How to find cheap flights

Be flexible first

The biggest savings usually come from moving your dates by a few days or flying from a different airport. Use the flexible-date or month view in a flight search engine to see the cheapest days at a glance.

When to book

For international trips, many travellers find the best fares a few months ahead; for domestic flights, a month or two. Peak dates such as school holidays, Christmas and major festivals sell out early, so book those sooner.

Set fare alerts

Create price alerts for your route and dates and wait for a dip rather than checking every day.

Compare the real price

• Budget airlines often charge for bags, seats and even printing boarding passes.
• Check the airport's distance from the city and the cost of getting there.
• Look at total journey time, not just the fare.

Consider open-jaw trips

Flying into one city and out of another (say, into Lisbon and out of Barcelona) often costs little more than a return and saves a day of backtracking.

Myths to ignore

Clearing your browser cookies or booking on a specific weekday rarely changes the price meaningfully. Flexibility and timing matter far more.