Booking a flight can be tedious and boring.

But it’s a process that can lead you to some breathtaking locals.

And there’s no reason that it has to be a drain on your wallet. Here are some tips and tricks to help you find economy flights.

The Day of the Week To Book Economy Flights

Tuesday has often been thought of as the magic day to buy plane tickets on. Unfortunately, as we’ll see throughout this post, there really isn’t a magic answer to finding a cheap flight.

But if you are trying to get as much of an edge as possible, Thursday is actually the day to book on.

New data supports that Thursday is the best day to book on International flights if you want a good deal.

Unfortunately, booking on Thursday isn’t going to make as much of a difference on domestic flights. Those prices don’t fluctuate as much.

Can’t book on Thursday?

Wednesday is a good backup. But again, finding a great deal is really about putting your nose to the grindstone and being patient.

Book in Advance

Try to book your flight in advance.

Generally, the closer a flight is to depart, the more it’s going to cost. Try to book about a month and a half prior for domestic flights, and about three months in advance for international flights.

Last minute deals might save you money, but that’s not a game anyone wants to play. Do you really think you’ll be kicking yourself on the last minute gamble that could only save you a few dollars?

Delete Your Cookies (Maybe)

This is another one of those non-existent magic answers to finding a cheap flight. Many people believe that airlines and online booking companies keep track of repeated flight searches and increase prices on repeat searches.

The solution to this is to delete your cookies. But there’s no real evidence that they keep track of your searches.

But if you are trying to find the best deal, and it doesn’t hurt looking both ways. When searching, have one browser with cookies and one without. And if one nets you a better deal, congratulations!

Be Flexible

This is going to be your best bet on finding a deal. The more leeway you have with traveling the better.

You’re going to find the best deals when you don’t need to arrive on an exact day. The larger your window for travel, the more likely you are to find the deal that’s right for you.

Booking on certain days might not save you much, but leaving on a certain day will. Try to leave on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays. Not as many people travel on these days, which will make ticket prices lower.

Tiss the Season

This same logic applies to holiday seasons. If you can, avoid this like the plague. And research the peak seasons for the area you’re traveling in. Remember, more people traveling means higher ticket prices.

Traveling during off seasons has the added bonus of being a little easier on your sanity. You’re more likely to get the seat you like, and you might even end up with an empty seat next to you. This is in stark contrast to a packed flight, where you’re surrounded by crying babies.

Journey and Not the Destination

This flexibility also applies to where you’re going and how you get there. Have time off and not sure where to go? Perfect. You’re bound to find a great deal on an economy flight when you have countless destinations to chose from.

If you do have a location in mind, try to be open to how you get there. You might find that a couple of connecting flights will get you there cheaper than a direct flight.

Layovers and Airports

Don’t toss out a cheap flight plan just because there’s a layover. Often, these layovers can be in amazing cities and can become mini-vacations themselves. Be like this guy, who traveled the world on $300.

Also, keep in mind the airports in the area. If you’re going to a bustling metropolis, you’ll find at least a couple of airports. Each will have different flights at various prices.

Just don’t do what I did and arrive in Japan a day earlier than all your friends, which resulted in me wandering aimlessly around Tokyo. I ended up spending a miserable night in a capsule hotel and spending more money than I needed to.

Be Open Minded

Flying is the safest way to travel. Remember that when you’re looking for economy flights because the cheapest deals might be with an airline that you’ve never heard of.

If you have a connecting flight, don’t be afraid to book with different airlines either. Competition is healthy. Your favorite airline’s competitor might have a great deal to get you to your final destination.

Search Tools and Email

Look in as many places for a deal as you can. Try sites like Kayak, Skyscanner, and Momondo. If one doesn’t have the deal you’re looking for, another will.

Be sure to sign up for email alerts. Some airlines save the best deals for their own sites. This isn’t necessarily bad and cuts out any middleman.

And when you finally have your flight plans all figured out, what are you going to do when you get there? If your travels take you to Vietnam, read more here. They offer adventure tours and are a must when touring the remote areas of Vietnam.

Take Control of Your Flight Plan

Flying can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find the economy flight that’s right for you through sleuthing, patience, and flexibility.

But no matter where you’re going, there are a lot of options out there for finding an economy flight. They’re just waiting to be discovered.

Follow these tips to find the best economy flights possible.