Flying in 2025? Here’s How to Score the Cheapest Flights
Airfare might not be as cheap as it used to be, but if you know where to look and when to book, finding a great deal on flights in 2025 is still totally doable. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a long-haul adventure, or just looking to head home for the holidays, smart strategies and the right tools can help you save big.
With travel trends constantly shifting and new tools popping up all the time, this guide breaks down the most effective, up-to-date tips for booking the cheapest flights in 2025. No fluff—just real, practical advice to help you get the best prices, every time.
✈️ 1. Use Flight Search Engines the Smart Way
Not all flight search engines are created equal. Sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak continue to be top picks in 2025, but the trick is in how you use them.
Pro tips:
- Use Google Flights to spot trends and flexible dates.
- Check Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature to find the cheapest destination if your dates are flexible.
- Compare results on Momondo, which often finds cheaper “hidden fares” other tools miss.
- Once you find the lowest price, check the airline’s official site—it may be cheaper or offer more flexible cancellation policies.
💡 Insider insight: Some third-party search engines don’t include low-cost carriers like Southwest, Ryanair, or AirAsia. Always cross-check on those airline websites directly.
📅 2. Book at the Right Time
The timing of your booking matters—big time. While the “book exactly 47 days in advance” rule is outdated, the general idea still holds: don’t wait too long, but also don’t rush.
Best general booking windows for 2025:
- Domestic flights: 1 to 3 months ahead
- International flights: 2 to 8 months ahead
- Holiday travel: Book as early as 6–11 months in advance
🕒 Avoid last-minute bookings unless you’re flying a budget carrier with flash sales. Prices typically spike in the last 2 weeks before departure.
💬 Real traveler tip: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the cheapest days to book and to fly.
📉 3. Use Alerts and Track Prices Over Time
Set up price alerts for your destination and dates so you can jump when the price drops. Tools like:
- Hopper (great predictive features)
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
…can all send you alerts when prices change or when they hit their lowest point.
📈 Bonus move: Start tracking flights even if you’re not 100% sure about the trip. This gives you a baseline idea of what’s “cheap” vs overpriced.
🧳 4. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times
Flexibility is one of the most powerful tools for saving money on airfare.
Tips to unlock the lowest prices:
- Fly midweek (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays are usually cheapest).
- Avoid flying during peak hours (early morning or late night flights are often less expensive).
- Shift your departure or return date by even one day—it can shave off $100+.
- Consider flying out a day earlier or staying an extra night if hotel rates are low.
📆 Flexible travelers win. Use search engines’ “flexible date” tools to see how fares change day by day.
🛫 5. Consider Nearby Airports
If you’re flying to or from a major city, check alternative airports. For example:
- Flying to New York? Look at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.
- Heading to London? Consider Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, or Stansted.
- Going to Los Angeles? Don’t overlook Burbank, Long Beach, or Ontario.
📍 Pro tip: Sometimes flying into a smaller airport and renting a car or taking a shuttle is still cheaper overall—even with added ground transport.
💳 6. Use Points, Miles, or Travel Rewards
If you have a travel rewards credit card or frequent flyer miles, 2025 is a great time to start cashing them in. Flight prices are volatile, but points values often stay consistent.
Best practices:
- Sign up for airline loyalty programs (they’re free).
- Use tools like Point.me or AwardHacker to compare award availability.
- Transfer credit card points to airline partners (Amex, Chase, Capital One all have good ones).
- Use miles when cash prices are high, and cash when points values are low.
🎁 Bonus tip: Keep an eye out for points sales and bonus transfer promotions—airlines often offer extra miles for transferring at specific times.
💡 7. Don’t Fall for the Basic Economy Trap
Basic Economy might look like the cheapest option—but often it’s not the best value.
Why?
- You can’t choose a seat.
- No carry-on or checked baggage.
- No flexibility or refunds.
- Sometimes no frequent flyer miles.
✅ Better move: Compare total costs, including baggage fees. Sometimes a standard economy fare is just $20–30 more and saves major headaches later.
🌍 8. Fly Budget Airlines for Big Savings
Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, JetBlue, Spirit, Scoot, and AirAsia can save you hundreds—if you know what you’re getting into.
Things to watch for:
- Baggage fees (always read the fine print).
- Airport locations (some are far from the city).
- Limited customer service if things go wrong.
💸 Budget flight hack: Book your outbound and return flights separately, even with different carriers, to piece together the cheapest roundtrip.
🕵️♂️ 9. Use Incognito Mode When Searching
While the idea that airlines track your searches to raise prices is debatable, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
How to stay stealthy:
- Search flights using incognito or private browsing mode.
- Clear your browser cookies periodically.
- Use multiple devices or browsers to compare.
🔒 Just in case—it never hurts to cover your tracks when shopping for deals.
🌐 10. Consider Booking in Foreign Currencies (But Be Careful)
In some cases, booking through a different country’s version of an airline’s website can result in cheaper fares due to currency differences or regional pricing.
⚠️ Warning: Only do this if you’re confident in what you’re doing. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card, and double-check refund rules and language settings.
✨ Frequently Asked Questions: Flight Booking in 2025
Q: When is the cheapest time of year to fly?
The least expensive months to fly in 2025 are likely to be January, February, September, and early November (excluding holidays). Avoid spring break, summer vacations, and late December.
Q: Are flight prices higher in 2025?
Yes, on average, flight prices have slightly increased compared to pre-pandemic years due to fuel prices, labor shortages, and demand. But with the right strategies, great deals are still out there.
Q: Is booking last-minute ever a good idea?
Only in very specific cases. Budget airlines sometimes release flash sales, but for most international or popular domestic routes, booking 1–3 months out is smarter.
Q: Do flight prices go down at night?
Not necessarily. Pricing is dynamic and based on demand, not time of day. However, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons tend to see more fare drops.
Q: Are travel agencies still useful for booking flights?
In some cases—especially for complicated itineraries or international trips—yes. But for most travelers, online tools and direct booking with airlines are cheaper and more transparent.
🧳 Final Thoughts: Finding Cheap Flights in 2025 Isn’t Magic—It’s Strategy
Scoring the cheapest airfare in 2025 isn’t about luck—it’s about being flexible, planning ahead, and using the right tools. With airfare constantly shifting due to global trends, being proactive is more important than ever.
From setting up alerts and choosing off-peak days to comparing airlines and getting savvy with reward points, there are more ways than ever to save money on flights—without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
So, next time you’re itching to book a trip, remember: a little strategy goes a long way. Follow these tips, watch the trends, and you’ll be well on your way to your next adventure—without blowing your budget.
Bon voyage and happy deal-hunting! ✈️🌍