10 ways to cut the cost of long-haul flights

When you’re travelling long haul, your flight can easily swallow up a big chunk of your holiday budget. The good news is that with a bit of planning and some savvy searching, you can bring the cost down without compromising on your journey.

From being more flexible to making the most of loyalty schemes, here are ten tips to help you cut the cost of a long-haul flight.

1. Be flexible with your travel dates

One of the best ways to save on long-haul flights? Flexibility.

Certain days of the week – like Tuesdays and Wednesdays – tend to have lower prices compared to weekends. Flying during off-peak seasons or avoiding busy holiday periods can also make a big difference.

Basically, demand causes prices to go up and so do your best to travel when others aren’t!

2. Set up price alerts

If you’ve got a budget in mind, tracking flights will help you find an airfare to suit.

Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner and Hopper allow you to set up price alerts for your chosen route and dates. Whenever there’s a price drop – or an increase – you’ll get a notification so you can jump on a bargain if it comes up.

3. Choose a destination served by multiple airlines

When several airlines fly the same route, they’re more likely to offer competitive prices to win over passengers. If you don’t have your heart set on one destination, pick somewhere with plenty of airline competition.

For example, major hubs like Bangkok, New York and Dubai tend to have better deals compared to smaller, less accessible airports.

You could also try flying to one of these hubs first, then seeing what cheap flights you can find to take you onwards.

4. Compare one-way and round-trip tickets

When booking long-haul flights, it’s always worth checking both one-way and round-trip ticket prices.

While round-trip fares are often cheaper, it’s not always the case. Sometimes booking two one-way tickets with different airlines can actually save you money, especially if one airline has a great outbound deal and another offers a better return fare.

5. Try alternative airports

If your destination has multiple airports, like New York’s JFK, Newark and LaGuardia, it’s worth checking prices for all of them.

Search engines usually do this for you – just make sure you’ve selected the option that says ‘All’ – but sometimes they miss out on options that aren’t too far away.

Don’t forget to consider alternative airports at home too. Driving a bit further or taking a train to another airport could save you money, even when factoring in the extra travel costs.

6. Check indirect flights

If you don’t mind a longer journey, an indirect flight with a layover can save you a significant amount of money. Flights with connections are often cheaper than direct routes, especially for long-haul travel.

Sometimes, search engines prioritise direct flights because that’s what many people want to book, so make sure you adjust your filters to include flights with one or more stops. This way, you can compare prices and decide if the savings are worth the extra travel time.

A layover also gives you the chance to stretch your legs, which can be very welcome after a long flight.

7. Look for stopover schemes

If you end up choosing a flight with a stop, check to see if the airline offers a stopover programme.

This is where airlines let you stay in their hub city for a night or two – sometimes even for free or at a heavily discounted rate. For example, airlines like Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines have stopover deals that can turn a layover into an extra mini holiday.

These destinations often have visa-waiver schemes so that you can enjoy the city without additional admin, but always double-check the requirements before you book anything.

8. Check baggage and extra fees

When comparing flight prices, always check what’s included in the fare.

Some airlines seem cheaper at first glance but charge extra for checked baggage, seat selection, meals and even carry-on luggage. These additional fees can add up quickly and make what looked like a bargain much more expensive.

9. Book your flight as part of a package deal

Sometimes the best way to save on a long-haul flight is to book it as part of a package holiday.

Travel companies often negotiate discounted rates with airlines and bundle them with hotels or car rentals, which can result in big savings compared to booking everything separately.

Browse sites like TravelSupermarket to see what’s out there and if you can’t recreate the deal by booking the flight and hotel separately, you know you’ve scored a real bargain.

10. Use points and miles

This won’t work for everyone, but a fantastic way to cut the price of long-haul flights is to use airline points and miles.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to build these up without being a frequent flyer. You can earn points through everyday spending at supermarkets, shopping with affiliated retailers, or by using a credit card that offers rewards – though it’s important to only do this if you can pay off the balance each month.

Virgin Trains Ticketing and Sainsbury’s Nectar scheme are good places to start. Just remember that you still have to pay taxes on your airfare, so make sure it’s actually worth it for you.