Best Sites For Buying Travel Tickets

There are many options available for purchasing travel tickets, with various websites offering exclusive deals and discounts. Some of the most popular options include Expedia, Travelocity, Cheapflights, KAYAK, Traveloka, and Orbitz. These websites offer a range of features such as price comparisons, flexible payment methods, and exclusive promotions. They also provide deals on both domestic and international flights, allowing travellers to find the best prices for their desired routes.

Online

There are many websites that offer travel tickets online. Some of the most popular ones include:

• KAYAK: KAYAK allows you to compare flights from hundreds of sites. It also offers price forecasts and flexible date searches to help you find the best deals.
• Expedia: On Expedia, you can compare prices from various carriers and set up price alerts for your desired routes. They also offer rewards and discounts for members.
• Travelocity: Travelocity provides flight deals and allows you to search for flights up to 12 months in advance. They also offer advice on healthy and safe air travel.
• Cheapflights: Cheapflights works with over 300 partners to bring you the best travel deals. They offer flight, hotel, and car rental deals, as well as travel tips and newsletters.
• American Airlines: American Airlines offers low fares and deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. They also have a loyalty program where you can earn bonus miles and benefits.

When booking travel tickets online, it's important to consider factors such as travel dates, departure and arrival destinations, airlines, number of stops, departure times, and policies like seat choice and refunds. Additionally, joining membership programs can often provide benefits and rewards that can save you money on future bookings. It's also a good idea to be flexible with your travel plans, as prices can vary depending on the day of the week, time of booking, and season.

In-person

Although it is becoming less common to buy travel tickets in person, there are still several options available to those who prefer this method.

Firstly, you can visit a travel agent. Travel agents can provide a range of services, including booking flights, accommodation, and rental cars, as well as offering travel tips and advice. They can be a good option if you want a personalised service and someone to guide you through the booking process.

Another option is to go directly to the source and visit an airline's kiosk or service desk at the airport. However, this option is generally not recommended as tickets bought at the airport tend to be much more expensive than those bought online, and airport service desks are usually focused on checking in passengers and providing other services rather than selling tickets. There is an exception to this, however; Spirit Airlines deals can often be found by buying tickets in person, as you can avoid additional service charges.

If you are looking to buy tickets for events and entertainment, such as concerts, sports games, or theatre shows, you can try visiting the venue in person. Many venues have box offices or ticket counters where you can purchase tickets directly, and sometimes these tickets are available at a cheaper price than those sold online.

Finally, for those who want the convenience of buying tickets in person but with the benefits of online pricing, some airlines and travel providers offer this option. For example, you could book your ticket online but then collect the physical ticket from a local office or travel agent. This combines the ease of purchasing from a nearby location with the cost savings of booking through the internet.

Last-minute

Flexibility is Key

Being flexible is crucial when booking last-minute travel. This includes being open to different destinations, departure dates, and airports. If you can manage some wiggle room in your plans, you'll have a better chance of scoring great deals.

Search for Nearby Airports

When booking last-minute, don't limit yourself to the closest airport to your destination. Consider searching for flights to nearby airports, as they might offer cheaper options. Decide how far you're willing to travel to and from the airport, and include airports within that radius in your search.

For example, if you're flying to New York City, you might find cheaper flights to Newark or LaGuardia airports than to JFK. Similarly, London has multiple airports, and checking them all could save you money.

However, keep in mind that travelling to a farther airport may increase your transportation costs and time spent travelling to and from the airport.

Book One-Way Flights or Single Legs

Instead of booking a round trip, consider searching for and booking one-way flights. This allows you to choose the cheapest option for each leg of your journey, potentially saving you money.

You can also take this a step further by booking single legs of your journey separately. For example, if you're flying from Austin to Cincinnati and can't find a good deal, try searching for a flight from Austin to Denver, and then another from Denver to Cincinnati. This can be especially useful if you're flying to or from a smaller airport with limited options.

However, booking separate legs comes with risks. You may have to pay separate luggage fees for each booking, and if you miss a connection due to delays, you'll be responsible for rebooking.

Search for Individual Tickets

If you're travelling in a group, it's worth searching for and booking individual tickets. Sometimes, there may be a single seat available at a lower price, but you'll only see this option when searching for a single ticket.

