How to Find Cheap Flights for Digital Nomads
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey that counts” And if possible, we’d like that journey to be budget-friendly. Finding cheap flights can quickly become overwhelming with so many portals, hidden fees, and endless route options to go through. But after years of living the digital nomad life, we’ve learned a few tricks. Here are seven proven tips to help you find the best flight deals to destinations around the world.
1. Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates
Flexibility is your best friend when it comes to finding budget-friendly flights. Prices can fluctuate by up to 50% depending on the day of the week or even the month. To maximize your chances of scoring a deal, try to plan your flights first before booking accommodation. This gives you more flexibility in choosing the cheapest dates.
- Flexible dates: Use search portals like Kiwi.com or Trip.com with the ±1, 3, or even 5-day option to find better fares.
- Flexible destinations: Take it a step further and choose your destination based on flight prices. Most flight search engines offer an “Anywhere” option to help you discover affordable trips from your departure city.
2. Find the Best Time to Book
Timing is everything. While digital nomads might struggle with committing to plans more than a few weeks ahead, booking early often increases your chances of finding flight deals.
- The best booking window: For domestic flights, aim to book 1–3 months in advance. For international trips, the sweet spot is usually 3–8 months ahead.
- Set up price alerts: Use tools like price trackers to stay notified about sudden drops in airfare.
- Avoid high season prices: Even if you’re traveling during peak times, try booking during the off-season for lower rates.
3. Travel With Hand Luggage Only
Traveling light not only simplifies your journey but can save you a lot of money, especially on budget airlines and short-haul flights.
- Invest in quality carry-on luggage: A good backpack (like this one from Osprey) or a compact suitcase that meets carry-on size requirements is key.
- Compare fares with luggage included: If you can’t down-size on luggage, select the luggage option in your search. A slightly pricier ticket that includes checked baggage can be cheaper than adding luggage fees to a carry-on fare.
4. Fly From Alternative Airports
Sometimes it’s worth considering flights from or to nearby airports rather than the main hub. This is particularly true in regions like Europe and Southeast Asia, where ground transport options like trains and buses are widely available and affordable.
- Focus on the big jump: Prioritize finding the cheapest way to cross the ocean or cover long-haul distances.
- Use multi-modal transport options: Platforms like 12Go for Asia or FlixBus in Europe can help you combine flights with buses or trains for the final leg of your journey.
5. Consider Longer Stopovers
Direct flights are great, but they’re not always the most cost-effective. Splitting your trip into segments with a stopover can often save you money. Plus, stopovers are a great excuse to explore new destinations.
- Layover-friendly cities: Places like Singapore, Dubai, or Bangkok are popular for longer layovers and often worth a visit.
- Airline stopover perks: Airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways offer discounted hotels and city tours for extended stopovers.
6. Use the Self-Transfer Option
Self-transfers are another way to find cheap flights, though they require a bit more planning. With this option, you’ll need to pick up your luggage and re-check it at your layover airport, but it’s often significantly cheaper than booking a ticket with automatic transfers.
- Allow extra time: Make sure to leave at least 3 hours between flights to collect your luggage, change terminals, and re-check in.
- Check visa requirements: If your layover airport requires you to leave the transit zone, you may need a visa for the country you’re passing through.
7. Try Hidden City Ticketing (With Caution)
This strategy isn’t for everyday use but can be a lifesaver when affordable options are limited. Hidden city ticketing involves booking a flight with a layover at your intended destination and skipping the final leg of the trip.
- Only carry hand luggage: Since your checked baggage will be sent to the final destination on your ticket, this strategy only works with carry-ons.
- Legal considerations: Keep in mind that airlines don’t permit this practice and may penalize frequent use. Ensure you meet visa requirements for the final destination listed on your ticket to board the first flight.
- At the time of writing this post, the only platform I’m aware of offering this as a search option is Kiwi.com.
Extra Tip: How to Bridge Long Layovers
Stuck at the airport for hours? Here are a few ways to make the most of your time:
- Relax in airport lounges: Use apps like LoungeBuddy to find affordable lounge access or check if your bank offers perks like discounted lounge entry (e.g., Revolut). Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere with free food and drinks.
- Work or relax: Airports usually have free Wi-Fi, so you can use layover time to catch up on work or simply unwind.
- Explore the city: If your layover is long enough (6-12h), check for free city tours. Airports like Singapore (Changi) or Doha Hamad offer them for passengers with long layovers.
With these strategies, finding cheap flights as a digital nomad doesn’t have to be stressful. From flexible dates to sneaky booking strategies, there are plenty of ways to save on travel while exploring the world. Safe travels!
