Travel on a Budget: Find Affordable Long-Distance Flights in 4 Simple Steps
Are you planning your next trip overseas but on a budget and tired of spending a lot of time researching possible connections?
There are two things I love: traveling the world and finding the best deals online. In this article, I’m going to share my simple four-step approach that can help you find decent-priced flights with minimal effort.
Please note that this tutorial will be most relevant for backpackers and budget travelers and that you may need to be open about your exact destination. If you’re looking for a specific flight on a specific day to a specific city, this tutorial may not be as useful.
Our scenario
You want to travel to Southeast Asia for your next vacation. You have a vague idea of when and how long you want to go, but you’re departing from Bavaria, Germany.
Step 1: Learn about your destination’s surroundings
Before you start searching for flights, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of the surrounding cities and countries of your destination. This will give you more options when it comes to finding a cheap flight. For example, if you’re planning to visit Thailand, you might also consider searching for flights to nearby countries like Vietnam or Cambodia. These destinations might not be your primary destination, but they could be significantly cheaper to fly to, and you can always travel to your desired destination from there.
Step 2: Include neighboring cities in Google Flights
Google Flights is a great tool for finding cheap flights. One of the features that can be particularly useful is the “Matrix search” function. This allows you to search for flights from a specific city to a range of different destinations. By including nearby cities in your search, you’ll have a better chance of finding a cheap flight. It’s also a good idea to play around with the search dates to see if you can find a cheaper flight by changing your travel dates.
Step 3: Use meta-search websites like Kayak for specific searches
Once you’ve explored your options with Google Flights, it’s a good idea to do a more specific search on a meta-search website like Kayak. This will allow you to search for specific flights and compare prices from multiple airlines. Kayak also has a useful feature called “price alert,” which allows you to set up notifications for when the price of a specific flight drops (see below).
Step 4: Book through a reputable travel or ticketing company
Once you’ve found a flight that fits your budget and schedule, it’s time to book your ticket. Make sure to do some research and choose a reputable travel or ticketing company to book through. This will help ensure that you have a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
Pro Tip: Price alerts
Set up price alerts If you’re not in a rush to book your flight and you’re willing to wait for the right deal, you might consider setting up a price alert on Kayak. This will allow you to monitor the price of a specific flight and receive notifications when the price drops. This can be a great way to save money on your flight, but it’s important to be patient and avoid getting too caught up in trying to find the absolute lowest price.
Things to Avoid
When searching for cheap long-distance flights, there are a few things you should avoid in order to get the best deal.
- Avoid buying from the cheapest agency: While it might seem tempting to book with the cheapest agency, they often have poor customer service and may try to upsell you after you’ve already made your booking. It’s important to do your research and choose a reputable agency that offers good customer service.
- Avoid searching over and over the same routes on websites: It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of constantly checking the same flights on different websites. This can be a waste of time and can also lead to overthinking and indecisiveness. Additionally, some agencies use algorithms that can detect when you’re searching for a specific flight and may raise the price accordingly. Try to be decisive and stick to your budget when booking a flight.
- Avoid booking with your phone: While it’s convenient to book a flight on your phone, it can also be easy to make mistakes or miss important details. Additionally, some websites may charge higher prices for mobile bookings. It’s a good idea to double-check your booking on a computer to make sure everything is correct.
Summary
In conclusion, finding cheap long-distance flights requires some planning and the use of helpful tools like Google Flights and Kayak. By including nearby cities in your search, using meta-search websites, and booking through a reputable company, you can find a decent-priced flight with minimal effort. Price alerts on Kayak can also help you save money, as long as you’re patient. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to a budget-friendly, long-distance vacation.