So, if you find a cheaper seat, book it first, then go back and book the rest of the tickets separately. This strategy can save money, but keep in mind that you likely won't be seated together.

While last-minute flights are often more expensive, it's still possible to find deals. Check aggregators like Google Flights or Skyscanner for upcoming flights, and if you're flexible, leave the destination field blank to see a map of the best deals.

You can also try flying at off-peak hours or on less popular days, as these options are usually cheaper.

Standby Tickets

Flying standby means you can take a different flight, usually on the same day and to the same destination, as your original flight. This option is worth considering if you're flexible and don't mind the uncertainty.

Contact the airline to inquire about seat availability, and if you're an elite member of their loyalty program, you may be able to get on the standby list without extra fees.

Bereavement Fares

If you're travelling due to a family emergency, some airlines like Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines offer bereavement fares. These are flexible tickets meant for passengers dealing with the death or imminent death of a family member.

However, it's always a good idea to check published fares first, as they might be cheaper than the bereavement rate.

With a bit of flexibility and some clever searching, you can find great last-minute travel deals and be on your way in no time!

In advance

Where to Buy Travel Tickets in Advance

Train Tickets

Advance train tickets are a great way to save money, especially on long journeys. Tickets are usually available up to 12 weeks ahead of travel, and you can even buy them up to 10 minutes before departure. However, they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's best to plan ahead.

In the UK, you can use websites like National Rail and MyTrainTicket to book your tickets in advance. MyTrainTicket also has an app that you can use to book tickets on the go. For travel within the US, Amtrak offers advance booking through its website, mobile app, kiosks at Amtrak stations, and ticket agents at the stations.

Advance tickets are usually for single journeys, but you can combine tickets to create a return journey. They are also often non-refundable, but you may be able to amend your ticket for a fee.

Plane Tickets

For plane tickets, the best time to book depends on whether you're flying domestically or internationally, and the time of year. Generally, it's best to book domestic flights one to three months in advance, and international flights two to eight months in advance. Booking too early or too late can result in higher prices.

For peak travel periods, such as summer and the holidays, it's recommended to book three to seven months in advance for domestic travel, and four to ten months in advance for international travel.

You can use websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Momondo to find the best prices and book your flights. These sites also allow you to set price alerts, so you can track prices and book when they are at their lowest.

It's also a good idea to sign up for frequent flyer programs, as members often receive emails about airfare sales.

Domestic vs. international

When it comes to travel tickets, there are a few key differences between domestic and international travel that you should be aware of.

Booking Times

Firstly, the timing of your booking can have a significant impact on the price of your ticket, and this varies between domestic and international travel. For domestic travel within the US, booking 28 days in advance is ideal, whereas international flights are cheapest around 60 days before departure. It's worth noting that these trends can change, and booking earlier is generally recommended for peak travel periods.

Price Fluctuations

The price changes leading up to the departure date also differ between domestic and international flights. For domestic flights, prices tend to start increasing around 56 days before departure, whereas international flight prices usually start to creep up 21 days ahead.

Cheapest Days to Fly

When it comes to the day of the week, Fridays are generally the cheapest day to book flights, with Sundays being the most expensive. Conversely, when it comes to the day of the week to fly, Fridays are often the cheapest departure day, whereas Sundays tend to be the most expensive.

Travel Documents

One of the most significant differences between domestic and international travel is the documentation required. For domestic travel within your own country, you can usually use your ID card or driver's license, whereas international travel typically requires a passport and, depending on your destination, a visa. Obtaining these documents can add to the time and cost of your trip.

Travel Insurance

Another consideration is travel insurance. When travelling internationally, it is generally recommended to purchase travel insurance, whereas for domestic travel, your existing insurance is usually sufficient.

Practicalities

There are also some practical differences to keep in mind. For domestic travel, you can use your current SIM card and don't need to worry about travel adaptors. Additionally, bringing medications is often more straightforward for domestic trips, as you may need a doctor's prescription or letter when travelling internationally.

In summary, both domestic and international travel have their own unique considerations. Domestic travel often provides more flexibility and simplicity in terms of documentation and practicalities, whereas international travel usually involves more planning and may provide the opportunity to discover new cultures and experiences.

Frequently asked questions