How to Get Cheap Flights With a VPN: Book for Less in 2024

Airlines and booking sites show you prices based on your location — so you could be paying way more for flights than someone in another country looking at the exact same ticket. Costs can also escalate depending on your browsing history, as well as a number of other factors.

A VPN lets you shop online from a virtual location of your choice. This allows you to find better prices for flights because you can browse different markets. It can also keep your browsing private to stop travel sites from tracking your data and raising prices.

After years of traveling, my top choice for getting cheaper flights is ExpressVPN. It has servers in 105 countries that you can use to access travel sites worldwide. You can even try ExpressVPN completely risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Why You Need a VPN to Get Cheap Flights

Websites use your IP address to determine your geographical location, which often dictates the prices you see online. This practice allows airlines and booking platforms to adjust prices based on the economic conditions of your country, among other factors.

Changing your IP makes you appear to be browsing from a different region. You can then access prices that may be more favorable in other markets, such as lower flight prices offered in specific countries.

By sending your data through its private server network and encrypting your connection, a VPN shields your personal information from hackers and snoops, ensuring your shopping for deals doesn't put your data at risk. This is essential for staying safe when using airplane WiFi.

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Cheaper Flights in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Understand Airline Pricing Tactics

Before you can take steps to land the best flight deal, you need to understand how airlines' pricing strategies work. Several factors influence the fluctuating prices of flight tickets, shaping the cost you encounter during your search:

• Air travel demand. The demand curve is influenced by the appeal of specific destinations. Geography, politics, and culture affect demand and, thus, flight prices to these destinations.
• Your location. Flight prices can vary based on where you're searching from, often higher in more affluent countries, like the US and UK.
• Airline base of operations. Airlines may offer better deals within their own country. You must change your IP address to match the airline's home country to snag these deals.
• Your browsing history and behavior. Have you noticed flight prices jumping after repeated searches? Your online footprint can trigger price hikes, pushing you to book quickly.
• Timing and seasonality. Flying during peak seasons, like holidays or summer breaks, typically costs more due to increased demand for certain destinations.

How to Get Cheap Flights: Ultimate Guide

Booking sites often adjust their prices based on your location and browsing history. This dynamic pricing model can result in significant discrepancies in airfare costs for the same flight. You can unlock significant savings using the strategies below.

1. Use a VPN

The easiest way to beat location-based pricing is with a VPN. This simple app masks your real location by routing your internet connection through a remote server, so you’re effectively browsing from a region with more favorable pricing. To use a VPN on restricted networks, like the WiFi at some airports or hotels, activate obfuscation so your VPN traffic appears as normal HTTPS.

A premium VPN also follows a strict no-logs policy, so the websites you visit and your browsing data won't be revealed to anyone. Choose a VPN with robust security features, like high-level encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection to safeguard your online activity when using in-flight WiFi.

To get the cheapest flight with a VPN:

• Install the VPN. Connect to a server in your current location to investigate prices without revealing your online identity or activity.
• Note the initial flight price. Now clear your digital footprints (cookies, cache, browsing history) to prevent price manipulation based on your search habits.
• Switch to a server in a favorable country. Now, choose a server in a country where prices may be more affordable (e.g., where the airline is located).
• Compare the prices of different countries. Choose the cheapest. Ensure your VPN is connected to that country before continuing, and clear your cookies and cache again.
• Finalize your booking. Pay the reduced fee and get ready to fly!

Not only was the flight cheaper, it showed me different connections which saved about 19 hours

Also, be aware that when you browse in different currencies, prices can fluctuate in ways that aren’t immediately obvious on travel websites. As such, it’s worth keeping an eye on exchange rates. They can change dramatically in a matter of hours, so this is also worth considering when booking hotels and cars and withdrawing spending money.

2. Clear Cookies and Go Incognito

Clearing your cookies often prevents booking sites from tracking you and raising ticket prices accordingly. Sites analyze cookies to create a digital profile of you and determine your location — which can affect the price of your flights. In Chrome, go to Chrome > Clear browsing data, which also offers the option to clear cookies. In Safari, click History > Clear History.

I recommend clearing your cookies often, especially when revisiting booking sites and changing locations

You may notice that the more you revisit a flight, the higher the fare becomes. That’s because travel sites use your history to see which flights you’re interested in. Raising prices instills an artificial sense of urgency to book immediately.

