Buying a plane ticket should be simple. But anyone who has ever searched for flights knows it isn’t: the price changes depending on the day, the time, the browser you use, and even the country you’re in. A flight to the same destination can cost twice as much depending on when and how you buy it.
There’s no magic formula — but there are patterns. And knowing them can make a real difference to your travel budget. Here are the secrets we use at Oliveira Travel to find the best fares for our clients.
1. Book in advance — but not too far in advance.
Common sense suggests booking as early as possible. The reality is more nuanced.
For long-haul flights (Europe–Asia, Europe–America), the ideal interval is usually between 3 to 6 months before Regarding the departure. Too early and the fares are still high; too late and the cheap seats are already gone.
For intra-European flights, the interval is different: 4 to 8 weeks before This is usually the sweet spot. Low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet have flash sales that can pop up at any time — but the 4-8 week window historically has the best fares.
Rule of thumb: If you already have set dates, book now. Waiting for the “right moment” rarely pays off — and the risk of paying more is real.
2. Be Flexible on the Days — Even if Only a Little
Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Friday or Sunday can save you between 20% and 40% on the same flight. It’s not a myth — it’s a fact.
Airlines adjust prices based on demand. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are peak times. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are consistently cheaper on most routes.
If you can leave on Wednesday instead of Friday, seriously consider doing so.
Useful tool: Google Flights has a calendar view that shows the price for each day of the month. It’s worth exploring before setting dates.
3. Use Incognito Mode (Or Change Browser)
This is still debated — but it’s worth taking precautions. Some flight websites and search engines use cookies to record your previous searches and may slightly increase prices when they detect repeated interest in a route.
Always search in anonymous/private mode From your browser, or clear your cookies between searches. It doesn’t guarantee lower prices — but it eliminates a variable you don’t control.
4. Compare Everything — But Book at the Right Place
Tools such as Google Flights, Skyscanner and Kayak They’re great for comparing. But it’s not always best to book directly through them.
After finding your ideal flight, go to the airline’s website and check if the price is the same or better. Often it is — and you have the advantage of dealing directly with the airline in case of changes or cancellations.
Intermediary platforms are great for comparing prices, but booking directly gives you more control.
5. Consider flights with layovers.
Direct flights are more convenient — but they can cost significantly more. On long-haul routes, a flight with a well-chosen layover can save you €150 to €300 per person.
The trick is to choose layovers with enough time (a minimum of 2 hours for intra-European flights, 3 hours for intercontinental flights) to avoid the stress of missing your connection — and to take advantage of longer layovers to explore the city you’re passing through.
Example: Flights from Lisbon to Tokyo with a layover in Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Doha (Qatar Airways) are often €200–€400 cheaper than direct flights — and Turkish and Qatar have some of the best in-flight service in the world.
6. Beware of Hidden Fees
The price you see in the advertisement is rarely what you pay. Low-cost airlines are especially known for this—but they all do it to some extent.
Before confirming your reservation, always check:
- Hand luggage and checked baggage Many base fares include nothing more than a small backpack.
- Choosing a place Some companies charge for locations that aren’t random.
- Payment fee Some websites charge a fee for credit card payments.
- Check-in at the airport Ryanair, for example, charges a high fee for checking in at the counter.
The final price with all the extras can be very different from the initial price.
7. Activate Price Alerts
If you have a specific destination but flexible dates, activate price alerts on… Google Flights or Skyscanner. You’ll receive a notification when the price drops — and you can take advantage of it.
This strategy works especially well for trips planned 4 to 6 months in advance, where there is time to wait for a good fare without the risk of the flight filling up.
8. Positioning Flights — The Trick Used by Experienced Travelers
If you live near more than one airport, compare prices from each one. Often it’s worth taking a train or bus to a different airport to save a significant amount of money.
Example: if you live in Lisbon but there is a much cheaper flight from Porto, the cost of the train (€20 to €30) can be clearly offset by the price difference in the flight.
The lowest price isn’t always the best.
One important final note: the cheapest flight isn’t always the best option. A flight with a 12-hour layover, departing at 4 AM, with 15kg of baggage allowance to be paid for separately, can end up costing more—in money and energy—than a slightly more expensive fare with more amenities.
In Oliveira TravelWe help our clients find the right balance between price and quality — ensuring they arrive at their destination rested and within budget.
Talk to us at oliveira-travel.com We help you plan your entire trip, including flights.
Do you have any tips for finding cheap flights that aren’t listed here? Share them in the comments — we love learning from frequent travelers.
