How to find cheap flight and train tickets

Travel & Places · 6 min read

Two people on the same flight can pay very different prices, and two cousins on the same train can be in different classes of anxiety about a waitlist. Transport is often the biggest chunk of a trip budget, and a bit of planning can trim it noticeably. Here is what actually helps.

Be flexible about dates and times

Flexibility is the strongest money-saving tool. Fares typically rise on Fridays, Sundays, festival weeks and school holidays, and fall on mid-week days. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday, or leaving at an unpopular hour such as early morning or late night, is often cheaper than a prime-time slot. Most booking sites have a fare calendar or a "flexible dates" view that shows prices across a whole month, so use it before you lock in anything.

Book at the right time

There is no magic day, but there are sensible windows. For domestic flights in India, booking roughly three to six weeks ahead often gives decent fares, while very last-minute tickets are usually the most expensive. For international flights, two to four months ahead is a common sweet spot, and peak seasons need earlier booking. Trains work differently: Indian Railways opens reservations 60 days in advance (rules can change, so confirm on the IRCTC site), and popular routes sell out of confirmed seats within days, so set a reminder for the opening morning.

Compare across several sites

1. Use a metasearch tool such as Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak to see many airlines at once.
2. Check the airline's own website before paying. Direct booking can match or beat the price and makes changes and refunds easier.
3. Compare booking platforms in India like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Ixigo and the airline apps, since each runs different coupons and bank offers.
4. Look at the full price, including baggage, seat selection, meals and convenience fees, rather than the headline fare.

Set price alerts

Instead of checking daily, let the tools do it. Google Flights, Skyscanner and Ixigo can email or notify you when a fare on your route changes. Track a route for a week or two to get a feel for the usual price range, then book when it dips below that range. For trains, apps and the IRCTC site can alert you about availability, which helps you grab cancellations.

Consider nearby airports and routes

Sometimes a nearby airport has cheaper flights, for example travelling to or from another big city within a couple of hours' reach. Connecting itineraries with a stop are usually cheaper than non-stop ones, but allow a comfortable gap, at least two to three hours, for the change. Do not book separate tickets for connections without a generous buffer, because if the first flight is late, the airline is not obliged to rebook the second one. Also watch for budget airlines on shorter routes, but check their baggage limits.

Watch the extras on low-cost flights

Add-on	How to save
Check-in baggage	Buy it at booking time; it is generally cheaper than at the airport. Travel with only cabin baggage if you can.
Seat selection	Skip it if you do not mind a random seat, and check in online for free allocation.
Meals	Pre-book if you want one, otherwise carry your own snacks past security.
Airport check-in fee	Do web check-in to avoid it.

Smart tactics for Indian trains

• Book early: start trying exactly when the 60-day window opens for your travel date.
• Try other quotas: Tatkal opens one day before departure, with separate rules for AC and non-AC, and ladies, senior citizen and other quotas may have availability.
• Check alternate trains and nearby stations, and split the journey with a break at a big junction if direct seats are full.
• Join the waitlist wisely: a low waitlist number on a popular train often clears as people cancel, and the app shows a confirmation chance. Do not rely on a high waitlist number for something critical.
• Consider other classes: sleeper and 3AC Economy cost less than higher AC classes, and some Vande Bharat or Shatabdi chair cars are good value for short distances.
• Use the cancellation-chart window: after the final chart is prepared, you can sometimes find leftover seats on the booking page.

Be careful about touts: book only through the official IRCTC website or app, or trusted agents. Unofficial software and "guaranteed Tatkal" offers can be scams or against railway rules.

Use offers, points and the right payment method

Check bank offers, credit card discounts, wallet cashback and airline loyalty programmes before paying. A 5 to 10 percent instant discount from a card you already own is worth taking, but only if you will repay the card in full, because interest charges can wipe out any saving. Student, senior citizen and defence discounts exist on some airlines and trains, so see if you qualify. Sign up for airline newsletters to hear about flash sales, and treat "only 2 seats left" messages with a little scepticism.

Know the refund and change rules

A very cheap ticket may be non-refundable, so if your plans might shift, pay a little extra for a flexible fare. Many platforms offer free cancellation within a short window after booking, which is helpful if you spot a better price. For trains, refund amounts depend on how close to departure you cancel, and the system charges a fee, so cancel early.

Final thoughts

Stay flexible on dates, compare widely, set alerts, book at the right time and read the fine print on extras and refunds. Prices change constantly and rules vary by airline and country, so always verify details on the official website before you pay.