Many people have asked me how I find cheap flights. Since I need to find a specific route myself right now, I will try to describe all my steps here. In another article, I will write about low-cost airlines, using aggregators, and tools to find cheaper tickets. Today, I will just show an example of how I looked for tickets to Kathmandu.
First of all, always use incognito mode in your browser, because the service can’t use your data there. Otherwise, it automatically raises prices for the flight if it sees you’re searching. So always clear cookies from your browser and use incognito mode. Sometimes it’s helpful to use a VPN of the country you’re flying to. Tickets on some airlines can be cheaper with a local VPN, compared to when the system sees you’re in Canada.
So, let’s say I need to be in Kathmandu from October 18th to November 3rd. In other words, I need tickets from Toronto, Canada to Kathmandu, Nepal for the dates from October 16th to November 4th. I go to Google Flights, enter the details, and check for available tickets.
The cheapest ticket costs $2399 Canadian dollars, and the route is not very convenient, with two layovers. Then I go to the website flightconnections.com and see from which cities airplanes arrive in Kathmandu.
I choose cities that suit me (closer and safer). The list includes:
Istanbul, Turkey
Doha, Qatar
Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Delhi, India
I check prices for flights from Toronto to these cities.
Toronto, Canada – Istanbul, Turkey
Toronto, Canada – Doha, Qatar
Toronto, Canada – Dubai, UAE
Toronto, Canada – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Toronto, Canada – Delhi, India
The list turns out as follows. Still, it’s expensive and inconvenient.
Toronto, Canada – Istanbul, Turkey: $1190, 2 layovers
Toronto, Canada – Doha, Qatar: $1246, 2 layovers
Toronto, Canada – Dubai, UAE: $1499, nonstop
Toronto, Canada – Abu Dhabi, UAE: $1502, 1 layover
Toronto, Canada – Delhi, India: $1805, 2 layovers
Recalling nearby major airports to Toronto, Detroit and New York came to mind. I checked Detroit first, but found nothing of interest. Looking at New York, I discovered flights to Delhi! It was a direct flight at a great price of $1,022.
What if we play around with the dates a bit? Let’s look at October 15th. Excellent result! We found a direct flight to Delhi for $984 with a good airline.
I check prices and dates for flights from our cities on the list to Kathmandu in the same way. Once again, Delhi comes out on top, $273 Canadian dollars, nonstop.
The total round trip from New York to Kathmandu will cost 983 + 251 = 1234 Canadian dollars.
I still need to get from Toronto to New York on the day we need. I found a flight from Toronto to the airport (Newark Liberty International Airport) from where the plane departs to Delhi, and it turned out to be quite convenient too. Although most likely, it’s possible to find tickets even cheaper closer to the date.
So, the total cost of all tickets will be around $1,500 Canadian dollars, which is a whopping $900 cheaper than the initial price! I also love the idea of spending 10 relaxing hours in Zurich on the way back. I can explore the city and then continue my journey feeling refreshed!
It’s important to remember that the cheapest ticket isn’t always the best value. Consider additional expenses like baggage fees, travel time, and potential hotel stays during layovers.
This route looks promising. All airlines allow the required amount of baggage, and the 7-hour layover in Delhi is manageable. You can either stay at the airport or find an inexpensive local hotel. Financially, this option seems like the most economical choice right now.
But if money were no object, I would have chosen entirely different tickets: comfortable, nonstop flights with a luxurious airline, even tacking on a two-day Dubai stopover. There’s truly a choice for every taste and preference!
Below are some general rules for purchasing the most cost-effective tickets:
Planning
Be flexible with dates: Sometimes shifting your flight date by a day or two can result in significantly lower prices.
Consider seasonality: As a rule of thumb, airfare is cheaper during off-peak seasons and on weekdays.
Look for deals and sales: Airlines and online booking agencies frequently offer discounts and promotions. Sign up for email alerts from airlines and agencies to stay in the loop.
Use ticket aggregators: Compare prices on different websites before booking.
Consider alternative airports: Sometimes flying into a less popular airport located near your destination can be cheaper.
Booking
Book early: The earlier you book, the more likely you are to find good deals.
Clear your cache and cookies: Airlines and booking agencies may sometimes show higher prices if they see you’ve already searched for that route.
Use incognito mode: This can help avoid artificially inflated prices.
Consider connecting flights: Direct flights are usually more expensive than connecting flights.
Travel with carry-on luggage: If you can get by without checking luggage, you can save on baggage fees.
Loyalty Programs
Enroll in airline loyalty programs: This will allow you to earn miles and points that can be used to pay for future flights.
Travel rewards credit cards: Some credit cards offer rewards for airfare purchases, travel insurance, and other benefits.
Unusual Ways
Fare mistakes: Airlines sometimes mistakenly list fares that are too low. There are websites that help you find such mistakes.
Take advantage of volunteer programs: Some volunteer programs offer free or subsidized airfare.
Become a travel blogger: If you have a large social media following, you can partner with airlines and receive free flights in exchange for promotion.
Remember: The cheapest ticket is not always the best option. When searching for tickets, consider factors such as travel time, number of connections, flight and arrival convenience, and services included in the ticket price.
Good luck finding great deals on airfare!
