If you’re still paying full price for flights, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone planning their first getaway, knowing how and when to book your flights can save you hundreds, even thousands, of rupees. In this comprehensive guide for 2025, we’ll share insider hacks and expert tips to help you find the cheapest flights every time — for both domestic and international travel. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some of the best platforms, including Skyscanner, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, and IndiGo Hotels, to maximize your savings.
Table of Contents
1. Use Flight Comparison Tools Every Time for the Cheapest Flights!
The key to uncovering the best flight deals is comparison. Don’t settle for the first price you see; instead, leverage multiple flight comparison platforms that aggregate deals from hundreds of airlines.
- Skyscanner: Offers a highly flexible search option where you can view prices for entire months or even across a year. Its price alert feature lets you monitor fares and get notified instantly when they drop.
- Expedia: Known for attractive flight + hotel bundle deals. If you’re booking a full trip, this can be a huge money-saver.
- Booking.com: Beyond hotels, Booking.com is becoming a go-to for European budget airlines, showing you deals you might miss elsewhere.
- Agoda: Great for flights in the Asian region, especially with options to combine with hotel stays for better offers.
- IndiGo Hotels: Perfect for Indian travelers, IndiGo Hotels offers curated hotel deals that often come bundled with flight options, giving you a one-stop solution to book your entire trip affordably.
Pro Tip: Always search in incognito or private browsing mode to avoid inflated prices due to cookies tracking your searches. Also, compare prices on both desktop and mobile apps — sometimes one platform or device will show better rates.
2. Book at the Right Time — Timing Is Everything
Many travelers don’t realize that when you book can be just as important as where you book.
- Best Days to Book Flights: Tuesday and Wednesday are historically the best days to find discounted fares. Airlines often release deals early in the week to fill up seats.
- Best Times to Fly: Flying early in the morning or late at night usually costs less. These “off-peak” hours have lower demand.
- Booking Windows:
- Domestic flights: Ideal to book 1 to 2 months in advance.
- International flights: Book 2 to 5 months ahead for the best deals.
Tools like Skyscanner’s “cheapest month” feature allow you to find the lowest fares across multiple months, giving you ultimate flexibility.
3. Flexibility Pays Off — Dates and Airports Matter
If you can be flexible with your travel dates and airports, you can save a significant amount:
- Try searching for flights a day before or after your preferred travel date. A difference of just 24 hours can cut your airfare by up to 20-40%.
- Check nearby airports for cheaper flights. For example, flying out of Gatwick instead of Heathrow or using Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Airport instead of HAL can make a difference.
Example: Flying from Delhi to Bangkok on a Thursday instead of Friday saved a traveler ₹4,000 recently!
4. Book One-Way Flights Separately — Sometimes It’s Cheaper
Don’t always assume a round-trip ticket is your cheapest option. Often, booking two one-way flights through different airlines or platforms can save you money.
For example:
- Book your outbound flight via Skyscanner (to find the cheapest airline for that leg).
- Book your return via Expedia or IndiGo Hotels’ flight + hotel bundles.
This approach takes more time but can lead to significant savings.
5. Set Price Alerts and Monitor Constantly
Flight prices fluctuate based on demand, seasons, and even time of day. Setting price alerts on platforms like Skyscanner, Expedia, Booking.com, and IndiGo Hotels helps you track fares in real-time. When prices drop, you get notified immediately so you can book before fares rise again.
Don’t wait till the last minute; fares often increase sharply as the departure date nears.
6. Use Regional Budget Airlines for Short-Haul Savings
For many regions, budget airlines offer rock-bottom fares. Use them wisely to keep costs low:
- Southeast Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, Nok Air, VietJet
- Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling
- India and nearby: IndiGo Airlines (India’s largest budget carrier), SpiceJet, GoAir
Many of these airlines appear on Skyscanner and Booking.com Flights, so you can easily compare.
7. Apply Coupons, Cashback & Reward Points
Before confirming your booking, always check for coupons, promo codes, or cashback offers on platforms like Agoda, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and IndiGo Hotels. Many websites partner with banks and wallets to offer exclusive discounts or cashback on flights and hotels.
Using a rewards credit card or a travel wallet app can add extra savings or perks like free lounge access.
8. Clear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode Before Booking
Many travel sites track repeated searches through cookies. This can cause prices to rise artificially when they detect your interest in a particular route.
To avoid this:
- Use your browser’s incognito/private mode.
- Switch devices or use different browsers to double-check prices.
This simple trick often reveals better deals.
9. Bundle Flights + Hotels for Extra Savings
Booking your flight and hotel together on platforms like Expedia, Agoda, Booking.com, or IndiGo Hotels often unlocks discounts of up to 25% or more compared to booking separately.
If you’re planning a trip, consider packages to reduce costs and simplify the booking process.
10. Don’t Skip Travel Insurance
Many travelers overlook travel insurance, but it can save you from hefty cancellation or medical costs. Especially with fluctuating flight prices and pandemic uncertainties, investing in affordable insurance via Expedia, Booking.com, or IndiGo Hotels is a wise choice.
Final Takeaway: Book Smarter, Travel Farther in 2025
Flights don’t have to break the bank if you use the right strategies and platforms. By following these insider hacks — leveraging flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, and IndiGo Hotels — you’ll always be one step ahead of price hikes and hidden fees.
Remember:
- Be flexible with dates and airports.
- Set price alerts and act fast.
- Use coupons and bundle bookings for extra value.
- Always check multiple platforms and clear your cookies.
Start applying these tips today, and you’ll save big on your next trip — domestic or international. Happy travels!
