Flying, whether you love it or hate it, is undeniably the best way to get around. While road trips have their moments spread out, booking a flight is the most linear and time-efficient way to get to your destination without having to think too hard about it. Although it can be expensive, there are cheaper options as long as you are willing to be a bit flexible.
Cheap, last minute flights are typically easy to come by. Many airlines route themselves to alternative airports in an effort to lower their cost per ticket. There are multiple outlets to find inexpensive flights, most of which require you to have a flexible itinerary.
Airlines are similar to hotels in that they want to fill up as much as they can. In the same way that you can sometimes find a cheap hotel room at the very last minute, so too can you find a cheap flight. There are suitcases full of different web services as well that will actually track these flights and lock you in at the cheapest possible rate. Check out these five tips to get a cheap last minute flight.
Where Is the Cheapest Place to Fly in the US?
This is sort of a loaded question. There are different factors that dictate the cost of a plane ticket such as which airline, what airport it is taking you to, holidays, or even distance. As of July 2021, the cheapest place to fly to in the US is the city of Los Angeles, California. If you are flying from the west coast or in-state you are looking at a $24 ticket. Round-trip from New York City however would be closer to $200.
These prices fluctuate fairly often and it is something you will have to keep an eye on. Flights in general are inexpensive right now due to the Coronavirus outbreak. These prices will surely go back up once travel restrictions and regulations start loosening up. If you are looking to go on a spontaneous trip then right now is the time to do it.
How Do I Find Cheap Flights Without a Destination?
Luckily, we live in the information age where anything and everything is readily available to us with the power of the internet. Finding cheap flights is one thing, but finding cheap flights without a destination is a whole new way to party. By surrendering whatever preconceived notion you had about going somewhere specific, you can find yourself saving a ton of money by searching for the cheapest flights available.
Now, the best way to go about doing this is to keep an extremely open mind when it comes time to book the flight. Not having a minute-by-minute itinerary, in this case, will help as well as it will keep your schedules flexible so you can take a trip regardless of when the dates are for. Sometimes these flights may be to places you have not heard of, that is all part of the adventure right? Be positive and be open to what is available.
Some of the best websites to consider using with friendly interfaces are Skyscanner, Hopper, or Adioso. They will give you an option to put your arrival location as “anywhere” which is the program’s cue to basically find the cheapest flight available. This is so much fun when applying it to a surprise trip somewhere or maybe just being spontaneous with a loved one for a well-deserved vacation.
Not having a destination is not necessarily a sign of being a poor planner. Sometimes we just need to get away, regardless of where it is. It can be fun to expand your horizons literally and figuratively and more often than not it will be cheaper than perpetually holding out for a ticket to go somewhere specific. Through the simple power of going wherever the wind takes you, you can have long-lasting memories forever.
5 Tips To Get The Cheapest Last Minute Flights To Anywhere
Throw a dart onto a map, maybe just close your eyes and pick a flag out of a hat, whatever you do just simply let go off wherever you have been anticipating going. One of the most fun forms of travel is the journey, and the most fun journeys are the ones where you may not know where you will end up. This can be true with purchasing airline tickets as well. Here are five ways to find cheap flights just about anywhere:
- A flexible schedule will go a long way when it comes to where you go next. Do not get too hung up on dates or plan yourself into a box.
- Be aware that the exact destination you are looking for might not be available. Again, keep an open mind about where you may go.
- Consider taking a less luxurious airline service or put some money aside for public transport out of an airport outside of your destination.
- Red-eye flights might not seem ideal, but that is exactly what makes them a more affordable option.
- Try not to do this around holidays as it will likely not work as well as slower times of the year, check out our guide on the cheapest days to fly for maximum savings on airfare.
There are a number of different avenues you can explore when it comes to finding cheap, last minute flights. Some of which involve a little patience on the internet and others involve keeping an eye on the airline. By keeping an open mind about where you are going and what airline you will be taking you can find a handful of different ways to find flights that will not break the bank, just keep your carry-on bag ready to go.
Have a Flexible Schedule
If you are looking for a way to find cheap flights for an extremely specific set of dates then this system probably will not work for you unless you start searching pretty far ahead of time. However, this article is about finding cheap, last minute flights and not reasonably priced flights purchased beforehand. You are an untameable travel beast, you have no time for day planners, you need to board that flight now.
It is not that strange to want to just randomly feel the urge to travel and you should be able to have access to the same deals if not better ones as anyone else looking for airline tickets. As long as you are flexible in your itinerary you should not have too much of a problem finding a last minute flight. If you do happen to be looking for someplace in particular you may have trouble.
