As a digital nomad, flights are likely to take up a significant portion of your budget. Air travel can be expensive, but it’s essential to kick off your adventure. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you find it tedious to search for flights for hours, only to end up booking the most convenient option. That’s completely understandable. But don’t worry, Nomada is here to help with tips on how to find cheap flights as a digital nomad.
Luckily, there are several tricks and strategies you can use to score cheap flights, allowing you to stretch your budget and live better in each destination. Since managing your finances is key to this lifestyle, we recommend taking a few minutes to learn how to make the most of your money. We’ve researched and tested these tips to bring you the best advice on how to find cheap flights as a digital nomad, so you can save on travel and get more out of your nomadic experience.
Tip 1: Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
One of the best ways to find cheap flights as a digital nomad is by staying flexible with both your travel dates and destinations. Use flight search tools that allow you to explore various options and compare prices for dates near your preferred departure. Additionally, consider flying to less popular destinations or traveling during the off-season, as flight prices are often significantly lower during these times. This flexibility can help you secure cheap flights as a digital nomad and make your journey more budget-friendly.
Useful Tools and Resources
- Google Flights: Use its calendar feature to view flight prices on different days. You can also set up price alerts to get notifications when prices drop.
- Skyscanner: The “Everywhere” or “Flexible Dates” options are ideal for finding affordable destinations. It also offers a price graph to visualize the cheapest days to fly.
- Kayak: Offers similar tools and lets you set up price alerts. You can also use its “Explore” feature to see the cheapest destinations on an interactive map.
How to Be Flexible with Your Dates
- Search Flights on Different Days of the Week: Flights midweek (Tuesday and Wednesday) are generally cheaper than weekend flights (Friday to Sunday). Try different date combinations to find the most economical options.
- Avoid Flying During Holidays and Peak Seasons: Airfares tend to rise during holidays and festivities. If you plan to stay in your next destination for an extended period, organize your trips outside these dates to secure better prices. Off-seasons vary by destination, so research the low season of the place you want to visit.
- Use the Calendar or Price Chart Feature: Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak let you view a price calendar to quickly identify the cheapest days to fly. These graphs show the average flight price over a range of dates.
How to Be Flexible with Your Destinations
- Explore Alternative Destinations: Instead of having just one destination in mind, keep a list of several places you’d like to visit. Remember that Skyscanner has a “Everywhere” search option that shows you the cheapest destinations from your current location.
- Consider Secondary Airports: Sometimes flying to a nearby airport and then taking ground transportation can be more economical than flying directly to your final destination. Check for alternative airports near the place you want to visit.
- Pay Attention to Deals and Promotions: Airlines and online travel agencies often have special prices and flash promotions. Subscribe to airline newsletters and use apps that notify you of these deals to take advantage of reduced fares.
Tip 2: Sign Up for Price Alerts
Take advantage of flight price alerts offered by airlines and booking websites to score cheap flights as a digital nomad. These alerts will notify you when there’s a drop in fares for the flights you’re interested in, giving you the opportunity to book at the best price. By staying on top of these notifications, you can secure great deals and ensure your travel stays budget-friendly.
Benefits of Price Alerts
- Continuous Monitoring: Price alerts work 24/7, tracking fare fluctuations for you. You don’t have to constantly check airline websites.
- Save Time and Money: You’ll receive notifications when prices drop, letting you book at the cheapest time without spending much time searching.
- Exclusive Opportunities: Some price alert tools also inform you of exclusive deals and flash promotions you might otherwise miss.
How to Set Up Price Alerts
- Google Flights:
- Go to Google Flights and search for the flight you’re interested in.
- Click the “Track Prices” button in the top left corner of the results page.
- You’ll receive emails when prices change for the flights you’re tracking.
- Skyscanner:
- Search for flights on Skyscanner.
- Click “Get Price Alerts” at the top of the results page.
- Enter your email address to receive notifications about price changes.
- Kayak:
- Search for flights on Kayak and select the itinerary you’re interested in.
- Click “Create a Price Alert” and follow the instructions.
- Kayak will send you emails or push notifications on your mobile device about price changes.