To avoid fluctuating rates, I advise browsing in Incognito (Chrome) or Private mode (Safari). Opening an Incognito or Private window allows you to browse sites without them gathering your data. Though doing this offers you a degree of privacy, it won’t hide your location or fully protect your data. For this reason, I recommend using a VPN to block trackers.

3. Check Flight Comparison Sites

Some of my favorite flight comparison sites include Skyscanner, Kayak, and Expedia. They’re easy to use; just enter the details of when and where you’re flying, and you’ll be presented with fares. This lets you compare prices, layover times, stops, etc.

Other popular sites to check out:

• Thrifty Nomads. Always on the hunt for the latest deals, tips, and tricks for traveling on the cheap.
• Kiwi. Its user-friendly map feature lets you compare fares between different destinations around the world.
• Momondo. It searches a massive database of fares and almost always finds the lowest price.
• Going Flights. A useful error-fare and sale locator (see tip 11).
• CheapOair. This flight comparison site sometimes offers promo codes for even greater savings.
• JetRadar. Unlike many search engines, this one also includes budget airlines.
• Cheap Flight Finder. Compares fares offered on comparison sites. Using this, you can see flights available on most of the above-mentioned comparison sites, which is super convenient.
• Citizen Seven. This site makes a virtue of layovers by making them a standout feature of your trip.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you may also consider a subscription service like Mighty Travels Premium. You have to pay a fee upfront (although a 14-day free trial is available), but it can save you a fortune over time.

4. Consider Budget Airlines

You’ll usually find flights for much cheaper with budget airlines. These are sufficient for short, quick flights as they typically don’t include many amenities like meals, seat selection, or baggage check. Popular budget airlines from across the world include:

You can stay on top of their latest deals by signing up to receive regular notifications. These alerts are usually sent through social media and email. Whenever budget carriers offer a last-minute or seasonal discount, you’ll be the first to know.

Remember, budget airlines frequently charge extra for hidden costs such as baggage allowance, seating preference, food and drink, airport check-in, and others. Also, be aware that they often fly to smaller airports that are far from the advertised destinations. Be wary of addons and keep an eye on the fine print.

5. Be Flexible on Times, Dates, and Destinations

Opt for flights during less popular travel times to save money. These could include holidays, weekdays, and low seasons for your destination. Off-peak hours also have lower prices, such as between 5 and 7 am or "redeye” flights departing after 8 pm.

There are inconsistencies, and it can still be difficult to predict when flights will be the cheapest. However, some flight comparison sites offer a broad overview of the cheapest times to fly.

Skyscanner color-codes your prices — Green = cheap, amber = moderate, red = expensive

Be adaptable with your destination to further reduce costs. Remember, peak seasons differ from region to region. Most travel sites make such comparisons easy by allowing you to set your destination to “Anywhere” (or “Everywhere”).

6. Know When to Book

Airlines utilize fluctuating price systems, whereby reserving tickets too far in advance can sometimes cost more than waiting last minute. According to a study by CheapAir, there’s a "Prime Booking Window” for domestic travel, which is 20 to 115 days before departure. For international travel, it’s recommended to book 2.5 to 6 months prior.

Furthermore, it’s advisable to book well in advance for trips during holidays. I suggest booking an extra month or two ahead of time. Conversely, during the off-season, airlines usually have a lot of empty seats and drop rates significantly at the last minute to get more sales.

7. Buy Tickets Individually

Booking flights for groups can cost more than booking separately. Airlines typically give the same ticket price for every seat in the group, even if some are cheaper than others. To get around this, book individual tickets and select seats after. However, you can’t book individual tickets for children, as they require an accompanying adult to fly.

But if you’re booking a multi-leg journey, I recommend getting all of the legs on one ticket — this ensures that you’re not liable for rescheduling expenses for your remaining trip should one of the legs fail.

8. Use Airline Booking Ploys

There are a few loopholes that can save you money when booking flights. I recommend checking that you don’t breach your contract or incur any penalties. This isn’t always an issue, as some airlines fail to include information regarding booking ploys in their carrier agreements.

Throwaway Tickets

Often, you can get a roundtrip ticket for significantly cheaper than one way. This is a major money-saver if you plan to move or travel abroad. Simply book a roundtrip fare and "throw away” your return ticket.

Before booking a one-way ticket, check to see if a roundtrip will save money, then skip the return flight

Hidden City Tickets

With this method, you book a flight with a layover at your destination and end your trip there. Since ticket prices vary on the popularity of destinations, this can save money. Plus, it’s almost impossible for airlines to penalize this because travelers regularly miss flights. Just note that it doesn’t work with checked baggage since it will be taken to the final destination.

