How to find flights?

[doistayordoigo]

This is going to sound like a really stupid question, but we've mostly driven to Europe before, or gone as part of a package. Just looking at planning something independently and am okay with everything except flights.

So obviously I can look at say Easyjet or BA or whatever, but how do I know which UK airports go to where, or on what days of the week, or which places have direct flights? Is there an easy place to look for this information so I don't spend hours on each website?

Skyscanner, you can look at it by month rather then specific dates so it's easier to choose what days to fly (as you can base it on cheapest days).

Just to add though I only use skyscanner to find our flights, I then always book direct with the airline, and you need to remember the price on skyscanner doesn't include luggage/extras.

Skyscanner has some great options for your questions.

You can search for from your nearest airport to "anywhere", at the the most extreme, and it will give you a list of destinations by country.

You can also search for departure airport to anywhere in a specific country (tick direct only if you don't want to transfer).

It also is flexible on timings, so you can search for anytime during a month (giving you a little chart of which dates are cheapest, or even anytime this year if you're really flexible.

Second Skyscanner.

I also really like Google Flights, you can even enter your local town and select from nearby airports they will recommend. It's very easy to use and for the destination you can select a whole country, specific region (eg Balearics instead of one island only) or city/town.

I only use Google Flights or Skyscanner to check prices and routes though. Then book direct with the airline - I don't recommend using a third party if you can avoid. I say this as someone who takes 50+ flights a year and has learnt the hard way that it's so much better to book direct / with an alliance airline at worst.

PS forgot to say, the only downside of Google Flights is that if you're checking return routes, it always 'pairs' the flights from/to the same airport. This is sometimes not the cheapest option if for example you live in London, and wouldn't mind flying out from Stansted but in to Luton. For that reason I often look up one-ways just to make sure the cheapest option isn't booking outward and inward travel on different airlines/different routes.

www.cheapholidayexpert.com is worth checking out - she started up a couple of years ago on YT with a '10 hols in a year for under £1700' challenge and branched out from there.

Skyscanner is good for working out routings. Another option is to put in your preferred airport online and see what destinations come up

Thanks for all the advice, off to check Skyscanner now

Will also check out cheap holiday expert as that sound like it will be useful!

Yes, Skyscanner! Have a lovely trip!

"Orbitz" or "Kayak" also, they sometimes have other options.

Yes yes to Skyscanner. Check where the bargains are and then ALWAYS book direct with the airline.

Also Skyscanner.
I also check Expedia and Momondo.

Comparison sites don't show ALL combinations and ALL airlines so worth playing around.

My holy grail however for Europe is easyJet. Sign up to their website and you'll get told when flights are released etc.

@PAFMO is easyJet as onerous about fees and gotcha conditions as Ryanair? I haven’t flown easyJet in forever, maybe 10 years.

[quote JingsMahBucket]@PAFMO is easyJet as onerous about fees and gotcha conditions as Ryanair? I haven’t flown easyJet in forever, maybe 10 years.[/quote]
I definitely find them more upfront about it. You have choices of what to pay for, and the comfort of the planes is incomparable

To add a cabin suitcase to an easyJet ticket (Ryanair’s ‘Priority Boarding’ option) is often a lot more expensive than on Ryanair. Both airlines only allow a small backpack or handbag as the default hand luggage allowance, so you need to pay for anything extra. Ryanair averages at £/€10-20 per flight, easyJet is more in the 25-40 range. Which is outrageous for a small suitcase. Just last week I was buying a flight which cost €25, and they were asking for €47 for a priority seat which allows you to bring two items on board.

Checked luggage (15/20/23kg) is slightly cheaper on easyJet, but Ryanair also has the 10kg option which is much cheaper than a big suitcase, if that’s all you need.

Both charge for seat selection (easyJet more than Ryanair) but on the latter you know for sure you’ll be seated separately if you don’t prebook. On easyJet you sometimes get lucky and they assign you seats together.

@PAFMO and @EileenGC good to know. Thank you. I think I’ll float easyJet back up my list again.

[quote JingsMahBucket]**@PAFMO* and @EileenGC* good to know. Thank you. I think I’ll float easyJet back up my list again.[/quote]
Check out other low-cost (and not) as well- I've booked a flight for late August and BA was cheaper than either.
Iberia Express are good and cheap.
It's really a question of searching around and booking at the right time. Create an account with all the airlines you can and then you're kept very (too much at times!) informed.