Cheap flights

Cheap flights
Bag cheap scheduled & charter flights

Wait until the last minute, and flight prices can skyrocket. However, if you plan ahead and book strategically, you could save significantly. We have a wealth of smart tips to help you discover affordable vacation spots, book flights at the optimal time, and much more.

Step 1: Decide when and where to go

To secure incredible flight deals, it’s essential to be among the first to discover them and act swiftly. Flexibility is crucial, so being open to various destinations and dates will significantly enhance your chances. Quick booking is also key to seizing these opportunities.

If your holiday plans are still open and you’re willing to explore different options, this phase focuses on uncovering the most budget-friendly flights available.

However, this approach may not suit everyone. If you’ve already pinpointed your destination or have specific travel dates (like school holidays), proceed to step 2 to learn how to achieve the lowest possible fare for your chosen itinerary.

a) Flight finders will send you the best offers

If your travel itinerary isn’t finalized and you’re on the hunt for a great deal, several clever flight-finding tools can assist you. Although each operates in its own unique way, these services will notify you when airlines lower prices on specific routes and highlight pricing errors or ‘mistake fares’ that can be incredibly affordable. Here’s our selection of the top options:

Top cheap flight alert sites

What’s an ‘error fare’ flight, and how can I find one?

An “error fare” is precisely what it sounds like: a pricing blunder. These occur when an airline or online travel agency mistakenly lists a flight at a rate significantly lower than usual.

There are a variety of factors that can lead to an error fare. For instance, a simple slip like forgetting to add an extra zero or listing the fare in Australian dollars instead of US dollars can result in a dramatically lower price.

Due to their nature as genuine errors, error fares appear unpredictably and their duration is equally uncertain. They might remain available for several days, but often airlines quickly identify the mistake and correct the price within a few hours.

Your rights if you purchase an ‘error price’ flight

When you purchase a flight at an erroneous price, the airline has the right to cancel it; however, they are obligated to provide a full refund. In many instances, airlines choose to honor these fares to avoid negative publicity.

According to Jack’s Flight Club, approximately 70% of error fares are honored by airlines. However, they advise waiting about two weeks before booking any non-refundable elements of your trip, just to be safe.

Determining when an error fare becomes confirmed can be challenging, as airlines’ terms and conditions often lack clarity on when your contract with them becomes legally binding and, consequently, when your ticket is guaranteed.

If an airline cancels your flight, standing up for your rights can be challenging. If you’ve arranged other parts of your journey, like accommodation, you might attempt to claim these expenses as a ‘consequential loss’ from the airline. However, success with this approach isn’t assured. In the end, you might need to consider taking your case to the small claims court to recover any extra costs you’ve faced, though there’s no certainty that this will resolve the issue.

Where else to look

There are a number of other places worth keeping an eye on to be sure you can pounce on deals first. HotUKDeals has a travel section, where users flag cheap flights they’ve spotted.

For example, frequent-flyer sites God Save the Points and Head for Points sometimes flag cheap flight deals (though both sites’ main focus is on making the most of schemes such as British Airways Executive Club, and the deals aren’t always for economy fares).

b) Never miss an airline sale

Sign up for airline email updates so you never miss a sale. If you’re planning a trip several months in advance, consider subscribing to the email newsletters of the airlines you’re interested in. They frequently send out notifications about limited-time sales. By having an idea of your travel dates, you’ll be ready to take advantage of these offers as soon as they become available.

Ones to try for sales are the newsletters of Air France, Easyjet and KLM*. If you’re set on a British Airways flight, it’s worth checking BA’s cheap fares finder for its lowest prices to worldwide destinations.

Before you finalize your booking during an airline sale, make sure to use a comparison website to confirm that you’re getting the lowest fare available.

c) Free tools can help you search

Don’t want to wait for alerts or sales? Clever free tools help you figure out when to book. If you have a rough idea of your travel dates or destinations, there are some smart, free tools available that can help you monitor the lowest prices across various routes. This allows you to plan your trip in advance without having to rely on sales or flight finders.