Skiplagged automatically finds these deals for you when you enter your departing city and destination. For example, I looked at a trip from Seattle to Dallas. Skiplagged showed me that booking a ticket from Seattle to Phoenix with a layover in Dallas was cheaper.

9. Use Points to Fly for Free

One of the easiest ways to save money is via rewards programs that earn you free trips. These programs are typically offered by airlines and some credit cards.

To illustrate, Southwest Airlines operates a scheme known as Rapid Rewards, which awards you with points every time you travel with them. These accrued points have no expiration date; once you've amassed a sufficient amount, you can redeem them for complimentary flights.

10. Plan Your Own Layover

Multiple-day layovers can result in significant savings on round-trip airfares. This approach is a great way to economize if you have a flexible schedule and are keen on exploring multiple locations on a single vacation. Remember — this method saves money on flights only, so you’ll likely accrue additional costs for accommodation, food, and other expenses.

11. Look for Error Fares

You can find error fares on social media, forums, and websites like Secret Flying. These are mistakes resulting in incredibly low prices. It’s helpful to bookmark a few of these pages to ensure you’ll never miss a deal.

When you spot an error fare, it’s best to act immediately, as companies catch these mistakes quickly. It’s possible that after booking, your flight is canceled and refunded due to the error being caught before takeoff.

I check Secret Flying daily to ensure I don’t miss out on the latest errors — it takes seconds

Best VPNs for Cheap Flights in 2024

Catch all the best deals by choosing the right VPN. My top picks provide reliable worldwide servers, robust security, multi-device support, and ad and tracker blockers for a clean interface and safe browsing experience.

1. ExpressVPN — Servers in 105 Countries for Access to Worldwide Fare Deals

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN lets you access virtual locations to browse flights in global markets. By switching server locations, I saved nearly $500. While testing ExpressVPN, I connected to a UK server and searched for a flight from London to Melbourne. Skyscanner gave me the cheapest price of $1,144.06. Next, I connected to US - New York and got the same flight for $647.

The app is easy to navigate, and I could change my location with 1 click. To save a favorite server from the list, click the star next to it. You can also create shortcuts to launch your go-to booking sites from within the app and manage your passwords with a Keys feature, saving loads of hassle when hunting for flights. On top of all that, it’s the fastest VPN I’ve ever tested — great for pouncing on those error fares!

Subscriptions are a bit expensive, starting at $4.99/month. But they cover up to 8 simultaneous device connections, giving you great value for money. All plans are also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s risk-free to try ExpressVPN out. If you find it’s not for you, getting a refund is quick and easy.

2. CyberGhost — Ad and Tracker Blocker for Clean Flight Pages and Easy Comparisons

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost’s Block content feature stops annoying ads when you’re shopping for cheap airfares. It blocked banner and sidebar ads on Expedia and prevented websites from hiking my prices when revisiting a flight since it’s also a highly effective tracker blocker. This also allowed pages to load faster, so I didn’t waste any time snagging those deals.

Its simple interface made it easy to browse for cheap flights. When I tested CyberGhost out on my Mac, the app’s simplified view was fixed to my menu bar, so I always knew where to find it. The 1-month plan is pricey and only includes a 14-day refund period. Long-term plans are cheap, though, starting at $2.19/month with a 45-day money-back guarantee. Each plan covers 7 simultaneous device connections.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Adjustable Settings For Fast Speeds to Browse Cheap Flights

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

With PIA, you can switch from the standard 256-bit encryption to the faster 128-bit. It’s a tad less secure but offers faster speeds for grabbing cheap deals. You can also adjust your public WiFi connection settings, which prevents hacking while you travel. While testing PIA on my iPhone, I automated my WiFi settings. If I join a WiFi hotspot, PIA automatically connects me to a secure server, hiding all my data, including payment details.

If you're new to VPNs, PIA's many settings could be overwhelming. But, settings come pre-configured, so you can change servers without adjusting anything. Long-term plans cost only $2.19/month and, like ExpressVPN, include a 30-day refund period. Each plan is also good for unlimited device connections as a bonus.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Cheap Flights

First, we tested that the VPNs can reliably mask your IP and replace it with one from another country. All our listed VPNs have a global network of servers for accessing global flight deals. We then evaluate the VPN's ability to prevent tracking and maintain your privacy so that booking sites can't inflate prices based on your browsing or location.

