How to Get Cheap International Flights - 6 Proven Ways to Save up to 50%+

Learn how to get international flights with these tips. Best booking times, VPN tricks, & Trip.com flight deals up to 50% off.

Where to Find Cheapest International Flights - Up to 50% Off

I book all my flights through one main site - and it's saved me thousands. Here's exactly how I use Trip.com to get cheap international flights tickets:

1. Trip.com flight promo codes & deals
I check Trip.com's flight deals page every few days, many deals have up to 50% off. They gather all the best sales in one place - especially for international routes. Found my $380 roundtrip to Tokyo here.

2. Flexible dates = biggest savings
If you can move your trip by even 1-2 days, use Trip.com's flexible flight search. Their calendar shows the exact cheapest days to fly. This trick alone has saved me $200+ per ticket.

3. Don't miss Student flight discounts
Still have a student ID? Check student flight discounts on Trip.com. Even if you graduated recently, some airlines still accept old IDs. Just check and see what deals you can get.

4. Last-minute flight deals
If you absolutely must book late, read Trip.com's last-minute flight guide. Warning: this is risky, but I once got a $400 flight to London 3 days before departure.

5. Using frequent flyer points? Read this
Frequent flyer? See how Trip coins & Trip.com Air Miles work. I've gotten free flights just from booking through them regularly.

6. Trip.com credit card perks
If you have their card, check Trip.com credit card guide. The extra miles can make a big difference on international flights.

Pro tip: SIGN UP FOR THEIR EMAILS. I've booked flights for half price because their sale alert hit my inbox first. The best deals disappear fast.

How to Get Cheap International Flights | Less Popular Routes & Airlines

Credit: Unsplash, Pascal Meier

Don't just default to the big names. Sometimes the cheapest ticket involves an airline or route you never considered.

• Consider Budget Long-Haul: Airlines like PLAY (Iceland), Norse Atlantic, French Bee, or Scoot (Asia) offer no-frills transatlantic/Pacific flights. Pack light, bring snacks, save big.
• Look for "Secret" Stopovers: A flight with a long layover might be way cheaper than a direct one. Sometimes you can even stretch it into a free mini-trip! Icelandair and TAP Portugal are famous for this.
• Fly Into a Hub, Then Connect Cheaply: Fly cheaply to a major European/Asian hub (like London, Paris, Istanbul, Singapore, Bangkok) on a budget carrier, then use a separate super cheap regional flight (think Ryanair, EasyJet, AirAsia) to your final spot. Takes more planning, but the savings are real.

How to Get Cheap International Flights | Book Flexible Flights

Credit: Unsplash, John McArthur

Stubborn plans cost money. Want cheap? Bend a little and choose more flexible flights.

• Fly Tuesday/Wednesday: Seriously. Weekends = expensive. Shifting your trip by even ONE DAY can save hundreds. Try it.
• Check Nearby Airports: Don't just use the big one. Got a smaller airport an hour or two away? Check prices there. Flying into a cheaper city nearby and taking a train/bus can slash costs.
• Skip Peak Travel Times: Summer holidays? Christmas? Forget it. Prices are insane. Aim for April-May or September-October (shoulder seasons). Better weather, fewer people, way better prices. Sometimes early November or late March works too.

How to Get Cheap International Flights | Cheapest Time to Fly

How to Get Cheap International Flights | When to Book Flights

Ignore anyone telling you to book exactly 6 weeks out on a Tuesday at 2 PM. It's mostly junk. Here's what works:

• Busy Time Travel (Summer/Xmas): Book EARLY. Like 4-6 months early. Prices only go up. Waiting = paying more.
• Flexible & Off-Peak? You might snag a last-minute steal 2-6 weeks out if airlines panic about empty seats. Risky, but possible. Not for fixed plans.
• SET PRICE ALERTS ON TRIP.COM: This is non-negotiable lol. Pick your route and dates (or flexible dates). Trip.com emails you the second the price drops. Saves you hours of searching. Do it.

How to Get Cheap International Flights | 4 Extra Tips

Credit: Unsplash, jet dela cruz

• Clear Your Cookies? Meh. Maybe sometimes, but flexible dates matter WAY more. Use incognito if it makes you feel better, but don't rely on it.
• Credit Card Points: If you travel a lot, a good travel card is worth it for the sign-up bonus alone. It funded my last flight to Bali. Do the math first though.
• Mistake Fares: They happen, but chasing them is exhausting. If you see an insane price (like $250 roundtrip to Europe), book it IMMEDIATELY with a credit card, but know it might get cancelled. Don't plan your life around it.
• Be Ready to Book: When a killer deal pops up on your alert, JUMP. The best prices disappear fast.