- Hopper:
- Download the Hopper app and search for your flight.
- Hopper will show you a prediction of future prices and advise whether to book now or wait.
- Set up alerts to receive notifications when prices drop.
Additional Tips for Using Price Alerts
- Set Up Multiple Alerts: If you have flexibility in your plans, set up alerts for various dates and destinations. This increases your chances of finding a great deal.
- Act Quickly: When you receive an alert about a price drop that interests you, don’t hesitate to book. The lowest fares often disappear quickly.
- Combine Alerts with Other Strategies: Use price alerts alongside other tips, such as being flexible with dates and destinations, to maximize your savings.
- Check the Conditions: Ensure you review cancellation policies and terms and conditions before booking, especially if you’re taking advantage of a deal or promotion.
Tip 3: Join Points and Miles Programs
If you’re a member of an airline loyalty program or have a credit card that earns points or miles, don’t hesitate to use them to book your flights. As a digital nomad, this can be an excellent way to secure cheap flights. Often, you can earn free flights or substantial discounts by redeeming your accumulated points or miles. Here’s how to maximize these programs to get the best deals and save on travel, making cheap flights as a digital nomad even more attainable.
Benefits of Points and Miles Programs
- Savings on Flights: By accumulating enough points, you can redeem them for free or discounted tickets, significantly reducing your travel costs.
- Upgrades and Perks: In addition to free flights, loyalty programs often offer upgrades to higher classes, airport lounge access, or priority boarding.
- Daily Purchases Earn Points: Many programs are linked to credit cards and other partners, allowing you to earn points not just from flying but also from daily purchases.
How to Enroll in Points and Miles Programs
- Choose the Perfect Program for You:
- Research airlines you frequently use and the routes you often fly.
- Sign up for their loyalty programs.
- Consider programs offered by airline alliances (like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld) to maximize point accumulation across multiple airlines.
- Register Online:
- Most airlines allow you to sign up for loyalty programs directly on their websites. Look for the “Loyalty Program” section and follow the instructions to register.
- Ensure you provide all required information and save your membership number, as you’ll need it to accumulate and redeem points.
- Get a Co-Branded Credit Card:
- Many airlines have co-branded credit cards that offer generous sign-up bonuses and additional points for each purchase.
- Research available cards and choose the one that best suits your needs and spending habits.
Strategies to Maximize Your Points and Miles
- Flight by Flight:
- Always input your loyalty program number when booking flights to accumulate points.
- Fly with airlines within the same alliance to collect points more efficiently.
- Earn Points on Daily Purchases:
- Use co-branded credit cards for all your daily expenses. From groceries to fuel, every purchase can help you earn more points.
- Take advantage of special promotions from airline partners that often offer bonus points.
- Hotels and Car Rentals:
- Many airlines have agreements with hotel chains and car rental companies. Book your stays and rentals through them to earn additional points.
- Promotions and Bonuses:
- Keep an eye out for special promotions from airlines and their partners. Sometimes they offer double points or bonuses for new members.
- Subscribe to newsletters from your loyalty programs to stay informed about offers and promotions.
- Redeem Wisely:
- Plan your redemptions. Sometimes booking months in advance or being flexible with your dates can help you maximize the value of your points.
- Consider redeeming your points for class upgrades, especially on long flights, for a better travel experience without significant additional costs.
Popular Points and Miles Programs
- MileagePlus by United Airlines
- AAdvantage by American Airlines
- Flying Blue by Air France-KLM
- Executive Club by British Airways
- Miles & More by Lufthansa
- SkyMiles by Delta Airlines
Tip 4: Book Early or Last Minute
Although this can vary depending on the route and season, booking in advance is generally more economical. However, in some cases, waiting until the last minute may lead to unexpected offers for flights that haven’t sold out. Therefore, it’s a good idea to experiment with both strategies and compare prices to find the option that best suits your needs and budget. While both approaches have their pros and cons, each can help you score cheap flights as a digital nomad. Over time, experience will make it easier to identify which strategy works best for you.
