Book and travel at the right time. Most airlines offer their cheapest fares when flights first go on sale with prices rising as more seats are sold. Try and fly midweek and outside of peak morning or evening traveling times. Avoid flying during busy holiday periods. The Bing Travel website is a useful tool for predicting the best time to buy flights on a particular route.
Carry out thorough research on the Internet before you book. Sites such as Skyscanner and Mobissimo check prices across a range of airlines and flight brokers for the best deals and it is a good idea to use at least two of these aggregator sites. Check airlines' own sites as well as you may find sales and promotions not captured elsewhere.
Concentrate on budget airlines. These carriers may offer fewer comforts and frills but you will get the lowest prices. In Europe you can pick up flights across the continent for just a few euros if you are able to travel light and check-in online. It may be cheaper to fly a long haul to one country in Europe and then use a budget carrier to fly onto your destination.
Check out smaller airports near bigger cities. For example, if your destination is Boston, look for flights to Providence or try Bergamo as an alternative to Milan if you are heading to Italy. Even flying to an airport a few hundred miles from your destination and traveling on by car or train may work out cheaper.
Keep an eye on travel columns in the newspapers or websites run by industry experts. Smarter Travel and Bestfares both have continual updates on airfare sales and promotions as well as articles on the best deals currently available.
Look for companies that specialize in certain areas. Travel agents located in regions with large immigrant communities will often be able to secure the best fares for flights to destinations popular with locals. Campus travel agents may be the best place to find cheap flights if you are a student.
