10 tips for finding a cheap plane ticket

Do you need to fly cheaply? Discover 10 effective tips to find a cheap plane ticket and travel more while spending less!

Summer vacation is slowly approaching… and summer vacation often means plane tickets.

But finding the perfect ticket at the best price isn’t always easy. With inflation in 2024, prices are constantly rising and the French clearly feel this decline in their purchasing power.

However, with the right reflexes and some advice, it is quite possible to get good deals and save seriously.

In this article we will reveal six simple and effective tips for finding a cheap flight, both for a holiday and for a business trip.

These little tips will help you save on your next plane trip.

1. Use price comparison tools

To find the best airline ticket prices, nothing is better than comparison sites.

These platforms screen the prices offered by all airlines and show them to you based on your criteria: cheapest flights, shortest durations, etc.

With sites like Skyscanner, Kayak or even Google Flights, you will have access to a simple and quick comparison between the different offers; you will no longer have to spend hours checking between multiple sites.

All you have to do is indicate your travel dates and destination and these interfaces will take care of finding the best options for you.

2. Be flexible with dates

Being a little flexible with your travel dates can also save you a lot of money.

If you can postpone your vacation a little or go mid-week rather than on the weekend, you can save significantly on the price of airfare.

It is often cheaper to travel during the week or even on Sunday.

Don’t hesitate to use the flexible search options on comparison sites to explore different periods and find the best deals.

Sometimes it is possible to have an overview of prices for an entire month, giving you the opportunity to choose the cheapest dates.

SEE ALSO: Traveling by plane: 17 tips for preparing a stress-free trip

3. Book in advance (or last minute)

As a general rule, it is advisable to book your flight ticket well in advance to benefit from the best prices.

Keep your eyes open on promotions launched by companies and don’t hesitate to book as soon as you find the right price for you.

However, sometimes, waiting until the last minute can be useful, especially if companies want to sell out the last places before departure…

4. Use a VPN to access local rates

A somewhat often unknown tip for finding cheaper flights is to use a VPN.

With a VPN you can change your virtual location and access local rates, sometimes more attractive than those displayed in your country.

For example, by connecting to a server located in the country of departure or arrival, you could benefit from reduced prices normally reserved for local residents.

Give the VPN a free trial to see how it works and see if you can find the best prices!

5. Opt for private browsing

The use of private browsing functionality of your Internet browser can be critical to save on your airline tickets. In fact, the cookies recorded affect the results of you research sometimes increasing the prices displayed if you view the same flights multiple times.

Opening a private session prevents these cookies from being stored, ensuring you see the lowest prices with each new search. This is especially useful when comparing prices for several destinations In France or inside Europe.

SEE ALSO: Air strike: what compensation in the event of a canceled or delayed flight?

6. Explore alternative airports

Most people tend to only search for flights from the nearest airport.

Our advice? Avoid focusing only on the main airport of your departure (or destination!); it’s not always the most attractive, price-wise.

Also consider checking out nearby airports. Even if it means taking a bus or train to your departure airport, it could be beneficial.

Sometimes it’s even smarter to fly to a city close to your final destination and complete your trip with ground transportation. It might turn out to be cheaper.

7. Sign up for price alerts

Never miss a good deal by signing up to price alerts offered by airlines and booking sites.

Simply sign up and you will receive an email alert as soon as the prices offered drop.

You will be notified promptly as soon as a price reduction occurs on flights that match your search criteria.

It’s a great way to not miss anything and grab the best opportunities to save on your travels.

SEE ALSO: Airline overbooking: what compensation should you ask for from the airline?

8. Use your loyalty points

Are you part of a loyalty program with an airline? Surely you are part of the vast majority who forget to use their loyalty points…

Don’t forget to use your points or miles to get discounts on ticket purchases – it’s a great way to save money, especially if you regularly fly with the same company.

9. Plan according to the season

Choose the right time to travel it is essential. Prices vary greatly depending on season. For example, avoiding Paris in the spring, or some European cities during the end-of-year holidays, can offer you much cheaper rates.

Use a comparator of flights to monitor and compare price changes between months and opt for the less popular periods. This requires flexibility, but the savings could allow you to discover even more destinations through the world.

10. Follow a comparison guide

Don’t settle for just one comparator to plan your trips Each platform can offer you different results. Some may have exclusive agreements with certain companies, others may be more effective for certain regions of the world.

Take the time to consult different guides and comparators to ensure you get the best deal available. By diversifying your sources, you increase your chances of finding the discount tickets you want to explore Europe or flee to other continents.

Conclusion

Finding a cheap plane ticket takes a little patience and a good strategy, but the savings often justify the effort.

By applying these few simple tips, you can increase your chances of coming across interesting offers for your future holidays. Happy flying!