If you’re tackling financial goals this year, you may assume you’ll need to travel less. But that’s likely not true. Believe it or not, it’s possible to prioritize travel while continuing to take steps toward achieving your money goals. By taking advantage of opportunities to save money on travel, you can continue to explore the world without falling behind financially.
Throughout my travels, I’ve discovered some winning strategies that have helped me save money on flights. I’ve been able to explore more destinations by booking cheaper flights. Want to see more of the world without draining all the funds in your bank account? Here are a few tips to help you book cheap flights in 2025.
Be as flexible as possible
My number one tip to score cheap flights in 2025 is to be as flexible as possible. Of course, some trips may require you to fly on certain dates or to book with a specific airline. But the more flexible you can be, the more money you can save on airfare costs.
As you plan an upcoming trip, consider strategies that could yield cheaper plane tickets. Flying in or out of a different airport, booking with a budget airline, or flying during the week are some strategies that may help you book cheaper flights.
Use Google Flights to find cheap flights
Google Flights is one of my favorite resources to find more affordable flights. You can search for flights across multiple carriers to find the best option that aligns with your travel style and budget. I use this free airline price comparison tool before booking airfare for a trip.
There are plentiful filets to help you narrow down the search results. For example, you can easily compare only nonstop flights if you prefer. I have some tips to help you maximize your savings when using this tool to find the best airfare options for your travels:
Use the date grid or price graph to find the cheapest travel dates
Google Flights offers pricing tools to help you save more money. You can use the date grid or price graph feature to find the cheapest dates to fly in and out of your preferred destination to get the best airfare price. If your travel dates are flexible, you can easily maximize your savings.
Search for “anywhere” as your destination to find the cheapest places to fly
If you’re an adventurous traveler like me and don’t mind letting travel deals inspire your next travel destination, you’ll love this next tip. You don’t have to have a destination in mind when searching for flights on Google Flights. You can enter “anywhere” as your destination to find the most affordable destinations to fly to from your preferred departing airport. This is my favorite Google Flights travel hack and it has saved me thousands of dollars on airfare costs.
Related: How to Make Your Next Trip More Affordable
Invest in a flight deal subscription
If you can afford another subscription, you may want to consider investing in a flight deal membership service. These services alert travelers to the best flight deals to help them save time and money. You can spend less time searching for low-cost flights and book cheap flights when you get deal alerts matching your needs.
Many airfare deal subscription options are available, but I subscribe to Thrifty Traveler Premium. Thanks to this service, I have saved thousands of dollars on flight costs over the last couple of years. As a subscriber, I receive economy deals, business and first-class flight deals, points and miles deals, and error fare alerts. Since I travel several times yearly, this subscription is worthwhile for me.
This service costs $99.99 per year, but Thrifty Traveler has a price-lock guarantee. Once you become a subscriber, you’ll lock in the current yearly rate. That means if the price increases in the future, your subscription rate won’t change.
Ready to get airfare deals sent to your email inbox? You can use my affiliate link to get a discount on your first year of membership: Join Thrifty Traveler.
Travel doesn’t have to break the bank
It costs money to travel, but your next trip doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By looking for opportunities to save money on airfare, you can stretch your vacation dollars further while you explore more of the world. Consider implementing some of the above strategies to find and book cheap flights in 2025.