The Art of Finding Cheap Flights from Ireland: Your Ultimate Guide
By Fly Cheaper |
Updated December 28, 2023
In the world of travel, securing an incredible flight deal feels much like hitting the jackpot. But, have you ever scratched your head, puzzled over the enticing €20 return flight deal in a Ryanair or Aer Lingus email, only to spend countless hours on their website without a trace of these elusive fares? If you've been there, rest assured that you're not alone. Today, I'm here to dispel the myth and show you that these bargain flights are not merely figments of our travel-fueled dreams.
Imagine wrapping up your Christmas shopping in the heart of New York for a return fare of just €190. Or how about a weekend cultural exploration in Barcelona, costing you no more than €36? You could even escape the winter blues with a two week holiday in the Bahamas, all for under €400. Sound too good to be true? Well, it's time to don your imaginary pilot's hat, for we're about to embark on an exciting journey to becoming a cheap flight maestro!
Embrace Flexibility in Your Travel Plans
Our first stop on this journey delves into the cornerstone of finding cheap flights – flexibility. If you're wondering how to find cheap flights, adopting a flexible mindset can lead to an incredible difference in securing bargain fares.
Perhaps you've set your heart on a Greek island getaway in the height of summer. While there's no denying the allure of azure waters under the Mediterranean sun, restricting yourself to a specific destination and timeframe may lead to exorbitant airfares. Instead, try broadening your horizon. Think about other equally beautiful destinations, and consider whether your travel dates are adjustable.
The key is not to restrict yourself. You might be surprised at the amazing places you can explore, often for a fraction of the price of more popular destinations.
It's All About Timing
Moving onto our next travel tip, we come to an often overlooked aspect of flight booking – timing. Selecting the right month to fly can lead to considerable savings, especially for those of us jetting off from Ireland.
Generally, you'll find the most wallet-friendly months falling between late January to March, followed by May to June, and then September to early December. Unsurprisingly, peak holiday seasons tend to come with steeper price tags. July, August, and April, along with the festive Christmas and New Year period, usually see airfares skyrocket.
But here's a secret. The week following a bank holiday can often be a goldmine for savings. While bank holiday weekends typically see a surge in flight prices, the subsequent week sees a drop in demand, leading to potentially big savings.
Also, keep an eye out for location-specific events. For instance, flights to Munich during Oktoberfest or Beijing during Chinese New Year might come with a premium due to increased demand.
Travel Days: Making Smart Choices
Choosing the right day to travel is another factor that can greatly influence the cost of your flight.
Generally, Tuesday and Wednesday emerge as champions in the race for cheap flights from Ireland. On the flip side, the demand for weekend getaways makes Friday and Saturday the most expensive days to fly. Monday, too, can be a costly affair, especially for short-haul flights. The reason? Well, it's the day when weekend travellers are typically heading back, leading to a surge in demand.
Jump on Great Deals Swiftly
The price of airline tickets can be as unpredictable as the Irish weather, fluctuating throughout the day. One moment you're looking at a stellar deal, the next, the price has shot up. As frustrating as it may seem, that's the dynamic nature of airline pricing. Here's where our next tip comes in – act swiftly.
Procrastinating for even a day could lead to a price hike, potentially adding hundreds of euros to your fare. So, if you see a bargain, seize it!
Recognising a Good Deal
At first glance, recognising a great flight deal might seem as daunting as navigating a labyrinth. With so many variables impacting airfares, such as season, travel time, competitiveness of the route, number of stops, and the airline itself, it's easy to feel lost.
To make your quest a bit easier, here are some general price benchmarks for flights departing from Ireland:
- Europe - Under €100
- North Africa - Under €250
- Southern Africa - Under €550
- Middle East - Under €400
- East/South East Asia - Under €700
- China - Under €500
- Australia & New Zealand - Under €1000
- North America - Under €400
- Central America - Under €600
- South America - Under €700
Keep in mind, these are just ballpark figures. Pricing dynamics change, especially within Europe, and market conditions such as the aftermath of the pandemic could lead to fluctuations.
Online Travel Agents: A Secret Weapon
Aggregator websites, like Skyscanner and Momondo, can be your secret weapon in slashing off up to €100 from long-haul flights. They're not just comparing prices offered by airlines, but also scouring through dozens of online travel agents selling the same tickets. Quite often, these online travel agents offer the same ticket for less than the airline, or throw in valuable extras like luggage allowance.
If your flight is with a European or budget airline like Aer Lingus or Ryanair, prices on these tools might not be cheaper, and we would always recommend booking direct with these airlines. Their real value comes into play when you're flying beyond Europe, where you may be able to save €50 - €100 on a flight. But remember, always read their terms and conditions before booking, as they might differ from your usual airline policies.
Take Advantage of Cheap Internal Travel Options
This tip especially rings true when you're travelling across Asia, Africa, or even America. These regions offer fantastic budget-friendly options for internal travel.
In Africa, consider airlines like Mango and FlySafair. If you're exploring Asia, AirAsia offers excellent value for your money. Using these budget airlines can let you cover multiple cities or countries in one trip without breaking the bank.
Stay Alert for Error Fares
Every now and then, airlines may publish fares that seem too good to be true. Often, these 'error fares' occur due to human slip-ups, such as incorrect currency conversion or a missing zero.
The golden rule with error fares is to act swiftly. These fares might disappear within a few hours. But beware, if you manage to snag one of these fares, hold off on booking other parts of your holiday, like hotels or transfers. There's always a chance that the airline may catch the error and cancel the fare.
Exploring Multiple Destinations with Multi-city Trips
For the more adventurous, planning a multi-city trip can offer an enriched travel experience. And with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be more expensive than a traditional return trip.
Some airlines offer extended layovers at no extra cost. For example, Etihad Airways allows a free two-night stopover in Abu Dhabi on all flights connecting there. KLM, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and many others have similar offers. Another option is to add multiple cities to a single flight search using tools like Google Flights or Momondo. A well-planned multi-city itinerary could cost nearly the same as your original return flights.
Become Your Own Cheap Flight Guru
By adopting these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a cheap flight guru, never again paying full price for a flight. After all, isn’t it more rewarding to spend your hard-earned money on experiences at your destination rather than on getting there?
Remember, our platform, Fly Cheaper, is always here to assist you in your flight bargain hunt. Using the strategies shared in this article, we find and rate the best deals, saving you the time and hassle of scouring the internet. Happy flying!
Inspired to book your next holiday, be sure to check out the latest flight deals on our deals page. Happy travels!