Trip Hacker:

Become a Trip Hacker and Travel Hack Cheap Flights to Anywhere in the World (Easy Tips for Students and Families) (250 Reads)

You don’t always need special miles or points to get cheap flights. There are tools and websites you can use to find great deals without needing a lot of travel experience.

When Should You Book Your Flight?

• Book flights during the week. Flights are often cheaper if you fly on Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Don’t book too early. Buying a flight 6 months in advance can cost more than waiting until 3–4 weeks before.

• Avoid booking at the last minute. That can also be expensive.

• Use fare alerts. These let you know when flight prices drop.

Travel Tips from Kayak:

• Domestic (USA) flights: Book about 21 days before you fly.

• International flights: Book about 34 days before you fly.

• Cheapest trip times:

  • In the U.S.: Leave on Saturday, come back Monday.

  • International: Leave on Tuesday, return Wednesday.

Step 1: Start with Big Travel Websites

Begin your search on a site that checks multiple airlines like Kayak. You can also try:

• Skyscanner

• Orbitz

• Airfarewatchdog

• CheapTickets

Tip: Some airlines like Southwest don’t show up on search sites. Go to Southwest.com to check their prices.

Also, check the box that says “Add nearby airports.” You might save money by flying out of or into a different airport.

Step 2: Compare Flights on Different Sites

Search the same trip on a few websites. One might be $10 to $100 cheaper than another. The more websites you check, the better deal you can find.

Step 3: Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

If you can travel on different days, you’ll have a better chance of getting cheaper flights.

• Try flying on weekdays.

• Search using a “+/- 3 days” option.

• The more flexible you are, the more money you can save.

Step 4: Check the Airline’s Own Website

If Kayak says the cheapest flight is with Delta, go to Delta.com and search the same flight.
Sometimes, the airline’s site has an even better deal (or extra perks).

Step 5: Research Events in the City You’re Visiting

Check if there’s a big event (like a festival or sports game) in the city. Flights and hotels can cost more during those times.

If possible, fly in before or after the event to save money.

Step 6: Set Up Price Alerts

If your trip is a few months away, set fare alerts on sites like:

• Kayak

• Airfarewatchdog

These alerts tell you when prices go up or down. You can get emails every day or once a week.

Bonus Tip: Use Flight Predictors

Kayak and Bing Travel sometimes show tools like:

• “Buy now or wait?”

• Confidence meter (like 78% sure it’ll get cheaper or not)

These aren’t perfect but can help you decide whether to wait before booking.

More Helpful Tips

Be Flexible with Airports

Flying into or out of a different airport nearby can save money.

Try Multi-City Flights

If you’re going to more than one place (like cities in Europe), fly into one and out of another.
Example: Fly into Brussels, then take a train to Amsterdam and fly home from there.
It can save money and let you see more places.

Bonus Flight Hack: Hacker Fares

Some websites (like Kayak) show “Hacker Fares”—two one-way flights with different airlines instead of a round-trip.

You can do this yourself:

1. Search a regular round-trip.

2. Then search each flight one-way.

3. Compare the prices. Sometimes two one-way tickets are cheaper or have better flight times.

Final Tips

• Be patient. Good deals take time to find.

• Don’t settle for the first price.

• Check lots of websites.

• Be flexible with your dates and airport.

These simple steps can save you a lot of money on flights!