Ultimate Travel Hacks for Finding Low-Cost International Flights

Flight pricing is notoriously dynamic, but with the right tools and strategies, you can find incredible flight deals to almost any destination. Our lead travel analyst shares the precise workflow he uses to book low-cost international flights.

1. Set Google Flights Alerts Early

Don’t search for flights on specific days expecting a magic ‘Tuesday afternoon’ discount. Instead, use Google Flights’ flexible date matrix and set email alerts for your destination at least 3 to 6 months in advance. The system will track the fare trends and notify you the exact moment prices drop to historical lows.

2. The 24-Hour Airline Rule

In the United States and many international carriers, you can legally cancel any flight reservation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund—provided the booking was made at least 7 days before departure. This allows you to lock in a sudden flash-sale price immediately, then confirm your hotel and vacation days later.

3. Embrace ‘Open-Jaw’ Routing

Instead of booking a simple round-trip ticket (e.g., flying from New York to Paris and back from Paris), consider an ‘open-jaw’ flight where you arrive in Paris and depart from Rome or London. This saves you both travel time and train ticket costs, often showing up as a cheaper overall airline fare.