Table of Contents
In this article we will tell you everything you need to know to book cheap flights with kids. Flying is becoming increasingly expensive – especially if you are flying with kids. But the good news is that it is still possible to find cheap flights in 2026. The need to be savvy is more important than ever.
It is more important than ever to use some clever money-saving tricks to avoid paying more than you should. Search algorithms and comparison websites are becoming increasingly clever at charging the highest possible prices. And you definitely have to watch out for sneaky charges.
In this article we will share our best savvy money saving tips and secrets for booking the cheapest possible flights with kids. We are a full-time travel family who have found these tips very effective.
Find out more about the ways that airlines scam you our of money
1 Shop around
If you are looking for cheap fights with kids you will need to shop around. We recommend using a good comparison websites like Skyscanner to find cheap flights. Skyscanner will usually give you a list of airlines and prices for your route and date. We then recommend checking directly on the airline’s website to see if they offer cheaper prices than Skyscanner. Google flights is also a good tool for comparing a flight prices. The more websites you shop around the greater your chances of snatching up a sweet deal.
Check the latest prices for your flights on Skyscanner
2 Use a VPN or browse incognito
Customers in the UK and USA pay a lot more for flights and holidays compared to people booking in other locations. There are some clever ways to work around this. If you spend a lot of time searching for flights this will signal your interest to the search algorithms and they increase the price. Therefore, when you are looking for flight it is very important to use an incognito browser. It’s really simple to do this – all the main internet browsers should have an incognito function which allows you to browse without being stalked by pesky cookies. Another way to book cheap flights is to use a VPN. A VPN will trick websites into thinking you’re booking from somewhere else- somewhere that is actually cheaper for flights. As long as you enter accurate payment details and contact details you should have a successful booking.
3 Be flexible about your flight dates
Try to be flexible with your flight dates (if possible). If you are only able to book flights during the school holidays consider booking on the Monday after the start of the school holiday. After the weekend rush prices normally drop. This also gives you time to pack and settle into the holiday before you depart on your flight. If you are very flexible with your flight dates you can actually search for the cheapest month to fly on Skyscanner. Being flexible across a month allows you to view the prices on different dates and pick a cheap day to fly. We think this is one of Skyscanners most helpful functions.
4 Avoid booking during weekends and evenings
We mentioned that the algorithms are out to get as much money from you as possible. On average more people book flights during the evenings and weekends. So the price of flights increases during the peak booking times. If possible, we recommend trying to book your flight during the day time and on a weekday. Hopefully no one will mind you booking some cheeky flight during your lunch break – what better way to make your day happy!
5 Be flexible with your route
If you are determined to book cheap flights with kids we strongly recommend that you are creative and flexible with your route. For example, if you are planning to fly to Japan, consider flying into Korea first and then looking for a cheaper flight to Japan. Look for cheap neighboring countries and then consider local flights or traveling overland into your next destination. This also allows you to see another country. Sometimes it is actually cheaper to book two separate flights with different airlines rather than booking the whole flight with one Airline. If you do book two separate parts of the flight yourself, remember that you will be responsible for your transfer between the flights. So if your first flight is delayed, you may need to pay the full cost of your second flight. So make sure you allow plenty of time for the transfer. Trying to work out at the best route and cheapest options is time-consuming but may save you hundreds of pounds.
6 Be open to long layovers
Be prepared to take a long layover. If you are looking for cheap flights with kids, you will often find that the cheapest options have ugly long layovers. However, the difference in price between flights may justify booking a cheap hotel to get some rest rather than taking a shorter layover. This can also allow you to see an additional country. Remember to check the visa and entry requirements for the country of your layover. If you are really traveling on a low budget you may need to consider spending a lot of time at the airport. There are things that you can and prepared to make this a smooth experience.
7 Remember to budget for your airport transfer
When you are looking for cheap flights with kids you will need to be flexible about your departure and arrival Airport. However, we do recommend considering the cost of traveling to the airport. For example, if you live in the north of the United Kingdom and you find a cheap flight from Heathrow Airport in London, it may actually cost more money to travel across the UK than it would to take a flight from a more local northern airport. Also, if you are planning to drive to the airport and leave your car in long stay parking, this will probably add hundreds of pounds to your trip budget. So consider cheap ways to get to the airport. Top tip: If you plan to rent a car consider getting a pick up at the airport to save you the cost of a taxi.
