The allure of exploring distant lands, experiencing new cultures, and creating lifelong memories is undeniable. But finding the cheapest international flights is often the biggest hurdle to turning those travel dreams into reality. Scoring affordable international flights isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy. This guide Onward Free will walk you through when to book and provide ten actionable tips to help you find the cheapest international flights for your next adventure.

When should I book an international flight?

While there’s no single “magic day” to guarantee the absolute lowest price, some general principles can guide your search for the cheapest international flights.

• Book in Advance (But Not Too Far): For international flights, aiming to book 2-8 months in advance is often a good window. Booking too early might mean you miss out on later sales, while booking too late usually means much higher prices, especially for popular routes.
• Consider Seasonality: Peak season (like summer holidays or major global events) will almost always have higher prices. If your dates are flexible, consider traveling during the “shoulder seasons” or the off-season for better deals.
• Monitor Prices: Start looking early and track prices. If you see a deal that fits your budget and is within a reasonable historical range for that route, it’s often wise to book it rather than waiting indefinitely for a slightly lower fare that may never materialize.

Ultimately, the “best” time involves a combination of advance planning, flexibility, and active price monitoring.

10 Tips to Find the Cheapest International Flights

Ready to become a flight-booking ninja? Here are ten proven tips to help you snag the cheapest international flights:

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Flexibility is arguably your greatest asset in the quest for the cheapest international flights.

• Dates: If you’re not tied to exact dates, use flight search engines’ “flexible date” features (like a whole month view) to see when fares are lowest. Even shifting your trip by a few days can sometimes result in substantial savings.
• Destinations: If you’re open to where you go, use tools like Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search or Google Flights’ “Explore” map. This allows you to see the cheapest places to fly to from your home airport during your preferred travel window. You might discover an amazing new destination you hadn’t considered!

Use price comparison websites

Flight comparison websites (also known as aggregators) are an indispensable tool for finding the cheapest international flights. They search hundreds of airline and travel agency sites simultaneously to show you a wide range of options. Popular choices include: Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, KAYAK, Expedia

Pro Tip: Don’t just check one. Prices can sometimes vary between aggregators, so it’s worth comparing a couple before making a decision. Also, once you find a good deal, it can sometimes be beneficial to check the airline’s official website directly to see if you can get an even better price or more favorable terms.

Set Up Price Alerts

Don’t have time to manually check flight prices every day in your hunt for the cheapest international flights? Let technology do the work for you. Most major flight comparison sites and even some airline websites allow you to set up price alerts for specific routes and dates. You’ll receive an email notification if the price goes up or down, allowing you to book when the price is right.

Consider alternative airports

Major city hubs aren’t always the cheapest option. If your destination city (or even your departure city) has multiple airports, check prices for all of them. Smaller, secondary airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into cheaper tickets, especially with budget airlines. This is a great hack for finding the cheapest international flights.

Avoid flying on Fridays

Fridays are typically one of the most popular (and therefore most expensive) days for international departures as people aim to maximize their weekends or start their holidays. Similarly, returning on a Sunday can also be pricey. If your schedule allows, try shifting your departure or return to a mid-week day like Tuesday or Wednesday, as this is a key trick for finding the cheapest international flights.

One-Way vs. Round-Trip Tickets

Traditionally, round-trip tickets were cheaper. However, this isn’t always the case anymore, especially with the rise of budget airlines and more competitive routes. Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets (perhaps even on different airlines) can be more cost-effective.

This strategy offers great flexibility but comes with a crucial consideration for international travel: proof of onward travel. Many countries require you to show that you have a ticket to leave their territory before they’ll allow you to enter, especially if you’re arriving on a one-way ticket. This is where a service like OnwardFree.com becomes invaluable. You can secure a legitimate onward ticket (or dummy ticket) for a small fee, satisfying immigration requirements without having to commit to a fixed, potentially expensive return flight immediately. This allows you to take advantage of cheap one-way deals and maintain flexibility for your future travel plans.

Look for Error Fares & Special Promotions

Airlines and travel agencies occasionally make mistakes when pricing flights, leading to “error fares” – sometimes the absolute cheapest international flights you can find, though they are usually only available for a very short time.

• Where to find them: Follow travel deal websites and blogs (like Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going.com), Secret Flying, The Flight Deal), and sign up for airline newsletters.
• Act Fast: If you find an error fare or a fantastic promotion, be prepared to book it immediately, as they often disappear quickly.

Frequent Flyer Programs & Airline Alliances

If you travel frequently, joining frequent-flyer programs can pay off. While not always a direct discount, redeeming miles or points can be the secret to securing the cheapest international flights in the long run.

• Earn Miles/Points: You can earn miles or points on flights (and sometimes through credit card spending or hotel stays) that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, or discounts.
• Airline Alliances: Familiarize yourself with major airline alliances (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld). Miles earned on one airline within an alliance can often be used on partner airlines, expanding your redemption options.

Paying in Different Currencies

This is a more advanced tactic. Sometimes, booking through an airline’s foreign website and paying in the local currency can sometimes unlock the cheapest international flights due to exchange rate differences.

• How it works: For example, if flying a European airline, checking their ‘.de’ (Germany) or ‘.fr’ (France) site and paying in Euros might be cheaper than paying in USD on their US site.
• Risks: When attempting this, ensure your credit card doesn’t impose hefty foreign transaction fees, as these could easily negate any potential savings. Additionally, be aware of potential customer service challenges if you need to make changes to your booking and find yourself dealing with a foreign office of the airline. It’s also crucial to always use a reputable currency converter to accurately compare prices before committing to a purchase in a different currency.

Incognito Mode & VPNs

There’s a persistent theory that airlines and travel sites use your browser cookies and IP address to track your searches and potentially raise prices if they see you’re repeatedly looking at a specific flight (dynamic pricing).

• Incognito/Private Browsing: Searching in your browser’s incognito or private mode prevents cookies from being stored from that session, which might help you see baseline prices.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN can make it appear as though you’re browsing from a different country. This could potentially unlock different pricing, similar to the “paying in different currencies” tip.

While the effectiveness of these methods is debated, they are simple to try and could potentially unearth a deal for the cheapest international flights.

Conclusion

Securing the cheapest international flights blends smart strategies, the right tools, and patience, making dream trips affordable. Remember to factor in all aspects, including proof of onward travel where services like OnwardFree.com offer peace of mind. For more details on easy solutions like the service previously highlighted, navigate to Blog Onwardfree.com. Onward Free is always honored to accompany you on every trip!