How to Find Cheap Flights: The Tricks I Actually Use

I've booked over 30 flights in the last 8 months. Long-hauls, budget carriers, error fares, and one flight that cost me $11 (Bangkok to Chiang Mai on AirAsia, booked during a flash sale). Finding cheap flights isn't luck. It's a system.

And no, incognito mode doesn't make a difference. Let's get that out of the way first.

The Incognito Mode Myth

You've seen the advice: "browse in incognito mode because airlines track your searches and raise prices." I tested this extensively. Same flight, same time, same everything. Regular browser vs incognito. Prices were identical every single time.

Airlines use dynamic pricing based on demand, time until departure, and seat availability. They don't adjust prices based on your individual browsing history. The incognito thing was maybe true in 2015. It's not true now.

Save your energy for tricks that actually work.

The Tools I Use (Ranked)

1. Google Flights (My Go-To)

Free, fast, and the "Explore" feature is incredible. Enter your departure city, leave the destination blank, select "Flexible dates," and it shows you the cheapest flights to everywhere on a map.

This is how I booked my Bangkok to Bali leg. I had no fixed destination. Google Flights showed me Bali was $89 while Vietnam was $120 and the Philippines was $95. Bali won.

Pro tip: Use the "Price graph" feature. It shows you the cheapest days to fly over the next 2 months. A Tuesday departure might be $50 cheaper than a Saturday departure on the same route.

2. Skyscanner (Best for Budget Carriers)

Skyscanner picks up budget airlines that Google Flights sometimes misses. AirAsia, Ryanair, EasyJet, IndiGo. These carriers are often the cheapest option for short-haul flights.

Use the "Everywhere" destination search and the "Cheapest month" calendar to find deals.

3. Kiwi.com (Best for Multi-City)

If you're building a multi-stop itinerary (which most backpackers are), Kiwi is the best tool. It combines airlines that don't usually sell tickets together and builds routes that no other site finds.

My Sydney > Bangkok > Chiang Mai > Hanoi > Ho Chi Minh City > Bali route was cheapest on Kiwi by about $80 compared to booking each leg separately.

Warning: Kiwi bundles separate airlines, so if one flight is delayed and you miss a connection, you're on your own. Build in buffer days between legs.

4. Secret Flying and The Points Guy (Error Fares)

Error fares happen when airlines accidentally publish the wrong price. They're rare but incredible when they pop up. I follow Secret Flying on Instagram and have notifications turned on.

I haven't personally snagged one yet, but a girl in my hostel in Lisbon flew London to Tokyo return for $250 from an error fare. She booked it on her phone from the hostel common room in about 3 minutes. Having mobile data meant she saw and booked it before it was corrected.

Booking Strategies That Actually Save Money

Be Flexible with Dates

This is the single biggest money saver. If you can fly Tuesday/Wednesday instead of Friday/Sunday, you'll often save 30-50% on the same route.

I build my itinerary around cheap flight days, not the other way around. "I want to get from Bangkok to Bali sometime in the next week" gives me way more options than "I need to fly Bangkok to Bali on Saturday."

Be Flexible with Airports

Flying into Porto instead of Lisbon. Landing in Girona instead of Barcelona. Arriving at Luton instead of Heathrow. Secondary airports often have significantly cheaper flights, and the bus/train into the city is usually under $15.

Book at the Right Time

Based on my experience and data from Hopper and Google:

• Domestic/short-haul: 2-4 weeks before departure
• Long-haul: 6-10 weeks before departure
• Peak season (Christmas, summer): 3-4 months before
• Budget carriers: As early as possible. They start cheap and only go up.

The "prices drop at the last minute" thing is mostly a myth for economy tickets. Last-minute deals exist for business class and hotels. Economy flights almost always get more expensive closer to departure.

Set Price Alerts

Google Flights lets you track a route and emails you when the price changes. I set alerts for every route I'm considering and wait for a drop. This is passive, takes zero effort, and has saved me hundreds of dollars.

Having data on your phone means you can book immediately when you get the alert. Cheap fares don't last long. I've had alerts where the price dropped by $40 and was back up within 4 hours.

Use Points and Miles (Even as a Backpacker)

I'm not a points hacker, but I do use a credit card that earns points on every purchase. After 8 months of putting hostels, food, and activities on it (and paying it off immediately), I've accumulated enough points for a free one-way flight home.

The key: get a card with no foreign transaction fees and earn points on everyday spending. Don't overthink the points game. Just let them accumulate.

Budget Carrier Survival Guide

If you're flying Ryanair, AirAsia, Spirit, or any ultra-low-cost carrier, the ticket price is just the starting point. Here's how to avoid the fee trap:

Baggage

• Carry-on only. Most budget airlines let you bring one small bag for free. Check dimensions carefully. Ryanair's "small bag" allowance is 40x20x25cm, which is basically a large purse.
• Pay for cabin bag in advance. Adding a cabin bag at the gate costs 2-3x more than adding it during booking.
• Weigh your bag at home. Budget carriers love to weigh bags at the gate and charge excess fees.

My carry-on packing system keeps everything under 7kg and within budget carrier dimensions.

Seat selection

Don't pay for it unless you're tall or anxious about flying. On a 2-hour flight, any seat is fine.

Food

Eat before you board. Airport food is expensive, but it's cheaper than airline food. Budget carrier sandwiches cost $8-12 for something you wouldn't pay $3 for on the ground.

Check-in

Always check in online. Some budget airlines charge for airport check-in. AirAsia charges RM50 ($15 AUD) for counter check-in. For free.

Boarding pass

Download it to your phone. Some airlines charge for printing at the airport. Having your phone with data means you can always access your boarding pass digitally. Another reason having a reliable eSIM matters.

My Cheapest Flights This Trip

Total for 5 flights: $115 USD. That's less than some people pay for a single domestic flight.

The Booking Flow

Here's my actual process for every flight:

1. Know my rough dates (flexible window of 3-5 days)
2. Check Google Flights with flexible dates for the cheapest day
3. Cross-reference on Skyscanner for budget carriers
4. Check Kiwi if it's a multi-city route
5. Set a price alert if I'm not in a rush
6. Book on my phone when the price looks right (this is where having data everywhere matters)
7. Check in online 24 hours before departure
8. Screenshot my boarding pass and save it offline

The whole process takes about 10 minutes per flight. After 30+ flights, it's muscle memory.

The Connection to Connectivity

This might seem random in a flight-booking article, but hear me out. The best flight deals appear and disappear fast. Error fares last hours, sometimes minutes. Flash sales go live at random times. Price alerts need you to act quickly.

All of this requires your phone to have data. Not "when you find Wi-Fi." Not "when you get to the hostel." Right now, wherever you are.

I've booked 4 flights from my phone while sitting at a cafe, walking through a market, and once from a bus in rural Vietnam. If I'd had to wait until I found Wi-Fi, those prices would have been gone.

Having a reliable eSIM isn't just about maps and messaging. It's about staying connected to the deals that make budget travel possible.

Get your GOAN eSIM

Mia Chen

22, backpacking the world one hostel at a time. Currently somewhere in Southern Europe.