Flying around the world doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. With the right strategies and resources, you can find amazing flight deals that make globetrotting affordable and accessible. Whether you’re planning a round-the-world trip or just want to visit a few countries, there are numerous ways to snag cheap flights and stretch your travel budget. Here’s how to travel around the world without burning a hole in your wallet by taking advantage of flight deals and savvy booking tactics.
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1. Round-the-World (RTW) Tickets: A Convenient & Cost-Effective Option
One of the best ways to see multiple destinations in one trip is by purchasing a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket. These tickets are offered by global airline alliances, and they allow you to fly to several destinations with just one booking.
- How it works: RTW tickets are usually sold by airline alliances like the Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. They allow you to travel to a set number of destinations, usually with a maximum number of stops (often around 16). The tickets are priced based on the distance traveled and the class of service you choose, so the more stops you make, the more expensive it can be—but it’s often much cheaper than booking individual flights.
- Where to look:
- Star Alliance RTW: With airlines like Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Lufthansa, this alliance offers various RTW fare options.
- Oneworld RTW: This alliance includes airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas.
- SkyTeam RTW: Featuring airlines like Delta, Air France, and KLM, SkyTeam offers a variety of RTW itineraries.
- Pro Tip: The key to getting a great deal with RTW tickets is flexibility. You can often change the dates or even the destinations, but doing so might incur additional fees. Be sure to check all the rules and restrictions before booking.
2. Flight Search Engines: Find the Best Deals
Using flight search engines can help you compare prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms to find the best deals for your trip. Some of the best websites and apps for finding cheap flights include:
- Google Flights: Google Flights is one of the best tools for searching and tracking flight prices. You can filter by price, layovers, and flight duration, and it will often suggest alternative airports or dates to save money.
- Skyscanner: Skyscanner aggregates flights from many different airlines and travel agencies, making it a good option for comparing prices. You can set up price alerts to track when your desired flight goes on sale.
- Kayak: Kayak offers a similar service to Skyscanner but also provides additional tools like KAYAK Explore, which helps you find cheap flights to various destinations based on your budget.
- Momondo: Momondo searches a wide range of airlines and booking sites to ensure you get the best prices for your flights.
- Scott’s Cheap Flights: This is a premium subscription service that emails you deals and error fares for international flights. It’s perfect for finding discounted flights to places you may not have originally considered.
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3. Use “Error Fares” to Your Advantage
One of the best-kept secrets of budget travelers is error fares. These are mistakes made by airlines or booking websites when they publish flight prices, which often result in huge discounts.
- What are error fares?: Error fares happen when a flight’s price is mistakenly set too low due to a technical glitch, human error, or miscommunication between airlines and booking websites.
- How to find error fares:
- Use Google Alerts to set up notifications for specific routes or destinations.
- Follow flight deal websites like Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Fly4Free, which specialize in posting error fares as soon as they are discovered.
- Use apps like Airfarewatchdog to stay up-to-date on mistakes and flash sales.
- Pro Tip: Error fares can disappear quickly, so if you find one, you’ll need to act fast! Be sure to double-check the dates, restrictions, and airlines before purchasing.
4. Flexible Travel Dates: The Key to Saving Big
Flexibility is one of the best ways to save money on flights. Prices fluctuate depending on the time of year, day of the week, and even the time of day.
- Use Flexible Date Search: Most flight search engines (like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Momondo) allow you to search for flights on flexible dates. By being open to different travel dates, you can save hundreds of dollars, as prices can vary dramatically.
- Avoid Peak Seasons: Traveling during peak seasons (holidays, school breaks, and summer months) can be much more expensive. Consider visiting during shoulder seasons or off-peak months, when flight prices drop and destinations are less crowded.
- Fly Mid-Week: Flights are often cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays compared to weekends. Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays, as these are peak travel days for business and leisure travelers alike.
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5. Fly with Budget Airlines for Affordable International Travel
While major airlines offer comfortable and reliable services, budget airlines can often provide much cheaper flights for travelers willing to compromise on amenities. Many budget carriers fly long-haul routes, making them a great choice for global travel.
- Popular Budget Airlines:
- AirAsia (Asia-Pacific region)
- EasyJet (Europe)
- Ryanair (Europe)
- Norwegian Air (Europe to the U.S.)
- Jetstar Airways (Asia-Pacific)
- Southwest Airlines (North America)
- Spirit Airlines (North America)
- Tips for Flying Budget Airlines:
- Always read the fine print—budget airlines often charge extra for checked luggage, seat selection, and even food.
- Be prepared for fewer amenities (e.g., no in-flight entertainment or complimentary snacks), but the savings can be significant.
- Book directly with the airline’s website to avoid hidden fees that may appear on third-party booking sites.
6. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters & Alerts
Many airlines offer special promotions, flash sales, and discounts to their email subscribers. Signing up for airline newsletters can keep you informed of these deals and help you get access to limited-time offers. Some airlines also provide early access to sales, exclusive discounts, and personalized offers.
- Airline Deals:
- Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates often offer promotions and discounted fares to destinations worldwide.
- Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines regularly offer discounts through their loyalty programs and email lists.
- Pro Tip: Use a dedicated email address for travel deals to keep your inbox organized and to avoid missing out on great offers.
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7. Consider Stopovers for Extra Savings and Exploration
Many airlines offer discounted flights with stopovers in their hub cities. If you have the time, consider booking a flight with a long layover in a city you’ve always wanted to visit. Not only will you save on airfare, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore a new destination on your way to your final stop.
- Popular Airlines with Stopover Programs:
- Icelandair: Stopover in Reykjavik for up to 7 days at no extra cost.
- Emirates: Stop in Dubai and explore the city before continuing your journey.
- Qatar Airways: Stop in Doha for a day or two, often with discounted hotel offers.
- Turkish Airlines: Stop in Istanbul and take advantage of the city’s rich cultural offerings.
8. Use Airline Miles and Points
Frequent flyer programs are a great way to earn rewards through your everyday purchases, which you can later redeem for free flights or upgrades. By using travel rewards credit cards and accumulating miles with your airline loyalty programs, you can significantly reduce your flight costs.
- Popular Frequent Flyer Programs:
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Delta SkyMiles
- United MileagePlus
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Pro Tip: If you’re just getting started with miles, consider signing up for a travel rewards credit card to earn bonus points that you can use toward flights.
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Traveling around the world on a budget is possible with the right strategies and resources. From booking Round-the-World tickets with airline alliances to leveraging flight search engines and utilizing stopover deals, there are plenty of ways to save on airfare. Being flexible with dates, flying with budget airlines, and signing up for alerts can all help you snag the best deals. With a little research and patience, you can embark on your global adventure without breaking the bank!