How to find and book cheaper flights
Updated October 5, 2026
The lowest fare on the screen is not always the cheapest trip. Extra fees, long layovers and strict ticket rules can turn a bargain into an expensive mistake. These steps help you compare flights fairly and book with fewer surprises.
Compare the total cost, not just the fare
Budget airlines often charge separately for checked bags, seat selection, meals and even printing a boarding pass. Add what you will really need before you compare.
- Check the baggage allowance for carry-on and checked bags, and the weight limits.
- Add seat selection and any payment or booking fees.
- Compare the final amount at checkout, in the same currency, across at least two or three sites.
Be flexible where you can
Prices change by day of the week, season and time of departure. Searching a range of dates, or nearby airports, often reveals cheaper options. There is no guaranteed best day to book, so avoid anyone who promises one. Price alerts let you watch a route and decide when to buy.
School holidays, long weekends and big events push prices up, so if your dates are flexible, travel outside them.
Look closely at layovers
A cheaper flight with a long or tight connection can cost you in time, meals and stress. If you book two separate tickets, the airline is usually not responsible when you miss the second flight because the first was late, so leave a generous gap.
Understand the ticket rules before you pay
- Check whether the fare is refundable, changeable, or neither, and what the change fee is.
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
- Check that your passport is valid for as long as the destination requires. Many countries ask for several months of validity beyond your stay, and rules differ, so check the official government or embassy page for your destination.
- Check whether you need a visa or an online travel authorisation, and how long it takes.
Book through a reliable site
Booking with the airline gives you one place to handle changes and cancellations. Online travel agencies can sometimes be cheaper or bundle trips together, but check their reviews and what happens if you need to change something. Whichever you use, keep the booking reference and confirm it on the airline's own website.
This is general advice, not a recommendation of any specific product. Specs, prices and rules change, so check current details with the seller or manufacturer.