Skyscanner Savings Generator Tool

Skyscanner has introduced a new feature designed to help you determine the optimal time to book a flight for the lowest fare. By using their Savings Generator Tool*, we found that for a trip from London to Bangkok in September, booking four weeks in advance would yield the best price. On the other hand, for a journey from Manchester to Dubai in April, it suggested securing your ticket 21 weeks ahead.

This tool leverages Skyscanner’s vast data resources. However, it’s important to note that flight prices are subject to fluctuations and complexities. Therefore, it’s advisable to start your search on the Skyscanner homepage* to view the full range of current prices, or set up a price alert for more accuracy.

Additionally, Skyscanner offers an option to identify the most cost-effective month for traveling to a particular destination. By entering your departure and destination cities on the Skyscanner homepage*, selecting ‘Depart’ and ‘Flexible dates’, you can discover which month is the cheapest. For example, our search indicated that November is the most affordable month for flying from London to Lyon.

Momondo Flight Insight

Consider using Momondo*, a metadata search engine that operates similarly to Skyscanner and other flight comparison tools. One of its unique features is the ‘Flight Insight’ data available for various popular routes (you’ll find it in the top right corner of your flight search results). This feature assists in identifying the optimal booking time, the most cost-effective day of the week to fly, and even the cheapest airport to fly into.

In our evaluation, Skyscanner demonstrated a more dynamic and comprehensive range of results. For instance, while Momondo typically recommends booking ’32 days in advance’ for most searches, Skyscanner provided a broader array of suggestions. Additionally, Momondo’s ‘days to departure’ graphs are limited to a 60-day window, whereas Skyscanner offers a more extensive timeline.

Regardless of the tool you choose, it’s important to treat the results as a general guideline rather than a definitive rule. The data is derived from flight search queries and includes various promotions, so it’s wise to approach it with some skepticism. If you’re unsure, booking earlier is generally a safer bet.

Be sure to cross-reference with other comparison websites to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Step 2: Find the cheapest flight

Once you’ve determined your destination and timing, follow these steps to secure the most advantageous deal.

a) Head to a comparison site (or two)

Don’t automatically assume that booking directly with an airline will give you the best deal – it’s wise to use a price comparison website to verify first.

These comparison tools search through online travel agencies (like Expedia and Ebookers) and airlines themselves to find the most affordable flight options for your desired destination and dates, as well as the best place to purchase. For instance, we recently discovered a round-trip from London to New York City available for £250 through an agent, while booking the identical Virgin Atlantic flight directly with the airline cost £260.

Here are some of our top recommended flight comparison sites. We’ve evaluated them based on their features, user-friendliness, and the prices they return in our brief review.

Remember: Different comparison sites search different firms, so check at least two.

Top flight comparison sites

Loyalty sometimes does pay – join airline schemes to earn ‘free’ flights

Many people confuse Avios with a frequent flyer program, but it’s actually a points system similar to Nectar and Clubcard. You accumulate points by using credit cards and shopping through the BA shopping portal, and these points can be redeemed for travel-related rewards.

However, keep in mind that you will still need to cover taxes and fees for flights, which can sometimes negate some of the benefits—these fees can be as high as £100 for return flights within Europe with BA. On the bright side, if you use the Reward Saver scheme, you’ll pay a fixed fee on most short-haul economy flights, provided you earned at least one point in the year prior to booking.

For comprehensive details and over 30 strategies to maximize your points, check out Boost Avios points. You might also want to explore Airline credit cards for options to earn points with Avios and Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club.

Know which airline you want to fly with? Try this tip…

If you prefer flying with a particular airline or have a specific flight in mind, ‘codesharing’ might help you snag a cheaper ticket. Codesharing occurs when airlines collaborate to offer seats on each other’s flights, sometimes at varying prices.

This strategy is most effective on popular medium to long-haul routes—just book through a partner airline to secure a seat on the same flight at a lower cost.

For instance, a recent search revealed that a Virgin Atlantic round-trip from London to Las Vegas in October was priced at £754 when booked directly through Virgin Atlantic. However, the same flights booked through their partner Delta were available for £655, resulting in a savings of £99.

