If there’s one question I get asked all the time, it’s this: “How do you find such cheap flights?”
Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a long-haul adventure, I’ve built a strategy that helps me fly more often without draining my bank account. Flights are usually the most expensive part of any trip, but they don’t have to be.From snagging return tickets to Florida for just £165 to jetting off to Stockholm for £33, here’s how I do it — and how you can too.
1. Book Smart — But Not Always Early
While booking early can help, it’s not always a guarantee of a cheaper flight. Research shows that timing depends on your destination and season. For example:
- Summer flights to Europe: Book ~7 months in advance.
- Autumn or winter European trips: Wait until about 2 months before.
- Long-haul routes like New York or Dubai: The sweet spot is around 4 months out.
👉 Check flight prices now with this flight search tool
2. Travel Off-Peak or at Odd Hours
Want to slash your flight costs? Travel in the off-season or at “antisocial” hours.
Sure, a 5 AM departure isn’t glamorous — but neither is overpaying.
- Algarve, June (shoulder season): £65 return
- Algarve, July/August (peak): £200+
- Stockholm, flying 5AM Saturday to 10PM Sunday: £33 return vs £130 on “normal” times
By flying off-peak, you’re not only saving on flights but also possibly on accommodation.
👉 Find off-season flight deals here
3. Use Google Flights to Track Prices
Google Flights is my #1 tool.
You can monitor prices, set alerts, and see flexible date options all in one clean interface. If you’re even slightly flexible with your dates, you can often save a ton.
- Save multiple routes to your Google account
- Get email alerts when prices drop
- Compare dates instantly via the calendar view
👉 Try Google Flights and start tracking your route
4. Browse in Incognito Mode
Sites track your searches and can bump up prices if they see you repeatedly checking the same flight.
Using private or incognito mode helps avoid this. The same tip works for trains, buses, and even hotel bookings.
5. Sign Up for Airline Apps & Newsletters
Apps like Ryanair, Wizz Air, or EasyJet regularly offer app-only deals and flash sales.
I can’t count how many times I’ve caught a £10 flight just because I got a notification first.
6. Use Skyscanner, Momondo, or Kiwi for Hidden Gems
Don’t just rely on one platform.
- Skyscanner and Momondo are great for budget, multi-airline, and layover options.
- Kiwi’s Nomad feature helps build the cheapest multi-stop route — perfect for big adventures.
7. Use Google Flights “Explore” Feature
Have the time off but not sure where to go?
Open the Google Flights Explore map and just browse. You can filter by price, dates, or continent and find surprise deals.
This is how I stumbled across a €20 flight to Eastern Europe that turned into one of my favorite trips.
👉 Discover where you can fly for cheap
8. Travel Light and Skip the Extras
Checked bags, seat selection, and in-flight meals add up quickly. I always travel with just a carry-on unless a checked bag is free.
For most weekend trips, you won’t need more than:
- A small backpack or carry-on
- Travel-size toiletries
- A versatile wardrobe
Pro tip: Pick a good personal item backpack — you can pack more than you think.
👉 Shop the best carry-on bags for budget flying
9. Join Free Flight Deal Newsletters
I highly recommend signing up to:
- Jack’s Flight Club (UK/Europe)
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) (US-based)
These newsletters send out mistake fares, rare deals, and flash sales — sometimes up to 80% off!
👉 Join Jack’s Flight Club for free
👉 Sign up for Going and unlock hidden flight deals
Bonus Tip: Share & Swap Travel Secrets
Got your own tips or go-to sites for flight deals? Drop them in the comments or reach out — I love discovering new hacks from fellow travelers.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap flights isn’t magic — it’s method.
With the right tools, a bit of flexibility, and a willingness to fly when others won’t, you’ll be booking budget-friendly trips like a pro in no time.
Ready to take off? 👉 Start your flight search here
Want some help travelling like me? These are my favourite resources I use for planning my trips:
- Flights: I use Expedia to find great flights and the best deals all over the world, they have regular sales and offers so I always check their website. I also check CheapOair to find cheap deals on round trip flights.
- Car Rental: I love the customer service I’ve always gotten and the variety of options with Rental Cars. But for short notice rentals, I’ve been using Expedia for the last year, they always seem to have great one-day rates or last-minute rates from the main rental companies.
- Accommodation: I prefer the flexibility of booking accommodation with Booking.com so I can cancel or change my reservation without a fee or only pay on arrival for most properties. For longer or more unique stays I prefer AirBnB because you can get the long stay discount, you can also find more unique properties and book experiences with talented locals and businesses. For my budget trips, I always stay in hostels and book through Hostelworld because they have great guarantees if anything does go wrong. If you arrive and your booking is not at the property, they refund the full deposit AND give you $50 extra credit.
- Tours and organised trips Although I don’t use tours that often, I do like to book local experiences or day trips once I reach my destination. For that I use GetYourGuide because it has the biggest selection and variety of tour and experience options.
- Travel Insurance: I currently use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. Which allows me to pay a rolling monthly fee to cover my long term travels.