Check car rental prices on Skyscanner
8 Book early if possible
If you are looking for cheap flights we recommend trying to book as early as possible. On average flights are much cheaper when you book months in advance. It is true that you can get some great last-minute deals from time to time. However, we do not recommend relying on this. If you have a plan and a destination, we recommend trying to get your flight booked up nice and early. Even if you don’t have time to book accommodation and plan the rest of your holiday, at least once you have your flights in the bag you can come back to the rest of the planning later.
9 Be willing to fly at awkward times
If you are trying to book cheap flights with kids we recommend being willing to fly at awkward times. No one likes the idea of taking a flight that departs late at night or very early in the morning. However, if you are traveling on a serious budget it is more important to consider the price of the flight rather than the flight time.
10 Always check budget Airlines website directly
Skyscanner will often recommend a range of airlines – including some budget airlines. We recommend checking the price of the flight directly on the website of a budget airline. From time to time it is actually cheaper to book directly with the airline compared to booking on Skyscanner. Occasionally, Skyscanner (or its partner websites) may take payments for tickets without actually getting the ticket from the airline. It is very frustrating to find out later. You will normally be emailed within an hour or two to confirm that you have e-tickets with the airline. Watch out for the frustrating emails that tell you your tickets were declined.
11 Get clever with your check in luggage
Many budget airlines charge additional fees to check in baggage to your booking. This can add a lot of money to your flight. If you are trying to book cheap flights with kids on the Budget Airline we recommend that you get clever with your check-in luggage. Aim to have one check-in bag for you and your family. Try to be clever with your heavy items. You should be allowed a carry-on bag for each member of your family. Check the weight and dimensions of the bag that you are allowed to carry on the flight. If possible spread your heavy items across your carry-on bags. Also, remember that your carry-on bags need to include any valuables. Don’t put valuable items in your check-in baggage. If you are flying with an infant you may be given free baggage allowance (normally an extra carry on bag). You may also be allowed to check in a free baby carrier backpack instead of a pram. This can be stuffed with extra supplies. And finally, you probably don’t need as much as you think. As a full-time travel family we have one main check-in bag which is approximately 25kg.
12 Say no to all the extras
When you are booking a flight you will be taken through various booking pages tempting you to buy all sorts of extras. It may be flexible tickets, insurance, seat selection and more. If you are trying to book cheap flights with kids, say no to all the extras. Watch out because the booking websites are very clever. Tricking you into accidentally selecting extras but you don’t really want. In some cases add ons may be selected by default. Read the wording carefully and be sure you deselect everything. Watch the price as you go through the booking to make sure they don’t sneak it up.
13 Use Skyscanner price alerts
Another way to book cheap flights with kids is to use the Skyscanner price alerts. This is a very clever function that allows you to get notifications from Skyscanner when there are drops in flight prices. All you need to do is enter your desired routes, dates and an email address. Skyscanner will drop you an email if the prices drop. Keep an eye on your emails and be ready to book quickly to snatch up the best deals. Getting several price alerts for similar routes and dates will allow you to book the cheapest deals for your desired flights.
14 Aim to fly in and out of capital cities by possible
On average it is cheaper to fly into and out of capital cities compared to smaller cities. If you are planning to visit Chiang Mai in Thailand for example, we recommend booking your flight into Bangkok and then traveling overland to Chiang Mai. It is also likely to be cheaper to fly out of a capital city. However, if you are living in an expensive country it may cost you a lot to travel overland to the airport. Therefore, the best way to budget is to consider the travel cost in the country against the overall cost of your flights. Where possible, we do recommend trying to book in and out of capital cities.
15 When you are pricing up flights go right to the last step
When you are trying to book cheap flights with kids, the advertised price is rarely the price you pay by the end of the booking. By the time you have added kids, baggage, tax and booking fees, your ticket price may be much higher than the original quote. So when you’re shopping around you do need to go through the whole mundane process – right up to the payment page. Make sure that you enter all passengers and baggage and go all the way through to the booking page to get a final price for your flight. Many airlines add sneaky costs to the advertised price. Shopping around like this can be very time-consuming but it can save you hundreds of pounds on your flights. So even spending 2 or 3 hours is worthwhile.
Looking for more ideas?
Don’t miss our GENIUS TIPS for flying with a baby. Trust me, we have made all the mistakes so you don’t have to!
ALSO Don’t miss our FULL PLANNING CHECKLIST for flying with a baby
