How to find affordable flights

Crossing multiple search engines

A general comparison tool like Skyscanner or Google Flights gives a good overview of prices, but it's always worth checking the airline's direct website too: some promotional fares or the cheapest basic fares don't always show up in search engines. Comparing two or three different sources before deciding reduces the risk of overpaying.

Price alerts instead of manual checks

Setting up a price alert on the route you're interested in allows you to receive an automatic notification when the fare drops below a chosen threshold, avoiding the need to manually check every day. It's one of the most effective tools precisely because it eliminates the luck factor: you decide the convenience threshold, not chance.

Alternative airports and airline choice

A secondary airport near your destination is often served by different carriers than the main airport, with fares sometimes significantly lower: it's worth calculating the cost of transfer to the city center before ruling out the option. The same goes for comparing budget and full-service airlines, detailed in how not to pay extra fees with budget airlines: sometimes the lowest fare on the surface hides additional costs that match it.

Search history: has little impact on price

The myth that a website would raise prices for those who repeat the same search multiple times doesn't hold up to scrutiny: what changes is the actual availability of seats in that fare class, not your browser history. Clearing cookies or opening an incognito tab, therefore, is unlikely to make a difference: better to spend that time checking a price alert or an alternative date.

Instead of seeking a definitive trick, set an alert on two or three flexible routes and let price signal when the time is right to buy.