How to Find Cheap International Airfares

If you're looking to travel internationally, you've probably already found out how expensive airfares can be.

So rather than spend hours searching through the search engines for sites offering discount international airfares, here are some ideas to get you started. These sites contain some of the best deals on the net, and make it quick and easy to find a great deal.



Europe

Surprisingly enough, there are search engines that specifically cater for people who want to source cheap international airfares. Check them all out, because each of them source their deals in different ways, so they won't all have the same cheap international airfares. These three search engines cater primarily for people who want to fly Europe.

- Goo Flight (http://www.gooflight.com/). They cover 35 countries, 16 airlines and over 230 cities, including popular destinations such as Ireland, England, Italy, France and Spain.

- Sky Scanner (http://www.skyscanner.net/). This search engine is a little different, because it allows you to search the database for specific dates, locations or trips. Most cheap international airfare sites simply list what's actually available.

- Apple Fares (http://www.applefares.com/). This website has recently undergone a change, and has become part of CheapFlights. They focus on cheap airfares around Europe, so it might be possible for you to source a really cheap airfare from the US to London, as an example, then use this site to find a cheap airfare to continue your journey to your destination in Europe.

Intercontinental or Within the US

- Fare Chase (http://farechase.yahoo.com/). Recently acquired by Yahoo!, this site maintains its simple, easy to use style.

- Qixo (http://www.qixo.com/). Boldly states that it's the largest airfare search engine around, and there's no doubt that it covers a lot.

- Opodo (http://www.opodo.co.uk/). Allows you to search its comprehensive database with a variety of factors, including different fares, airlines, ages and traveling partners.

Lists of Cheap International Airfares

Not all cheap international airfare websites are search engines - there are also websites that simply list all the best deals that are available. Here are a few of the best:

- LowCostAirlines.org (http://etntelephone.com/lcostair.htm). This site has loads of information, with lists of budget airlines, forums and search engines, as well as cheap airfare deals. It tells you where the various cheap airlines are based, so you know which ones to look at for travel to a particular destination.

- Attitude Travel (http://www.attitudetravel.com/lowcostairlines.html). This is an enormous site, and includes a list of all the cheap international airlines that fly to and from Europe.

Air Couriers

Some people have found that traveling as an air courier is a great way to get a cheap international airfare. My sister did this in order to fly home for my wedding. It doesn't suit everyone, because you have to give up your luggage space so that the courier's shipped goods can use it. You don't have anything to do with the courier shipment. It's not for everyone, but it's an option if you want a cheap international airfare. To find out more about traveling as an air courier, visit:

- The International Association of Air Couriers (http://www.courier.org/)
- The Air Courier Association (http://www.aircourier.org/)
- http://budgettravel.about.com/cs/aircouriers/
- Air Hitch (http://www.air-hitch.org/)

Happy traveling :-)