Airlines typically list their partners on their websites. For example, Virgin Atlantic’s partners include Air France, Delta and KLM. British Airways’ partners include American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways.

b) Check if stopping over could save you even more

Nonstop flights certainly offer the greatest convenience. Yet, if you have a bit of extra time, opting for a connecting flight might only extend your travel by a few hours while potentially saving you a significant amount of money. Additionally, some airlines provide complimentary hotel accommodations if your layover is particularly lengthy.

We analyzed round-trip fares from London to ten major long-haul destinations to determine the savings potential of indirect flights. The findings, detailed in the table below, suggest that substantial savings are generally more common on longer flights, particularly those not heading to the US.

For this comparison, we excluded Dubai, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, as direct flights to these cities were often more economical when we reviewed the options.

Examples from July 2024

To find the best options for yourself, check out the major price comparison websites listed above. Kayak*, Momondo*, and Skyscanner* display both direct and connecting flights, allowing you to easily compare prices.

d) You can split tickets on flights too and sometimes save £100s

Finding flights between two destinations, A and B, is a straightforward task, but with a touch of ingenuity regarding the route and by booking separate tickets, you might be able to significantly reduce the cost.

While this strategy is often linked with train travel (refer to our guide on Cheap Train Tickets), it can also be applied to air travel. It just requires some extra research and effort.

e) Check niche travel agents for cheap flights to specific destinations that aren’t online

The UK is a vibrant tapestry of various immigrant and ethnic communities, which can be leveraged for affordable flight bookings. Specialized travel agents frequently focus on securing deals to countries connected to these communities.

For instance, the Shepherd’s Bush area in London is home to travel agents who specialize in Caribbean destinations.

Be sure to compare prices with other sources before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

When arranging travel through a smaller agency, it’s important to consider the potential risks if the agency were to collapse. For information on what protections you have in such situations, refer to the “The firm’s gone bust – what protection do I have?” section of our Holiday Rights Guide.

f) See if a package holiday works out cheaper (even if you don’t use the hotel)

Online travel agencies offer the convenience of booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, often providing additional discounts when these services are bundled together in a ‘package’. In some cases, you might even discover a deal where the combined cost of travel and lodging is less than the price of the flight by itself.

Additionally, many package deals come with ATOL protection (though it’s wise to verify this before making a reservation). This protection ensures that if the travel company collapses, your holiday is safeguarded. You’ll receive a full refund if you haven’t departed yet, or if you’re already traveling, you can continue your trip and still return home safely.

Our preferred travel sites include Expedia* (which also manages Ebookers* and Travelocity), Opodo, Lastminute.com*, and Netflights for long-haul journeys. For a comprehensive list of our top recommendations and expert advice on securing the best package holiday deals, check out our Cheap Package Holidays guide.

WARNING. While these websites might offer lower prices, there have been reports of issues with obtaining refunds when booking through online travel agencies. If you encounter difficulties, refer to our guides on Flight Delay Rights and Flight Cancellation Rights for assistance.

Step 3: Maximise savings when you book

You’ve identified your destination and secured the most affordable flights available, but there’s still room to enhance your savings—or avoid unexpected expenses—when booking, particularly with low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet.

Here are some tips to help you optimize your savings and avoid costly surprises during the booking process.

a) Check the real cost of your ticket (and avoid hidden extras)

Booking flights with budget airlines can be quite tricky. Additional costs for things like luggage, check-in, seat reservations, and meals can quickly add up. The real challenge is that these extra charges often aren’t revealed until you’re deep into the booking process.

To help, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) website has a useful airline charges comparison table which shows extra fees for a host of big airlines, as well as luggage allowances, seat selection charges and even whether a meal’s included with your ticket.

It’s a good idea to verify these details with the airline before finalizing your booking. However, knowing the actual cost of your ticket in advance can help you make a more precise comparison.

Our guide to navigating budget flight fees offers strategies to avoid those frustrating charges. Learn how to make payments effectively to sidestep extra fees and discover how multi-pocket jackets can help you carry additional items without extra costs. For tailored advice, be sure to check out our specific guides for EasyJet and Ryanair.

b) Can you beat airline baggage fees by POSTING your luggage?

