How to Save Money on Flights: Tips for Finding Cheaper Fares

The cheapest flights are generally found by booking six to eight weeks in advance for short-haul European routes, avoiding Friday and Sunday departures, and using fare comparison tools to spot the lowest-price days. Being flexible with your travel dates by even one or two days can save £50 to £200 per person on popular summer routes.

Which comparison sites find the cheapest flights?

Skyscanner and Google Flights are the two most useful tools for UK travellers. Skyscanner's "Cheapest month" view shows the lowest available price for every day across an entire month, making it easy to spot the cheapest travel window. Google Flights overlays fare history to show whether current prices are typical, high or unusually low for that route.

Kayak aggregates fares from multiple sources and includes a "price forecast" that suggests whether prices are likely to rise or fall in the coming days. No single tool covers every airline; Ryanair, for example, does not always appear on third-party comparison sites, so it is worth checking ryanair.com directly once you have a benchmark price.

What day of the week is cheapest to fly?

Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to depart for European destinations. Friday and Sunday are the most expensive, because they are the most popular days for leisure travellers. The difference between a Wednesday and a Saturday flight on the same route can be significant; on busy UK-Spain or UK-Greece routes in peak summer, the gap is often £80 to £150 per person.

For long-haul routes, the day-of-week effect is less pronounced, but flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday still tends to be marginally cheaper than at weekends.

How far in advance should I book?

For short-haul European flights (UK to Spain, France, Greece, Italy), the sweet spot for price is typically six to eight weeks before departure. Booking too early (more than six months ahead) rarely gives the lowest price; airlines release cheaper fares as the departure date approaches, provided seats remain available.

For long-haul routes (UK to the US, Asia or Australia), booking further in advance generally pays off. Three to six months ahead is a reasonable target. Business-class fares on long-haul routes are often cheapest around nine to twelve months before departure.

Last-minute deals exist but are unreliable; do not bank on them if you have a fixed holiday window.

How do price alerts work?

Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak all offer free price alerts. You set the route and your target price, and the tool emails you when fares fall to or below that level. This removes the need to check prices repeatedly and means you can act quickly when a sale appears.

Google Flights also shows a "track prices" button on any search result, which sends you automatic notifications if the price changes significantly.

What are the best airline newsletters to sign up for?

The following airlines send regular promotional emails to subscribers, often including flash sales not available on comparison sites:

• easyJet: regular seat sales, particularly on Tuesday mornings
• Ryanair: "Friday Fare Finder" and weekly promotions
• British Airways: regular Executive Club promotions with discounts for members
• Jet2: package deals and flight-only offers
• Wizz Air: occasional deep discounts to Eastern European destinations

Create a separate email address for airline marketing if you want the deals without cluttering your main inbox.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to book flights directly with the airline?

Sometimes. After finding the best price on Skyscanner or Google Flights, check the airline's own website. Airlines occasionally run website-exclusive promotions that do not appear on comparison tools. Booking directly also makes it simpler to manage changes or cancellations under your statutory rights.

Do flight prices go up if I search for them multiple times?

There is no definitive evidence that airlines increase prices based on your browsing history. However, using incognito or private browsing mode when searching removes any doubt and takes only a few seconds.

Is it worth paying for seat selection?

On short-haul flights of under three hours, free seat allocation at check-in is usually fine. On long-haul flights, paying for a preferred seat (particularly an aisle or window seat for a night flight) can make a significant difference to comfort. If you are travelling as a couple or family, paying for seat selection in advance guarantees you sit together; otherwise, the airline will try to seat you together but cannot always guarantee it.

How do I find cheap flights at the last minute?

Apps such as HolidayPirates, Secret Escapes and the Skyscanner app's "Last Minute" section aggregate deals within a few days of departure. These work best if you are flexible on both destination and dates. Last-minute deals are most commonly available in the shoulder season (May to June, and September to October) rather than peak July and August.

Are budget airlines really cheaper than full-service airlines?

The headline fare is usually lower, but budget airlines including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air charge separately for checked luggage, seat selection and priority boarding. Add these costs before comparing. A full-service airline such as British Airways or Iberia that includes one checked bag and a seat in the price can occasionally be cheaper in total than a budget carrier with add-ons.