Flights are now set to cost Brits 30% more than this time last year, with prices up from 27% in June – the largest rise since May 2023.

The latest statistics, released by ONS this week, show that inflation has slowed from last month, rising by 6.4% in the last twelve months to July 2023, down from 7.3% in June. However, the monthly rise in price for flights between June and July 2023 was 25.3%, up from 22.3% between the same months in 2022.

In light of rising flight prices, Dan Whittaker, personal finance expert at Little-Loans.com, has shared nine ways you could bag yourself a cheaper flight.

Be flexible with your travel dates

“Planning your holiday in advance can make it easier to be more flexible with your travel dates. As a general rule of thumb, travelling during the week will be cheaper than taking a flight at the weekend. Opt for less popular days to travel, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, to grab the best prices. When visiting each airline’s website, be sure to utilise calendar view so that you can clearly compare prices. Another great option is to use comparison sites like Skyscanner or Kayak; these sites colour-code flight dates based on their price.”

Check flight times with multiple airlines

“It’s always a wise idea to check all the available flight times, in case there is an arrival time which better suits you, and is cheaper. Be sure to consider whether a different flight time will add additional expenses to your travel costs, however. For instance, if you’re catching an early flight, you may need to factor in the cost of taking a taxi to the airport, rather than the train. If you find that this bumps up your travel costs, it be the case that a more expensive flight is still the cheapest travel option overall, so don’t initially exclude these as an option.”

Be open to different holiday destinations

“If you’re looking to holiday on a budget, and are open with your holiday destination, comparison sites often allow you to search for destinations ‘everywhere’ from your chosen departure airport. Flights are then listed from the cheapest to most expensive for your selected dates.”

Check prices of booking flights and accommodation together

“Sites such as Expedia make it easy to check whether you could be getting a better deal by booking your flight and hotel together. Be sure to research this before checking the prices of booking your flight and accommodation separately.”

Use flight price search engines

“A great way to easily compare the prices of flights is by using flight comparison sites such as Momondo, Travel Supermarket and Kayak. Momondo analyse current and past prices to advise whether the flight prices you are viewing are the best you will see within the next seven days. You can also use their price alert function to be notified when prices go down.”

Consider connecting flights

“If you’re booking a long-haul flight, direct flights will more than likely be the most expensive option. Consider booking connecting flights if your priority is keeping costs low. You could also consider an airport slightly further away from a city centre destination, as these tend to be more expensive to catch flights to. A fun way to make a long flight cheaper is to consider stopping in another destination for a couple of days, before catching your connecting flight to your final destination. However, you will need to factor in additional costs, such as a hotel stay.”

Be alert to hidden costs on budget airlines

“Sometimes, flight prices can seem too good to be true. Don’t forget to add the extras you may need, such as seat selection and baggage fees, to avoid being stung with additional charges at the airport. Airlines have different requirements when it comes to carry-on and handheld baggage size and weight, so be sure to check these so you don’t get caught out!”

Pay for flights with your food shopping

“Both the Tesco ClubCard and the Sainsburys Nectar scheme allow you to convert the points you earn on your shopping towards the cost of flights, upgrades and hotel bookings. Redemption rates and availability may vary, but if you are a regular customer, those points could soon add up.”

Book your holiday in advance

“Last minute deals have the ability to reel customers in; however, as tempting as they may be, they may not be offering you the best deal possible. Book a year or so in advance, if you can, as seats on flights are cheapest when they are first released. This is especially important if you’re travelling for a popular event or during the school holidays, as prices are likely to rise – you may even miss out on your desired flight if you leave it too late!”