9 Tips for Getting Cheaper Flights

Whether for city trips, visiting family and friends, or going on holiday, Switzerland’s residents do a lot of flying. A high 60 million passengers pass through the Zurich, Geneva, and Basel airports each year.

The choice of flights is, resultingly, very large. If you have ever booked a flight, you are likely familiar with the huge price differences between airlines and individual flights. But there are some simple ways to cut the cost of traveling by air.

Flexibility is a key factor: The more open you are with regards to the timing and route, the more likely you are to find a cheap ticket.

Tip 1: Book flights early

The rule of thumb is: The earlier you book, the cheaper the flight will be. Tickets purchased close to the date of departure are normally more expensive.

The strategy typically used by airlines is to divide tickets for a specific flight into several different price categories. The tickets in the cheapest category are sold first, followed by those in the next-cheapest category, and so on. There can be exceptions to this general rule.

Many consumers are still familiar with the concept of last-minute tickets. In the past, airlines and travel agencies would sell out remaining tickets for poorly-booked flights at heavily-discounted prices shortly before the flight. But today, last-minute tickets are no longer offered.

Tip 2: Choose your travel dates smartly

When it comes to timing your trip, the rule of thumb is: Flights are generally cheaper at times when less people are likely to travel.

The reason: When demand for flights is stronger, airlines can sell their tickets for more. Additionally, tickets in the cheaper price categories are quickly sold out, leaving only the more expensive tickets.

Flights tend to be cheaper at these times:

• On weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Early in the morning and late in the evening.
• During low-travel seasons.

Flights tend to be more expensive at these times:

• On days when more people are likely to travel, such as Fridays and Sundays.
• Around public holidays.
• During school holidays

Tip 3: Look at alternative airports

Which airport you use can make a big difference in how much you pay for flights. The airports in Basel, Geneva, Milano, and Memmingen can all be viable alternatives to the Zurich Airport. In your destination country too, there may be more than one airport to choose from. Take time to check the prices for all of the airports that make sense for your travel route.

One thing to pay attention to: Some airports that are named after a major city are, in fact, located quite far outside that city. Examples include Paris-Vatry, Frankfurt-Hahn, and Stockholm-Skavsta, which are all more than 100 kilometers away from their corresponding cities. Budget airlines like Ryanair often fly from these smaller, more remote airports.

Make sure to account for the time and money required to get to and from the airport when comparing the cost of flights.

Tip 4: Consider layovers

Nonstop flights are convenient, with no need to change airplanes between destinations. But you often pay more for that convenience.

Günstiger sind Flüge mit Umsteigen. Dabei steigen Sie unterwegs in ein anderes Flugzeug um. Der Nachteil: Die Reise dauert länger und erfordert einen Aufenthalt am Flughafen. Für manche Reisende kann ein Zwischenstopp auf langen Flügen auch angenehm sein.

Flights with layovers are typically cheaper. With these flights, you land in another airport en route, where you have to change to a connecting flight. The disadvantage is that the trip generally takes longer, and you have to spend some time in an airport between flights. But it is worth noting that there are some travelers who appreciate taking these breaks, especially when traveling to far-away destinations.

Many multi-stage trips connect in large flight hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris. Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul are also major travel hubs for long-distance flights.

Tip 5: Keep your travel plans open

When deciding where you want to travel to, the rule of thumb is: The more open you are with regards to your travel destination, the more likely you are to find cheap flights. The reason: Ticket prices vary hugely between flight destinations. If you are not stuck on going to a specific location, you could save a lot of money by traveling to a similar destination elsewhere instead.

Many travelers first decide where they want to go, and then look at flights to that specific destination - rather than basing their travel choices on ticket prices. As a result, they pay more than they would have for a similar holiday elsewhere.

Tip 6: Consider alternative transportation

Not every trip has to involve an airplane. Depending on where you are flying, you may also have the option of traveling by car, train, bus, or ferry.

Tip 7: Compare specific flights

When looking for cheap flights, the rule of thumb is: The more different booking platforms you use, the more likely you are to find the cheapest deal.

There are many different websites and apps with which you can compare flights. The exact same flight can cost more or less depending which booking platform you use. It is also good to check the prices of flights booked directly with the airline, as not all booking platforms list all possible flights. Flights from budget airlines, in particular, often are not available on general booking platforms.

Many service providers give you the option of tracking price developments. Google Flights, for example, offers a map-based view on which you can see the prices of flights to different destinations. It also lets you see price changes for flights on specific dates.

Make sure to look at the exact connections. Very cheap flights often have very unfavorable layovers and travel times.

Tip 8: Watch out for cost pitfalls

Some flights seem cheap, but as you go through the ticket-booking process, the price just keeps going up. The trick: Airlines have a low base ticket price, but then charge you extra for hand and check-in luggage, among other things.

Airlines may also offer other paid services during the booking process, such as travel insurance, rental cars, hotel bookings, and experiences.

Use a booking platform that accounts for all of the costs for all of the services you need in price comparisons. If you are only shown the base ticket price, make sure to find out what the total cost is. Always account for the total cost when comparing offers.

Important: If you travel with luggage, make sure to book luggage allowances in advance. Airlines often charge higher luggage fees if you book luggage just before departure.

Tip: Do not pay in Swiss francs

When you book flights using a foreign booking platform, you may be given the option of seeing the price and paying in Swiss francs. The currency exchange rates used are often very unfavorable.

Take time to check how much the flight would cost without the Swiss-franc currency conversion. Paying with a card that has low foreign transaction costs can also save you money.