Just like with flights, hotels want to fill up every room they can in a night as it is how they keep the lights on and turn a profit. They may come down on a price a bit in an effort to get people into the hotel. If you will only stay in a certain hotel chain then this may be a bit of a hassle. This really only works with whatever is available. It will be difficult trying to book the exact place you want to stay at.
The same can be said about airlines. Airlines want to fill up the plane, especially after the year they just had dealing with the ripple effects of Covid-19. Airlines will have last minute deals on flights more often than not in an effort to fill up seats on the plane which obviously helps them make their money back. However, if you are an absolute soldier for Southwest Airlines for example you may be forced to wait a while if it is not available.
Destination, Anywhere
This may come off as repetitive but it should be considered as well. If you find yourself banking on a certain destination to become cheap you may be waiting a while. You are really just taking what you can get here, however, what you can get is typically pretty incredible. By setting your search on an airline’s website or another web service to “anywhere” you can actually just find a cheap flight without looking too hard.
By not having a place in mind you can truly open up your world to new possibilities and adventures without hog-tying yourself to one place and one place alone. This is a great way to make new memories or simply just experience something completely different altogether. You will be spinning a sort of travel roulette wheel here, which sounds kind of fun by itself, and you will learn more about the world that we live in.
It is worth mentioning that since some of these places may not be places you have necessarily heard of before you should without a doubt do your research on the area beforehand. Yes, it is fun to throw caution to the wind and go on a fun adventure but if the place you are going is dangerous within any capacity or dealing with a disease we are not familiar with then you should probably just stay away and go somewhere else.
Airlines and Airports Factor Into Cheap Flights
We briefly went over this earlier so let us expand on it. You may recall reading about how budget airlines and alternative airports play a role in cheap, last minute flights. This is a crucial detail that cannot be left out of the equation. Budget airlines are extremely self-aware, inexpensive airlines that trade luxuries for a lower cost. You may not be allowed to bring on a carry-on bag but the ticket may cost $70, for example.
If you tend to pack light this will not even be an afterthought for you.
- If you require more room or reliable in-flight Wi-Fi though, then maybe consider holding out.
- Budget airlines are not simply tin cans with wings, they are safe and efficient airlines just like everything else, they just tend to cut out a few amenities to save you money.
- These are great ideas for flights that may only be a few hours long or otherwise short-term.
Alternative airports are another thing to consider. Instead of flying from New York City to Atlanta maybe consider flying from Newark or arriving in a smaller airport in Georgia. You will most likely have to budget for taxi fares or other public transportation, however, you will save yourself some money by skipping the big-name airports.
Red-Eyes Are Cheap, Last Minute Flights
No, we are not talking about adding a shot of espresso into your morning coffee. A red-eye flight gets its name from being an early morning flight or a late-night or overnight flight. Your eyes will be red due to not sleeping, get it? They are no more or less stressful than any other flight though. It just requires a bit of willpower to wake up and make it to the airport on time so you do not miss it.
These flights are typically cheaper due to their arrival/departure times being obtuse. If someone asked you to pick them up from the airport at 4 am you would probably go through a Rolodex of excuses, right? This is exactly what makes the red-eye flight desirable if you ask anyone around here. By waking up a little earlier or staying up a little later you can save a lot of money.
Stay Away from Holidays
This should go without saying but trying to book a flight around the holiday season is an absolute no-no. It does not matter how last minute your flight is, these prices tend to be consistent when it comes to their price. Holidays are prime-time opportunities for everyone to travel, whether it be home or a family vacation. If you are looking to visit a home from across the coast then it would be in your best interest to book earlier.
In the same way that a toy store might be sold out of that hot selling item the day before Christmas Eve so too is airlines tough to get a ticket for so close to the holidays. Cheap, last minute flights are typically easy to come by but just make sure you are aware of the time of year before you start shopping for flights.
Conclusion
Traveling is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It will teach you more than any textbook and put your entire world into perspective. By keeping these five tips in mind, you can find the cheapest last minute flights to any country you are interested in visiting. So, whether you are preparing for female solo travel or looking for a cheap family vacation, make sure you use these awesome tricks to save you some cash.
This does not have to be an expensive endeavor to invest in. By following these simple tips you can find cheap, last minute flights all over the world let alone the country. Just keep an open mind and do not stress too much about the timeframe. Take a deep breath and let the world decide where you should go next.
When faced with travel uncertainties, understand the pros and cons of your options: “Is it better to cancel a flight or not show up?” by exploring our comprehensive guide for informed decision-making.