Booking in Advance
Advantages of Booking in Advance
- Better Rates: Booking several months in advance often gives you access to lower fares. Airlines tend to offer cheaper prices to early planners to better optimize their flights.
- More Seating Options: When booking early, you have more choices for preferred seating and can avoid additional charges for specific seats.
- More Planning Time: Booking in advance gives you extra time to organize other travel details, such as accommodations, activities, ground transportation, or coworking spaces.
Tips for Booking in Advance
- Search 3 to 6 Months Ahead: Generally, the best time to book domestic flights is about three months in advance. For international flights, aim for six months.
- Avoid Peak Dates: Try to avoid high seasons and holidays, as prices tend to spike.
- Use Price Alerts: As mentioned earlier, price alerts notify you when prices drop, allowing you to book at the best possible price.
Last-Minute Booking
Advantages of Last-Minute Booking
- Deals and Discounts: Airlines sometimes reduce last-minute fares to fill empty seats. If you’re flexible, you can find highly attractive deals.
- Spontaneous Travel Opportunities: Last-minute booking can be ideal for impromptu trips and unexpected adventures.
Tips for Last-Minute Booking
- Be Flexible with Destination and Date: Flexibility is essential for finding last-minute deals. Tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights allow you to search for cheap flights to “anywhere.”
- Search 2 Weeks Before Departure: The best last-minute deals usually appear between two weeks and just a few days before departure.
- Consider Alternative Airports: Flying into a nearby airport and then traveling by land might be cheaper than flying directly to your destination.
Comparison: Booking in Advance vs. Last Minute
| Aspect | Booking in Advance | Last-Minute Booking |
| Price | Generally cheaper | Can be cheaper with deals |
| Seat Options | More options | Limited options |
| Flexibility | Less flexibility needed | High flexibility required |
| Planning Time | More time to plan | Less time to plan |
| Availability | High availability | Limited availability |
Both strategies have their benefits and can help you save money on flights. Your choice between booking in advance or last minute will depend on your flexibility, planning needs, and appetite for spontaneity.
Tip 5: Look for Flights with Layovers or on Less Popular Days
Flights with layovers are often more affordable than direct flights, so for starters, consider adding a layover to your trip if you’re looking to find cheap flights as a digital nomad. Moreover, flying on less popular days of the week, such as Tuesdays or Wednesdays, can also lead to lower fares. This is because there is typically reduced demand for flights on these days. By combining these strategies, you can maximize your chances of finding great deals and lower your overall travel costs.
Flights with Layovers
Benefits of Flights with Layovers
- Significant Savings: Layover flights are usually cheaper than direct flights. Airlines often charge more for the convenience of a nonstop flight.
- More Itinerary Options: Layovers offer greater flexibility with departure and arrival times, as you can choose from a broader range of flight combinations.
Tips for Booking Layover Flights
- Use Flight Search Engines: Tools like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak make it easy to compare direct flights with layover options to find the cheapest choice.
- Consider Layover Duration: Ensure the layover length is reasonable. Very short layovers increase the risk of missing connections, while very long layovers can be inconvenient (unless you can explore a new city during your wait).
- Check Airport Connections: If possible, choose layovers at large airports with good facilities and services. Also, ensure all connections are in the same airport, especially in cities with multiple airports.
Flying on Less Popular Days
Benefits of Flying on Less Popular Days
- Lower Fares: Flying on days with lower demand, such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, typically results in cheaper fares. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, and these days are often less crowded.
- Fewer Crowds: Airports and flights are usually less packed on these days, making your travel experience more comfortable and quicker.
Tips for Finding Cheaper Flights on These Days
- Flexibility in Dates: Use tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner to view a calendar of prices, helping you identify the most economical days to fly.
- Book in Advance: Even for less popular days, booking ahead ensures you get the best rates.
- Compare Date Combinations: Experiment with departure and return date combinations to find the cheapest pair. Sometimes flying a day earlier or later can make a big difference in cost.
Tip 6: Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Why Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays?
- Lower Demand: Most people prefer to travel on weekends or at the start and end of the workweek (Monday and Friday). This leaves Tuesdays and Wednesdays less in demand, reducing prices.
