How I Find Cheap Flights

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On one trip I flew from the UK to Istanbul, then Oman, Dubai, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand: nine countries in two months for under about £3,000 all in. Flights were a big part of that budget, so here’s the method I use. No hacks or tricks, just a routine that works.

1. Be flexible on dates first, destination second

The single biggest saving comes from flexibility. Before I settle on dates, I look at a whole month’s view of prices. Moving a departure by a day or two can make a big difference, especially around weekends and school holidays.

Let the map choose

Bangladesh wasn’t planned at all. I was in Oman, searched Google Flights with the destination set to “anywhere”, found a flight to Dhaka, and went. You can do this from wherever you are, at home or mid-trip. Skyscanner calls it “Everywhere”.

2. Search wide, then book narrow

I start on a comparison site that searches lots of airlines and agents at once, to get a feel for the cheapest options on the route. Then I check the same flight on Trip.com, which I use a lot, and on the airline’s own website. Sometimes the cheapest price is with an agent, sometimes it’s direct. Before paying, I always check what’s included: baggage, seat selection and change fees.

3. Think in hubs and stopovers

Long-haul flights to Asia often route through the Gulf. Rather than seeing that as a chore, I use it. My very first taste of travelling differently was a few days in Qatar on the way home from India, and on a later trip I spent a night in Dubai on my way to Dhaka. Some airlines let you build in a stopover at little or no extra cost, so you get two destinations for the price of one ticket.

On my Oman-to-Asia trip, the flight to Oman connected via Turkey, so I stopped in Istanbul for four or five days; later a flight to Dhaka connected via Dubai, so I stayed a night. Neither stopover cost anything extra in flights. The Bristol–Istanbul–Oman–Dubai–Bangladesh part cost about £250, and all 11 flights came to around £1,000. Here’s the full route.

4. Use one-way tickets and regional airlines for multi-country trips

For a trip like my nine-country loop, I rarely buy one big return. I book one-way legs between neighbouring countries, often on regional low-cost airlines. In South-East Asia these hops can be very cheap, but watch the add-ons: checked bags and seats can double the price if you’re not careful.

5. Pack to avoid baggage fees

Travelling with carry-on only is the easiest saving of all. I film with a laptop and a camera bag, so I’ve had to get good at it. (See my long-trip packing list.)

Always check in online: Ryanair currently charges £55 per person, per flight to check in at the airport. And check the under-seat bag size (Ryanair’s is currently 40 x 30 x 20 cm).

6. Set price alerts and don’t panic-buy

If a trip is months away, I set a price alert and keep an eye on it rather than booking on the first search. When a fare looks good for the route and the dates work, I book it. Waiting for a “perfect” price can cost you more.

7. Check the entry rules before you buy

This one comes from experience. I was due to fly on to China, but I wasn’t allowed to board because of a misunderstanding about my visa. I could have gone visa-free, but the airline still wouldn’t let me on, so I went back to Indonesia instead. Now I check the official entry rules, and the airline’s own guidance, before booking, and I carry printed proof of anything that might be questioned at check-in.

8. Factor in the airport

A cheap flight into an airport miles from the city, or one landing at 3am, can cost you in taxis and an extra hotel night. I once landed in Kuala Lumpur at 5am with no plan, and it worked out, but it’s worth knowing in advance how you’ll get into town.

9. Protect the trip

Cheap tickets are often non-refundable, so I make sure I’ve got travel insurance in place before I start booking, not the day before I fly. If you’re travelling long-term, SafetyWing is one option; check the cover suits you before you buy.

My quick checklist

• Flexible dates: month view checked
• Compared a comparison site, Trip.com and the airline direct
• Stopover options considered
• Baggage and seat costs included in the comparison
• Entry and visa rules checked
• Airport transfer planned
• Insurance sorted

Do that every time and the savings add up quickly. It’s how a trip that sounds expensive becomes very doable.