How to search for cheap flights?

Skyscanner

A few years ago, I used random search engines mostly to book my flights to distant countries. For a flight to Los Angeles I paid 800 euros (900 USD), flights to New York cost me almost the same. Expensive, but there were no other options available.

But then I discovered Skyscanner.net!
This website isn’t really different from other websites that compare flights, except for one big difference… Skyscanner allows you to search for the cheapest month, and you don’t need to search for one destination, but you can also enter anywhere so that the website automatically searches the cheapest locations to fly to.
If you aren’t very picky, you’ll find flights for ten euros / dollars or less!

Here are some examples of the flights that you can score:

Cheap return flights in Europe:

A quick search from London to anywhere. Flights for only $20!!!

Cheap return flights from the US:

Return flights from the US to Europe… $241 only!

With Skyscanner I could score return flights from Europe to Los Angeles for (!) 500 euros (instead of the average 800 euros), and to New York for 380 euros, whereas otherwise I paid at least 700 euros!

Be flexible when searching cheap flights

It’s very important that you are a bit flexible when you’re looking for cheap flights.
Booking one or two days later or earlier can often yield a very big difference in price. Sometimes it’s a price difference of several hundred euros.

 Example

This might not be an example where hundreds of euros are saved, but you can already see how big the difference can be with just booking a day later.
A return flight from Brussels to New York city (JFK) will only cost me $402 or €358, while if I book my return flight one day earlier it already costs me $134 or €119 extra!

On some flights these differences are HUGE!

An example of how different prices can be with just a couple of days/weeks later/earlier.

Don’t book too soon

It may sound like a contradictory tip, but if you book too soon you’ll often not get the most affordable prices either.
A few weeks before the effective date of the flight will usually give you the best prices. Book at least one week in advance, otherwise the prices will be heightened without a doubt.

Two to eight weeks, I think, is ideal for getting the best price for your flight.

Look for flights from different airports

There are thousands of airports all over the world. And sometimes you live close to multiple ones, so why not check if those other airports offer cheaper prices?

Example:

Brussels International Airport is only two to three hours away from Amsterdam International Airport, yet the price differences can be huge!
For a return ticket from Brussels, Belgium to Sydney, Australia you pay $1074 (€958) for the cheapest tickets.
For a return ticket from Amsterdam, the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia you pay $844 (€753) for the cheapest tickets.

A price difference of $230 or €205!

Compare prices at different airports. You can save a lot of money this way!

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Hi, I'm Sam Van den Haute. The last three years I've been traveling the world almost constantly. Heading out for an adventure and visiting the most beautiful places are what I love to do! Let me inspire you with great stories, beautiful pictures and handy tips from my adventures and travels. On my facebook page and instagram account you'll get to see the latest updates and photos to inspire you for your next vacation.
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