FLIGHT HACK THAT WILL SAVE YOU HUNDREDS!

Booking international flights can be a significant expense, but there's a savvy travel hack that can save you hundreds: using cheaper points of entry. Here's how it works and why you should consider it for your next trip:

Major airports have more flights in and out each day, leading to lower prices. When planning your trip, look for these hubs near your final destination. For example, if you're heading to Europe, consider flying into cities like London, Paris, or Amsterdam, which often have cheaper flights compared to smaller cities. Then, find a cheap flight on a European budget airline or domestic airline to get you to your final destination. It could also be cheaper to make this final leg via bus or train.

Use Google Flights for this:

1.Enter your departure airport and dates. Click “Explore”

2. Click “view map”

3. Look for cheaper flight options around your destination

4. Use an app like Rome2Rio to then compare transportation prices to your final destination. This app will compare prices for flights, trains, buses, or driving.

I have found there are many great budget airlines in Europe and Asia - such as Ryanair or EasyJet. Also, almost all European countries have their own domestic airline as well - which typically have very reasonable prices.

Factor in Additional Costs: While this hack can save you money, don't forget to consider additional costs like extra transportation, baggage fees, and possibly a night’s accommodation if your layover is long. However, these costs often still result in overall savings compared to booking a direct flight to a smaller airport.

Real-life Success Story: A friend recently saved over $300 on a trip to Thailand by flying into Bangkok, a major hub, instead of directly to Phuket. She then took a budget flight from Bangkok to Phuket, enjoying a short visit to Bangkok as a bonus.

Using cheaper points of entry involves a bit of extra planning, but can lead to substantial savings on international flights. It’s a great way to stretch your travel budget further and potentially explore more places along the way. Next time you're planning a trip, give it a try and see how much you can save! Happy travels! 🌍✈️

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2024/6/17 Edited to

... Read moreBeyond just finding cheaper points of entry, I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve when it comes to snagging those incredibly cheap flights, especially using Google Flights! You know how frustrating it is when flights increase in price daily? I've learned that understanding a few things can make a huge difference. First off, Google Flights' 'Explore Map' isn't just for looking at specific destinations. It's a goldmine for finding the cheapest destinations overall if you're flexible with where you want to go. I often start by just putting in my departure airport and leaving the destination blank, then setting my dates to 'flexible dates' or even 'one week in the next 6 months.' The map then populates with amazing deals to places I might not have even considered! It's how I found a ridiculously cheap trip to Portugal once. Seeing those low prices pop up on the map, like the Google Flights screenshot showing options around Europe, is genuinely exciting! Another thing I always check is the 'nearby airports search' feature. Sometimes, flying out of a slightly further airport, or into a smaller one near your destination, can save you hundreds. For example, if I'm looking at a trip to Split, Croatia, and the direct flights are high (like that $1,121 example on the Google Flights map view!), I'll check nearby cities. The original article mentioned Zagreb as a cheaper alternative — and that’s exactly the kind of strategy I use. Don't just settle for the most obvious airport; expand your search! I once saved a significant amount by flying into a regional airport an hour away from my final spot, and the train journey was beautiful. Have you ever wondered why flights increase in price so dramatically? It often comes down to dynamic pricing and demand. Airlines use complex algorithms. My personal hack? Always search in incognito mode. While there's no definitive proof it stops price tracking, it's a habit I've adopted, and I feel like it helps. Also, try to book Tuesdays to Thursdays; I've consistently found better deals during these days compared to weekends. And setting up price alerts on Google Flights is a must! You get email notifications when prices drop for your desired route. Speaking of specific queries, someone asked about 'Skiplagged SPU BCN Aug 22 2025.' While the 'cheaper point of entry' hack is similar in spirit, Skiplagged is known for 'hidden city' ticketing. That's a different, more advanced tactic where you book a flight with a layover at your actual destination, and then simply don't take the connecting flight. It can be super cheap, but it has risks – you can't check bags, and airlines frown upon it. For most travelers, the 'cheaper point of entry' using Google Flights, as illustrated with the Zagreb to Split flight for $62, is a much safer bet and still incredibly effective. Finally, don't forget the power of flexibility. If you can shift your travel dates by even a day or two, you might unlock significantly cheaper flight tickets. I always check the Google Flights calendar view for the 'cheapest dates'. It's amazing how much difference a single day can make. This isn't just a flight hack; it's smart travel planning that lets you stretch your budget further, giving you more money for experiences once you land!

24 comments

Bridget's images
Bridget

My bf is stationed overseas and he goes to one of the major airports like 2ish hours away from his station to save money getting back here for leave and plus there’s more options and less flight time too since the closest one doesn’t directly fly to the states and would have to make a stop for a flight that does directly fly to a city other than mine and then another one from there to mine.

hatterasmom3's images
hatterasmom3

My only concern would be the connecting flights possibly being on less safe, smaller planes.

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