If you’re anything like me, the category ´I want to travel as much as I can, work on the road, surf new spots aaah and I have a baby that comes with a bunch of luggage now´, you know that every euro counts when booking flights. Over the years, I’ve become a bit of a flight-hacking ninja (ha!), squeezing the best deals out of the system and even turning regular flights into mini-adventures with free stopovers. Want to know how I find cheap flights? Here’s my go-to strategy for booking cheap flights, sprinkled with stories from my own trips (like that time I spent a week in Istanbul because of a clever stopover hack) and lessons learned the hard way.
Flexibility is your best friend. Seriously
One thing I’ve learned traveling with my little one is that flexibility isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential. Kids aside, flexibility on dates, airports, and even destinations can literally save you hundreds.
For example, we always check Santander or Bilbao (our closest-by airports) versus Madrid or Barcelona. It´s true that you also need to add the fuel to go there, but saving three times 300,- might be worth it (or not, that really depends on you!).
Pro tip: Use Google Flights or Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search if you’re open to adventure but want to keep costs low. One time, I searched “Everywhere” from Malaga and found an insanely cheap flight (like, 5,- each leg) to Morocco, which is when we went for a week surf trip to Imsouane.
Tools to make booking less stressful
These are my personal favorites, and I’ve tested them all on flights with baby gear and surfboards:
- Google Flights: My first stop. The calendar view helps me quickly spot the cheapest days to fly. When I’m traveling with my daughter, I try to avoid long layovers, but sometimes a cheap flight with a 4-hour stopover is worth it if it means saving €100+.
- Skyscanner: If you don’t care about the exact destination and just want to get away, the “Everywhere” option is pure gold.
- Kiwi.com: This site saved me once when I wanted to combine budget airlines that don’t usually play well together. It’s perfect for creative multi-city trips.
- Hopper: I use it for price predictions, should I wait or book now? It’s like having a travel psychic in your pocket.
- Airline Websites: After finding a deal, I always check the airline’s official site. Sometimes they have a better price or perks like free checked baggage.
My Tried-and-Tested Flight Booking Hacks
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. These are the tricks I swear by, especially as a traveling mom:
1. Incognito Mode Is Your Secret Weapon
Booking flights in a private browser window means you won’t get hit with price hikes just because you searched a route before. Trust me, websites track you.
2. Split Your Trip Into One-Way Tickets
I once booked one-way tickets separately for a trip through Europe and saved €120 compared to a round-trip ticket. Sometimes, combining two budget airlines is the way to go (just take into account that when you miss the connection to another flight that you did not book together, the company will probably not take responsibility for that)
3. Book 1.5 to 3 months ahead
For international flights, this window tends to have the best prices. Booking too early or last minute often costs more, and when you have a baby, you want to avoid last-minute stress (unless you are Brazilian like my husband, than, apparently, you do very well on last-minute everything ;))
4. Fly Midweek & Avoid Holidays
Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually cheaper. If your schedule is flexible, shifting your flight by even one day can cut the fare dramatically.
5. Subscribe to Flight Deal Newsletters
I’m on several mailing lists like Secret Flying and Jack’s Flight Club. There are also websites like holidaypirates.com (or the Dutch, Spanish, Italian, etc. version of it) that often have error fares posted
How to turn your flight into a mini-vacation With free stopovers
One of my favorite travel hacks is adding a free stopover. It’s like getting a two-for-one deal on your trip. For example, when I flew from the USA to Amsterdam, I did a free stopover in Iceland; when I flew from Indonesia back to Colombia I included a 1.5 week stopover in South Korea; I made a stop over in Singapore on my way from Spain to Indonesia and have done the same in Istanbul when flying from flying from London to Nairobi. For more info on how to do so, check out this blog I wrote some time ago.
Or in quick, to find these, use the “multi-city” option when booking flights or build your itinerary on Kiwi.com. Sometimes splitting your journey into two legs with a few days in between doesn’t just add an extra city, it can lower the overall price!
Flying cheap with a baby or toddler? Here’s what I’ve learned
Traveling with a baby means you need to think differently, but it doesn’t mean spending more. Yes, you can still find cheap flights.
Infants under two often fly nearly free, usually you only pay taxes and a small fee. I always look for flights with reasonable layovers to give my daughter time to stretch and reset. Overnight flights can be surprisingly peaceful since she sleeps through most of the journey.
Final Thoughts: it’s all about being smart & staying curious
Cheap flights aren’t just for lucky people, they’re for people who are willing to explore, experiment, and stay flexible. With the right tools, a little patience, and some insider knowledge, you can travel farther, see more, and spend less.
How do you find cheap flights and what is the best deal you have ever scored? Drop a comment or DM me. I love hearing your travel wins (and fails)!
