Flights can take up a huge chunk of your travel budget, but with the right strategies, you can save thousands of rupees and make your trip more affordable. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, these tips will help you find the cheapest flights in 2025.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flight prices fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and even the day of the week. Here’s how you can save by being flexible:
- Use fare comparison tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to check prices for an entire month.
- Fly midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper than weekends).
- Avoid peak seasons like Diwali, Christmas, summer vacations, and long weekends.
💰 Example Savings: A Delhi to Bangkok round-trip ticket can cost ₹20,000+ during peak season but drops to ₹12,000-₹14,000 during the off-season.
Bonus Tip:
Use Skyscanner’s "Cheapest Month" feature to find the most affordable time to fly.
2. Book Flights in Advance (But Not Too Early!)
The best time to book flights:
- Domestic flights → 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
- International flights → 2 to 4 months in advance.
Booking too early or too late can result in higher fares.
💰 Example Savings: A Mumbai to Dubai ticket booked last minute can cost ₹35,000+, but if booked 2-3 months in advance, it may cost only ₹18,000-₹22,000.
3. Use Budget Airlines for Short-Haul Flights
Budget airlines like IndiGo, AirAsia, SpiceJet, and Go First offer lower fares compared to full-service carriers like Air India or Vistara.
💰 Example Savings: A one-way Bengaluru to Goa ticket with a budget airline can cost as low as ₹1,500-₹2,000, while full-service airlines may charge ₹4,000+.
🚨 Tip: Budget airlines charge extra for baggage, seat selection, and meals. Travel light to avoid additional costs.
4. Use Incognito Mode While Searching for Flights
Many travel websites track your searches and increase prices if they see repeated searches for the same route.
✔️ Solution: Use incognito mode in your browser or clear cookies before searching for flights.
💰 Example Savings: A Delhi to London ticket might initially show ₹50,000, but after multiple searches, it could jump to ₹55,000+.
5. Book Connecting Flights Instead of Direct Flights
Sometimes, booking two separate connecting flights can be cheaper than booking a direct flight.
💰 Example Savings: A direct Mumbai to Paris flight might cost ₹55,000, but booking Mumbai to Istanbul (₹30,000) and Istanbul to Paris (₹15,000) separately could save ₹10,000.
📍 Pro Tip: Use Google Flights' "Multi-City" feature to find cheaper routes.
6. Use Airline Miles, Credit Cards & Cashback Offers
Many Indian banks offer travel credit cards with miles and discounts on flight bookings. Some popular ones include:
- HDFC Regalia – Earn miles and get free airport lounge access.
- SBI Air India Signature Card – Ideal for Air India travelers.
- Axis Bank Vistara Infinite – Free upgrades and Vistara Club membership.
💰 Example Savings: If you book flights worth ₹1,00,000 annually using a good travel credit card, you could earn free domestic or even international tickets worth ₹15,000-₹20,000!
🚨 Tip: Always check for bank offers on Paytm, Amazon Pay, Flipkart, and MakeMyTrip for instant flight discounts.
7. Use Student & Group Discounts
If you’re a student, airlines like Vistara, Air India, and IndiGo offer up to 10% off on flight bookings.
💰 Example Savings: A Kolkata to Delhi ticket that costs ₹5,000 may drop to ₹4,500 with a student discount.
📍 How to Get It? You’ll need to carry a valid student ID while traveling.
8. Consider Alternative Airports
Flying into smaller or alternative airports can sometimes be much cheaper.
💰 Example Savings: Instead of flying directly to London Heathrow (₹55,000), flying to London Gatwick (₹45,000) and taking a train can save ₹10,000.
📍 Pro Tip: Look for nearby airports on Google Flights and compare prices.
9. Sign Up for Fare Alerts
Websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Airfarewatchdog allow you to set price alerts for specific routes. This way, you’ll get notified when ticket prices drop.
💰 Example Savings: If a Chennai to Singapore flight drops from ₹18,000 to ₹13,000, you’ll be the first to know!
10. Travel Light to Avoid Extra Fees
Budget airlines charge extra for checked baggage, so try to fit everything into a carry-on bag.
💰 Example Savings: SpiceJet charges ₹500-₹900 per kg for excess baggage. If you avoid checking in a bag, you could save ₹2,000-₹5,000 per trip.
🚨 Tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding them to maximize space in your cabin bag.
Final Takeaway: How to Save BIG on Flights
✅ Be flexible with travel dates
✅ Book flights 2-4 months in advance
✅ Use budget airlines for short trips
✅ Search flights in incognito mode
✅ Use credit card rewards & discounts
✅ Sign up for fare alerts
✅ Travel light & avoid baggage fees
With these hacks, you can save ₹5,000-₹30,000 on your next flight! ✈️
👉 Which of these tips have you tried before? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️
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