Speed is another critical factor we tested so you don't experience slowdowns, which is vital for browsing discounts. We also prioritize security during our tests. Our VPNs have strong encryption and verified no-logs policies to keep your online activity private and secure from hackers and snoops.

The Most Economical Countries for Booking Flights

Lower-income countries like Mexico, India, and Italy tend to have cheaper fares — although this can be inconsistent and depend largely on the destination of the trip. The biggest price drop I found was when I used a server in Vietnam to look at flights to and from Vietnam. Conversely, Vietnam was the most expensive when booking flights not connected to it.

To find more countries that offer cheap flights, consider regions with strong tourism industries, emerging economies, or those with multiple low-cost carriers competing for market share.

Flights were usually cheaper when I connected to a server in the country the airline is based in. For example, trips with Lufthansa were significantly cheaper when I connected to a German server since Lufthansa is based there. I also noticed that the UK tends to see significantly lower-priced flights, especially when one of the destinations is within its borders.

FAQs on Getting Cheap Flights With a VPN

Why are flights cheaper in some countries?

Several factors influence ticket prices, including:

• The overall wealth of a country
• The current popularity of a flight in your region
• Holidays or significant dates
• Political changes or recent events
• If you’re located in the same country as your chosen airline (some airlines offer cheaper prices in their home countries).

What’s the best VPN server location for getting cheap flights?

The best locations for cheap flights are often in lower-income and developing countries. You can access lower-priced airfares by connecting to servers in these regions. Countries of arrival or departure can also have cheaper fares, as can the country where the airline you’re using is based.

How do airlines and booking sites know where I'm located?

Airlines use your IP address to identify your location, among other tracking techniques. But you can mask your IP address with a VPN so airline sites won’t be able to see your true location. This way, you can browse other markets to find cheaper airfares.

Some other ways booking sites know your location include:

• Cookies. Data collected through your browser.
• Browser history. Tells sites where you’re browsing from.
• WiFi permissions. Travel sites can track your location based on your WiFi connection; you can reject permission when the site prompts you for this information.
• GPS. If you’re using a device with GPS enabled (like a smartphone), this is an easy way for sites to find out your location.
• HTML5. A code specifically generated by the geolocation of your device while you use it.

How else can a VPN help me when I'm traveling?

VPNs are useful during travel for online security and maintaining access to your local accounts. Using public WiFi poses a number of privacy risks and a VPN’s encryption and IP masking overcomes those. A VPN also helps to overcome bandwidth caps or network firewalls, which are commonplace on shared public WiFi networks.

In addition, you might find that many of your local online services aren’t available while abroad. Connecting to a VPN server in your home country allows you to access all of them no matter where you are.

Similarly, before you travel, you can connect to your destination country to get cheap hotels, car hire, tickets and tours, and other experiences. You may also find it useful to browse local websites and media outlets.

Is it illegal to use a VPN for finding cheap flights?

No, VPNs are legal in most countries. You can use a VPN if you live in a country that permits them. A few countries like China, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Russia prohibit or heavily regulate the use of VPNs. You should also read up on the travel site's terms of use regarding a tool to change your virtual location so you don't break any rules.

Why do currencies fluctuate so much?

Currency fluctuations are primarily driven by changes in interest rates, economic policies, political stability, and the overall economic performance of a country. Interest rates influence investor appetite for a currency; higher rates offer better returns on investments denominated in that currency, thus increasing its value.

When booking flights in a different currency, it’s important to note its performance against your own currency. Save a link to your phone so you can track the markets — a day or even a few hours can make a considerable difference. When the markets are in your favor, it may be a good time to book your hotels.

Can I use a free VPN to get cheap flights?

No, it isn’t really feasible to use a free VPN to get cheap flights. The best way to get cheap flights is with a VPN that offers good speeds over distance, has plenty of global servers, and unlimited speeds and data.

Free VPNs have limited locations and rarely have servers in countries that offer cheap flights, such as Malaysia, Bulgaria, or Turkey. Since their networks are usually tiny, servers tend to be crowded, which causes lag and slow load times. Add data caps to this, and you’re unlikely to get much use out of a free VPN.

Inconvenience is the least of your worries, though. Some free VPNs are dangerous and have been known to track and sell data to third parties or infect users’ devices with malware. You’re always better off opting for a low-cost premium VPN instead.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for cheap flights...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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