For a more drastic approach to cutting costs on flight add-ons, consider shipping your vacation luggage overseas. Several companies now provide this service, and after analyzing the figures, we’ve discovered it can lead to significant savings.

We’ve found a couple of firms that offer competitive prices for sending luggage abroad – Send My Bag* and Mybaggage.

Although sending your bags in advance might be more cost-effective than checking them on your flight, the benefits extend beyond just financial savings. By shipping your luggage ahead, you can avoid the hassle of transporting it to and from the airport—an advantage for families, seniors, or individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, this approach can help you sidestep steep last-minute fees for overweight luggage when you return from your trip. For instance, EasyJet imposes a £12 per kilo fee for excess weight at the airport.

Need-to-knows

How to post your luggage

Here’s a streamlined guide to shipping your luggage:

1. Obtain and Compare Quotes: Prices can differ between couriers and destinations. To get the best deal, visit each courier’s website to request a quote and compare these with airline baggage fees for a similar allowance.
2. Select a Pickup/Delivery Date: Choose a date for your luggage to be picked up, and you’ll receive an estimated delivery date, which is typically two to three days later. For optimal results, Send My Bag suggests scheduling your bag to arrive a day before you do.
3. Print Labels and Await Pickup: You’ll receive labels via email or mail to affix to your bags. You’ll also be given a collection window, usually between 9am and 6pm. If you’re not available, Send My Bag can arrange pickup from a neighbor or your workplace.
4. Receive Your Luggage at Your Destination: Delivery doesn’t require your personal signature; anyone at the delivery address can sign for it, such as the hotel reception desk—just make sure to inform them beforehand.

Your travel insurance won’t work on this – but the firm does give basic cover

Travel insurance policies typically state that only the belongings you’re wearing or carrying with you during your trip are covered. This means you won’t be able to file a claim for loss or damage if you send your suitcase via courier.

However, the websites mentioned provide a basic level of coverage included in the price. If the contents of your suitcase exceed the standard coverage, you can opt to pay extra for additional protection (but it’s best not to send valuable items).

Always review the coverage details before booking, and be aware of any exclusions. Most policies exclude fragile items and any damage to your bag or suitcase.

You may need to repack to max the gain

To maximize your savings with this method, consider sharing a suitcase. Typically, shipping a single 30kg bag via courier is more cost-effective than sending two 15kg bags.

If you prefer to pack individually, you might end up spending more, although there are instances where you could still see savings.

Make sure your luggage is robust enough to travel

Similar to preparing your luggage for a flight, make sure your bag is robust enough to handle the weight, and that all straps and handles are properly fastened. Additionally, review the site’s regulations regarding acceptable containers for sending your items, such as suitcases, cardboard boxes, holdalls, or duffel bags.

Don’t pack prohibited items

Verify permitted items. For instance, Send My Bag’s destination-specific pages provide details on what you can and cannot send to various locations. According to their general guidelines, it’s important to avoid including aerosols, flammable liquids, or glass in unaccompanied baggage.

Check customs requirements

Requirements vary by country. Some only require a packing list – others also ask for a copy of your passport, flight ticket, work permit or visa. Send My Bag’s destination pages have info on each country’s customs requirements.

How does the cost compare with airline baggage fees?

There isn’t a definitive winner in this comparison, as the costs fluctuate significantly depending on the destination, travel dates, and luggage amount. To provide some insight, we examined the prices for 108 flights across eight airlines to four different destinations in August and October 2018. This analysis considered luggage allowances for individuals (15kg), couples (30kg), and families (55kg).

Our snapshot analysis found it’s cheaper to post your luggage roughly a THIRD of the time – it often won for couples and families flying short distances, but rarely for single bags and almost never for longer flights.

Although this data isn’t derived from a scientific study, it reveals that sending luggage by mail was more cost-effective than taking it on 39% of the 108 flights we examined. This method proved advantageous on 64% of flights to Malaga and 60% of flights to Berlin. However, it was only cheaper on 4% of flights to New York and none of those to Paphos in Cyprus.

