Booking Affordable Last-Minute Flights
Booking close to departure puts you past the point where fares are usually lowest, so flexibility is what saves money: on dates, airports and even destination. Add bag fees to the fare and check entry rules before you pay.
- Budget
- Outside the cheapest booking window
- Duration
- Book as soon as you know
- Best Time
- Low season (avoiding major holidays)
- Visa Required
- Depends on the destination; always verify entry requirements before finalizing payment.
Step by step
Don't waste time on incognito mode
Your browsing history doesn't set the fare. A 2014 study that queried 25 airlines twice a day for three weeks found no evidence of systematic price discrimination, and a 2021 study of Alitalia, Ryanair and Lufthansa found that people with the airline's cookie saw exactly the same prices as first-time visitors. One common reason a fare jumps is that the cheapest fare class has sold out. Incognito mode won't bring it back.
Use 'Everywhere' search tools
Skyscanner and Google Flights both let you search without a fixed destination. If you're flexible about where you go, start there.
Check regional airports
Check secondary airports near your destination and add up the full cost: the fare, bags and the train or bus into town.
Monitor for 24-hour windows
Set a price alert, but don't wait long for a drop.
Questions people ask
Is it true that flights are cheapest on Tuesdays?
This is largely a myth. Prices fluctuate based on airline demand algorithms, not the day of the week you hit the 'book' button.
Should I wait until the day before for a cheaper fare?
Usually not. In Google's data, fares were lowest on average weeks before departure, so waiting for a last-minute drop is a gamble.
- Notes
- Add bag and seat fees to the fare before you compare.
- Price Per Day
- Not applicable: this is a booking strategy.
Packing
- A bag that fits your airline's free personal-item size
- A portable luggage scale to ensure you don't hit overweight baggage fees at the gate.
- A universal travel adapter, as you may be flying into a destination you hadn't planned for.