There's nothing quite like the excitement of booking a holiday. Whether you’re planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip or a quick getaway to escape the cubicle for a bit, nothing really compares to that feeling of booking your annual leave knowing that in a few months, you’ll be on the beach while everybody else is at work.
If only the nuts and bolts of planning a holiday were as exciting.
Instead, it can feel like an endless cycle of trying to find the best flight deals, working out if connecting flights will work, and comparing prices. You can easily spend whole evenings trying to work out how to find cheap flights (or, at the very least, affordable flights that don't make you Google "how much can I sell a kidney for?").
And that's before you even consider all the conflicting "advice" out there.
Have you heard it's easier to find a cheap flight deal on Tuesday or Wednesday? Well, it's not anymore.
Your boss told you that going incognito lets you access the cheapest fares? That's mostly an urban myth.
A lot of advice is — frankly — either a load of rubbish or based on how things used to be 5 years ago. Neither of which makes finding a cheap flight easier or less stressful.
In fact, a recent report from Expedia found that nearly half of Brits find booking flights "more daunting than doing their taxes, making small talk, and a flooded email inbox."
But luckily, there are some tried and tested ways to get cheap flight deals to anywhere, so we asked the Vuelo team for their best practical tips and tricks on how to find cheap flights.
If you’re serious about saving money on your flights, you’ve got to be flexible. (And we’re not just talking about being able to squeeze your legs into economy seats on the cheapest airline.)
Whether it’s your destination or your travel dates, the more wiggle room you’ve got, the better.
- Got a dream destination? Stay flexible when you go.
- Locked in on travel dates? Play around with destinations.
You might have your heart set on a specific destination – let's say a week in Venice – so be flexible with your dates. Look at di
Venice might not be quite as nice in October as July but the amount you save could be enough for another flight down the line. (And come on, with the Rialto Bridge and more gelato than you can handle, Venice is incredible all year round.)
But if you're tied to certain dates (school holidays only gang, we're looking at you) you can save a packet by being open to visiting different places.
In this scenario, a trip to Venice might not work out but if you're open to exploring other cities, you could save a fortune. A flight to another Italian city or somewhere else in Europe could shave hundreds off your flight costs.
Got your heart set on a specific destination and travel dates? You can add a bit of flexibility by changing where you fly from and land — you can save money by going to smaller airports like Luton rather than Heathrow and Treviso rather than Marco Polo in Venice. You can fly to a smaller airport and then use public transport or rent a car to get to your destination.
How Vuelo helps:
The Vuelo app makes it easy to compare different dates and destinations in one go, so you can explore your options without needing to open a bajillion tabs to figure it all out.
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We’ve all heard about those magical last-minute deals that seem too good to be true—probably because, these days, they usually are.
Gone are the days when airlines would slash prices to get bums in empty seats. In fact, now you’ll probably pay more for last-minute flight deals than less. According to a recent study, you can expect higher rates if you’re booking a holiday less than 21 days before your departure date.
So while last-minute deals are great for scratching those spur-of-the-moment holiday itches, they’re usually not cheaper. Error fares — when airlines make a mistake and slash the cost — are even rarer than bargain last-minute deals and are the traveller equivalent of winning the lottery. (So if you spot one, lock it down fast.)
Long story short, the best way to get cheap flights is to start looking early. We recommend booking your flights 3-6 months in advance at least (longer if possible). Even if you don’t book 6 months in advance, it’ll give you a chance to see the rough costs and budget for your getaway.
How Vuelo helps:
Vuelo’s data shows that booking 3-6 months in advance saves travelers an average of 48%. That’s pretty much half-price flights — or two holidays for the price of one.
Plus, Vuelo helps you set up a payment plan for your entire trip - flights, accommodation, etc... - so you can book early and pay it off over time.
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Almost everybody wants to fly during bank holiday weekends, school holidays, and the summer. And that means one thing: prices absolutely take off.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, it’s a no-brainer to travel during quieter periods.
If you’re planning a holiday and can be flexible (AKA, you’re not taking kids), try to organise it when other people won’t be going. Not only does it make it cheaper but it’s usually easier to get annual leave approved when you’re not competing with everyone at work for the busy times of the year.
But it doesn’t just apply to times of the year, you can get cheaper plane tickets if you’re willing to travel midweek. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the most popular days to travel so if you can fly out on a Tuesday or Wednesday you’ll save a lot.
This one sounds counterintuitive. If you're looking for the cheapest flights, why not go to a budget airline that specialises in cheap flights?
Well, while budget airlines are brilliant for cheap flight tickets most of the time, they're not always the cheapest. When you factor in the additional charges for baggage, seat selection and even a dry sandwich on board, that "cheap" flight could end up costing way more than the price they slap on their adverts (and maybe even more than a premium airline).
While flights with more premium airlines like Emirates seem more expensive on a flight vs flight basis, you can try to snag package deals with larger airlines that bring your flights, accommodation and car hire into one package to bring the cost of your trip down a bunch.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that they offer a better experience, baggage as standard, and in-flight food and entertainment. (Which if you're on a long haul flight, can be the difference between landing feeling relaxed and ready and feeling like you need a chiropractor.)
Another super quick way to save on flights is to take a bit more time with your travel.
Direct flights are convenient, but they often come with a higher price tag. A recent report showed that non-stop flights are 25% more expensive than flights with stops.
So, if you’re willing to spend a few extra hours at an airport, choosing a flight with a short layover can shave off a significant chunk of the ticket cost. Plus, layovers give you a chance to stretch your legs, grab a snack, and maybe even explore a new city for a few hours.
The best part is, layovers don't have to be long.
A stopover of just a few hours can cut hundreds off the price of your flight, and you'll still get to your destination without too much hassle.
How Vuelo helps:
In the Vuelo app, the search feature makes it easy to compare direct and layover flights, showing you exactly how much you can save by going for a non-direct route and taking a few hours to stretch your legs.
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When you’re booking a holiday – especially if you’re booking for your family or a group – everything is stressful. But it doesn't have to be.
With Vuelo, you can take the stress out of everything from booking flights and accommodation to spreading the cost over time. The Vuelo app makes it easy to find the cheapest international flights, last-minute flight deals, and compare prices for the same flight across multiple platforms, so you always know you're getting the best offer.
That way, you can spend less time working out how to find cheap flights and more time thinking about the beaches you’re going to hit, the food you’ll eat and the once-in-a-lifetime stuff you’ll see.
And on top of that, it also lets you spread the cost over time, with interest-free options too. No more stress about paying for your trip all at once — Vuelo offers flexible payment options so you can lock in that cheap fare now and pay in a way that works for you.
Ready to take your travel planning to the next level? Download the Vuelo app today and start saving with these handy features:
- ✈️ Compare flights across multiple dates and destinations to find the best deal
- 🏖️ Discover last-minute flight deals and hidden savings opportunities
- 🕵️ Track international flights and fare changes in real-time
- 📅 Book your flights now and spread the cost interest-free
Ensure you can make repayments on time. You must be 18+ and a permanent UK resident. Vuelo charges a £12 late fee for each late instalment. Missed payments may affect your ability to use Vuelo in the future. Vuelo's Interest Free instalment agreements are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. T&Cs and other eligibility criteria apply.
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Today to start browsing the cheapest flight and accommodation deals, booking your trip from one place, and spreading the cost over time.
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Now that’s the smarter way to holiday.
min read
26 October 2024