In one instance, mailing a family’s luggage saved £41 compared to flying with it. Additionally, on three out of the 24 routes and dates analyzed, a courier service outperformed all the airlines we reviewed.

Having multiple web pages open could lead to a wrong booking

If you’re using more than one page to search, it’s a good idea to close the other pages before you book, and try deleting your browser’s cache to ensure you’re seeing the most up-to-date price.

What to do if this happens to you

If you find yourself in this situation, reach out to the airline or booking platform immediately to request a correction (refer to Consumer Rights for help). Inform them that this is a common issue reported by others. Unfortunately, your options may be limited if the airline declines to make changes, as proving their mistake could be challenging, and they might impose fees for modifications or cancellations.

Extra tips for before you get to the airport

Now that you’ve locked in those budget-friendly flights and are gearing up for your trip, these additional tips will help you maximize your value at the airport.

a) Airport parking

Book parking in advance if you’re driving to the airport. Although public transportation often comes out on top, driving to the airport can be more cost-effective for large families or groups. However, it’s essential to book your parking in advance. If you wait until you arrive at the airport, you’ll be at the mercy of airport parking rates—a situation that’s advantageous for parking companies but not for saving money. Even making a reservation on the same day can still offer you some savings.

To optimize your savings, make sure to book as early as possible. Similar to booking flights, start with comparison websites to find the best deals. However, don’t overlook the benefits of booking directly, bundling parking with a hotel stay, or securing a private parking spot close to the airport. For detailed guidance, check out our Cheap Airport Parking Guide, which includes step-by-step instructions and exclusive discounts to help lower your expenses even more.

b) Duty-free

Planning on treating yourself at duty-free? Pick it up on the way back.

If you’re interested in purchasing duty-free items but prefer not to handle them during your flight, the Duty-Free On Arrival website offers a useful airport search feature. This tool provides details on whether duty-free shopping is available upon your arrival at your destination.

Nonetheless, don’t automatically assume that duty-free prices are the most economical. If there’s a specific item you’re seeking, it’s a good idea to check prices online beforehand. This will give you a reference point to compare against the duty-free prices you’ll encounter at the airport.

c) Airport transfers

Cut airport transfer costs with shuttle buses or splitting airport travel with others. Holiday Extras* lets you book transfers between airports and popular resorts across the globe. It offers basic shared shuttle buses, as well as private transfers. There’s also Hoppa* can turn up some very competitive prices (though always check these for yourself before you book).

d) Car hire

Flying then driving? It’s usually best to book car hire early. Renting a car for your holiday can significantly cut down on the expense of airport taxis and local transport, provided you approach it correctly.

To get the best deal, it’s crucial to book early and in the right manner. What might cost just £5 per day if booked months in advance could surge to three times that amount or more as your travel date nears. Waiting until you’re at your destination can lead to even higher costs, potentially adding hundreds to your overall expenses.

For detailed information on current offers and helpful tips, refer to the Cheap Car Hire Guide. Here are the main points to keep in mind:

• Determine your needs. Rental agencies often offer a plethora of pricey extras, such as GPS units and additional drivers. Before finalizing your booking, identify what you truly require and avoid the rest.
• Efficiently compare quotes. Streamline your search by using effective comparison sites to gather the most quotes in the shortest amount of time. Recommended sites include Skyscanner*, Kayak*, TravelSupermarket*, Enjoy Travel*, and Carrentals*.
• Look for additional savings. Try to reduce costs further through package deals, cashback offers, specialized travel agents, and online discount codes.
• Purchase affordable excess insurance beforehand. Rental companies may push for excess coverage costing up to £25 per day on top of the standard insurance. Instead, secure cheap excess insurance for as little as £2 before your trip.

More travel tips

We’ve a whole host of tips to get you prepped for your holiday. Below is a quick round-up of where we’d suggest you head next:

• Travelling as a group, sit together for free if you’re flying with BA, Easyjet, Virgin, or more.
• Sunscreen isn’t the only protection you should be thinking about, find the right travel insurance to make sure you’re covered whilst you’re away.
• Avoid getting hit by an unexpected phone bill, learn how to use your mobile on holiday for cheap (or free).