Flights. When it comes to booking international flights, it's best to book your flight at least 3 months in advance. But even if you're looking months in advance, what exactly should you look for? Price. This is important because low-cost fares are often non-refundable. That being said, it's important to shop around for deals and set up price alerts to monitor airfare. Explore leaving and arriving at different nearby airports or multi-city destinations. This will allow for finding the best flights possible. It's also important to make your travel flexible (avoid traveling on weekends if possible).
Some possible websites to find your flights are:
STA travel
Kayak
Travelocity
Google Flights
Airline Websites (Emirates, KLM, NZ Air, etc.)
These websites aggregate flight information from different airlines so you can see what different options might be. They may not all have the same information and if you find a great airfare, go directly to the airline's website to check the price.
Flexibility is key!
Refundable flights are more expensive, but make sure you read the fine print!
Buy tickets directly from airlines. This makes it easier to deal with itinerary changes, extensions, etc.
Flight destinations sometimes cannot be changed depending on the ticket so again read the fine print!
And lastly, check to see if you can change the dates of your flight... in case you decide to stay longer or need to return earlier.
Timing is everything when it comes to booking flights. It's important to think about how many stops you might have. A direct flight might be more expensive, but your travel will be shorter. However, if you have to change planes, airlines, or airports, make sure to give yourself plenty of time! You may need to go through security again and many international airports are HUGE! It's also important to remember that time changes depending on where you are headed and it's important to consider your arrival time based on their time zone, not yours.
Finally...
Be prepared for changes! Cancelled flights, delayed flights, missed connections, etc. They are all bound to happen when travelling abroad.
As I'm gearing up to book my flight to Ireland, I keep in mind all these things. I feel like I would be lost without this information knowing I am travelling to another country by myself. But I'm excited for this journey and cannot wait to book my flight to Ireland!
Comentarios