply a discount or simply reduce the price of the flight.
On the other hand, if that same flight sells well, the price will increase.
Along with the price increase, the airlines like to use a popular PR trick.
Next to the ticket price, they indicate that there are a certain number of seats left.
For example, ***5 more seats left or ***5 more seats at this price.
This does not mean that the flight is full and there are still 5 seats for sale. That means there are 5 seats left at THAT PRICE. That is, for 50 euros if we take the first example, and that after that the price will rise to.
This information will be crucial when we look at why it is best to buy tickets individually.
Book tickets early, but not too early
This applies especially to far far away destinations. There is an unwritten rule about the so-called time “window” that is ideal for buying plane tickets to distant destinations.
This period is 2 to 5 months before the flight.
During this period, a good number of passengers will buy their ticket. This allows the prices to take some stable numbers, as the airlines slowly gain insight into the interest of passengers.
Anything before 6 months is too early because prices can still be initial and high. While 2 months before the flight, most passengers already have their tickets, which gives airlines room to increase last minute prices.
However, there are some exceptions. But, as we said at the beginning, everything depends on the demand for a particular flight and the popularity of the destination.
For shorter routes, the ideal time to buy tickets is 3-8 weeks before the flight.
Be flexible with your choice of destination
When traveling, flexibility is your best travel buddy!
When we talk about buying plane tickets, it will be cheaper if you are also open change your travel plans sometimes.
For example, landing at another airport in the vicinity or another city, then adding a combination with another type of transport such as a train, bus, ferry or blablacar.
Another way to get a cheap plane ticket is an even more flexible choice of another destination, which is a cheaper option at the time you travel, and the standards are the same.
For example, if you want to go to Spain for nice weather, beaches, swimming, sunbathing, good food and a relatively cheap vacation. Maybe Spain is now a more expensive destination than for example Croatia that can give you same benefits but cheaper flight.
Be flexible with your travel dates if you want to find cheap flights
Another way to “go cheap” is to choose cheaper dates. Most search engines offer a calendar with flight prices, so without much effort you can choose one of the dates that offer cheaper flights.
If possible, don’t always travel directly
The option of landing at nearby airports is a good way to save a coin.
The real question is how to find airports nearby?
Search engines often have the option of displaying flights to airports that are nearby.
I will give an example with Cologne and Dusseldorf, which are less than 30 minutes away by train and have large airports.
For example, you want to go to Dusseldorf but the flight is expensive. An option is to fly to Cologne, where in our example it is cheaper, and then take a train or some other means of transport to get to Dusseldorf.
Join the mailing list that send notifications about cheap airline tickets
Almost every airline or even an airline ticket search engine such as skyscanner offers the option to subscribe to their mailing list and receive notifications about ticket prices. You can select a specific location or flight and you will receive price notifications specific to that. Very useful!
Compare prices using different Internet search engines and devices
It’s no secret that internet cookies remember what you do on the internet, what you search and click on.
My advice is to always look at ticket prices from other internet browsers or even from other devices.
I experienced donwside of this with RyanAir, they raised the price for me every time I looked for the specific flight.
You have to be one step ahead of them if you want to catch a good deal. That’s why here we openly expose all the tricks for finding a cheap plane ticket, every time.
Travel with different airlines – combine cheap airline tickets
If you want to find cheap airline tickets, you need to put some effort into searching for flights.
So you can choose a different companies for the departure flight, and for the return flight if their prices differ. This definitely works!
If you are connecting, you can combine airlines, which Kiwi.com, Skyscanner or Momondo flight search engines automatically do for you.
Accept the possibility of transfers
If you can, accept the option with a transfer! It’s not so bad, in fact, you have the opportunity to see a new airport, and if you have enough time, you can take a trip to the city.
The absolute advantage are layovers of 12+ hours. In this way, we adventurers have the opportunity to see one more city, take a walk, eat something local and try local coffee or beer.
Take advantage of discounts and collect miles or points for cheap flights
University students up to the age of 26 can often find deals on cheap airline tickets.
But, except for students, everyone has the opportunity to collect miles through the airline or credit cards.
I personally collect Eurowings miles and so far I have flown twice completely free thanks to the collected miles. Recently I started collecting Star Alliance miles as well.
Search prices in other currencies
In different search engines you can pick currency you want to see prices in. Sometimes changing currencies can bring cheaper prices.
The reason for this is the fall and rise in the value of currencies, which changes almost on a daily basis. I experienced this when I wanted to buy my flight to London which was more expensive when shown in pounds compare to euros.
Always search for single passenger fares
Always, BUT ALWAYS, look for plane tickets for one person – one passenger.
In many cases, it will be cheaper than buying for two people or for a group.
WHY??
Because, as I already mentioned at the beginning, plane tickets are sold in groups where a certain number of seats are sold at one price, others at another.
Kada kupuješ više karata od jednom, aviokompanije ti automatski izračunaju cijenu po najskupljoj kategoriji karata.
Subscribe to airline programs that offer benefits to their customers
Here we can combine the two already mentioned items – subscription to mailing lists and collecting miles.
As I already gave my example with the collection of Eurowingsić miles. Here we can apply the same case, where they give me, as their loyal user, the opportunity to fly for free for a certain number of accumulated miles and send me offers with discounts.
Combine your trip with low-budget airlines for the ultimate cheap flights
Eurowings, Ryan Air, Vueling, Easyjet i mnogi drugi nalaze se u tablici.
| Europe
USA |
Canada
New Zeland & Australia |
Asia
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| Source: NomadicMatt |
The list is almost endless. Each has its own conditions, advantages and disadvantages, but they all have in common that in most cases you can fly for suuuper cheap!
Ryan Air offers flights starting at 5 euros.
I got the cheapest flight with Eurowings for 25 euros! Which is still an absolutely ridiculously low price.
When traveling with low-budget airlines, be sure to carefully read all the necessary information related to luggage, arrival at the gate, check-in, and the most important thing – ADDITIONAL COSTS that sometimes can come with cheap airline tickets.
Check out travel blogs that cover cheap flights
There are really great blogs and websites that exist out there on the internet with first-hand information because they love to travel and pass on their advice to others.
Find those you can trust and follow them regularly because they work in your favor!
Like say my blog? I hope to see you more often on the site.
Additional (important) information when buying a cheap flights and during the flight
- Buy flights for the summer at least 3-6 months in advance.
- Buy flights for the winter holidays at least 3-5 months in advance.
- Pay attention to the baggage allowance, here travelers lose a lot of money. Do not bring if not allowed.
- Do not leave anything valuable (and/or fragile) in the luggage you hand in at check-in. They often open it. Unfortunately, theft and loss of luggage are not rare.
- Be on time at the gate. Some airlines close the gates 30 minutes before the flight.
- Check-in from home if you can and keep the ticket on your mobile phone. Printing the ticket is absolutely unnecessary.
- Check-in on time!!! Within the time period specified by the airline. Some airlines, such as RyanAir, tend to charge up to 50 euros for check-in at the airport. Avoid that and check-in at home.
- Sometimes you can choose your seat on the plane, but sometimes you will be charged for that choice.
- Not all airlines include a meal, snack or drink on the flight. In fact, you will often have to pay for what you consume on the flight, unless otherwise indicated.
Now you know how to find cheap flights every time, but need accommodation on your trip?
- Choose a transfer from the airport to the accommodation at LINK.
- Avoid unnecessary surprises and get travel insurance HERE.
> Interesting tours and attractions on the trip, including FREE WALKING TOURS, see HERE! <<<
For more travel trips – check the blog!
*The text of the article is the property of the author and is not allowed to be used without consultation.
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