- Weekend Getaways: Although Saturdays are part of the weekend, many short trips and business travels start on Thursday or Friday and end on Sunday, leaving Saturday as a less popular day for flying.
- Operational Costs: Airlines adjust prices based on demand. Lower demand on these days translates to lower fares as airlines seek to fill seats.
How to Find Cheaper Flights on These Days
- Use Flight Search Tools: Use tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to compare prices across different days of the week.
- Set Price Alerts: Set alerts for your preferred routes to receive notifications about price drops, especially for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
- Stay Flexible with Dates: Flexibility increases your chances of securing lower fares. Adjust your itinerary to include these cheaper days.
Bonus: Strategies to Maximize Your Savings
- Book in Advance: While flying on less popular days is cheaper, booking ahead guarantees the best available rates. Aim to book at least 2–3 months before domestic flights and 5–6 months before international ones.
- Combine Strategies: Pair flexible dates, secondary airports, and layovers with flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays to maximize savings.
- Consider Off-Peak Hours: Flights late at night or very early in the morning are often cheaper due to lower demand.
Flexibility, Time, and Gained Experience
One of the greatest advantages of living as a digital nomad is the freedom to organize your plans. In fact, this flexibility can save you money if you take the time to book flights in advance or embrace last-minute changes. What’s more, by combining this freedom with strategies like using flight comparison tools or setting up price alerts, you can maximize your savings. Ultimately, it’s an investment in your future travels; tomorrow, it could mean enjoying a refreshing caipirinha with the money you’ve saved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Cheap Flights as a Digital Nomad
There are numerous strategies to purchase flights at a reduced price. For starters, while the most common approach is booking in advance, you can also take advantage of longer trips by prioritizing flexible dates. In addition, traveling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is often cheaper due to lower demand on these days. Moreover, you have the option of last-minute booking, allowing you to benefit from last-minute deals airlines offer to fill planes. Finally, flying at less popular times, such as early in the morning or late at night, can also help you save on airfare. By combining these strategies, you’ll have a better chance of finding affordable flights.
Generally, flights booked well in advance are cheaper because airlines aim to fill their planes early to optimize operating costs. Additionally, knowing your itinerary in advance gives you more options, such as searching for nearby airports or being flexible with dates and times due to greater availability. What’s more, booking early allows you to better plan other phases of the trip, including ground transportation, SIM card purchases, accommodations, and more. In short, early planning not only saves you money on flights but also helps you streamline the entire travel experience.
If you have flexibility, you can find last-minute deals that airlines offer to fill the last available seats. This, in fact, is the main advantage of booking a flight at the last minute. Moreover, it can also help you discover new destinations or plan an unexpected trip if your primary criterion for purchasing the flight is price. However, keep in mind that availability will be limited, and you’ll have fewer options and less time to organize other aspects of your trip. In the end, last-minute bookings can offer great savings, but they come with certain trade-offs.
Flight search engines like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak offer numerous tools to help you purchase tickets. For example, among their most useful features for digital nomads traveling for extended periods is the ability to search with flexible dates. In addition, these platforms allow you to easily compare direct flights and layover options to find the most economical choice. Therefore, by leveraging your nomadic flexibility, you can fully take advantage of these online tools and ensure you’re getting the best possible deal for your travels.
Most platforms and airlines allow you to set up price alerts for multiple dates and destinations, which significantly increases your chances of finding a deal that fits your budget. As a result, you’ll be able to monitor prices constantly without putting in extra effort and can easily spot opportunities that would otherwise consume valuable time. However, it’s important to act quickly so the deal doesn’t disappear. Finally, don’t forget to double-check that the terms and conditions suit your needs before booking.
To maximize your airline points or flight miles, always include your loyalty program details when booking each flight. In addition, use credit cards associated with these programs for everyday purchases, car rentals, or hotel stays. Moreover, take advantage of promotions that offer bonus points to accelerate your earnings. Finally, plan how you’ll redeem your points strategically to ensure you’re making decisions that maximize their value and help you save on future travel.
