Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Be flexible with your travel dates. Varying your dates by a day or three can often lead to a significant drop in price as airlines often charge more for flights on the weekends or certain dates. If it is a long trip, one day won't likely matter and you can often save hundreds of dollars by delaying or extending your trip by a short duration.
Book early as possible. This is especially true for international flights as prices skyrocket as the date of departure nears. At least three weeks ahead of time should be a good guide, but if you are able to book a couple months or more ahead you can often find significant savings.
Search out nearby airports as a cheaper alternative. Many large cities such as Paris or Tokyo have one major airport that the majority of people fly into but also one or two slightly smaller airports that may be an option. Because they are smaller and with less operating cost, they can be cheaper to fly into. Learn the airport code for the alternate airport and search for a flight between your departure city and the airport. The results will tell you if there are any connecting flights.
Scrutinize internet travel sites for the cheapest deals, taking these tips into account. Just because a site claims it has the cheapest rates in the world doesn't make it true. Once you have found a ticket that fits your needs and your budget, purchase the ticket with a credit card. Make sure you are aware of any taxes and fees that may be tacked on. Review the final price before finalizing the purchase to double check there are no hidden fees.