Travel Tips

Hot Tips for Buying International Flights for Your Family: 250+ Flights Later

Hot Tips for Buying International Flights for Your Family: 250+ Flights Later

Last updated: October 26, 2026. This update corrects selected flight-search, fare and booking guidance; the family’s flight experiences and fare examples remain historical. Date information added October 30, 2026.

Family flight tips first published October 12, 2023. Our flight count, past fares, family routines and stories describe that earlier experience. These examples can help you compare choices, but fares, routes, ticket conditions and provider offers change. Use the total price and terms for your own itinerary.

Travel addicts like us constantly daydream about where to go next and what kind of deal we can get on our flights. Flights can be a major part of an international trip budget, especially for a family, but fares vary widely by route, dates, season, airline, and what the ticket includes. Compare the total cost for the itinerary you need rather than planning around one average price.

We traveled full-time as a family of seven for almost three years and took dozens of flights from the US, to Asia, to Europe, to New Zealand, and back. In fact, in our rough estimate of flights, our family has taken around 250 flights and traveled over a million miles combined! We know what it is to fly!

Booking flights is a constant battle in trying to find the ideal dates, the correct route, the right arrival and departure times, and all at the right price. But we are happy to share some of the many tips and tricks we’ve learned along our journey.

When comparing departure and arrival times, our tips for handling jet lag with kids can also help you think through the first days of your trip.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

Watch the originally linked family film: Flying To Bali With 5 Kids! | Our Epic International Adventure!

Timing Is Everything When Buying Flights for Your Family

Ultra Planner vs. Last-Minute Flight Purchasing

There isn’t one booking window that works for every international flight. Fare patterns depend on the route, travel dates, demand, and ticket conditions. If your plans allow it, compare dates and set a price alert; booking close to departure can also be a gamble, so don’t count on a last-minute deal.

Booking early can give you more time to plan, but an airline can later change a schedule. Your options depend on the ticket, the nature of the change, the seller, and the rules that apply to your trip. Read the fare terms and keep an eye on messages from the airline or booking site; don’t assume every change can be made for free.

Fares can move in either direction as departure gets closer, and waiting for a last-minute discount is uncertain. If you need to travel on particular dates, compare the available options and book when the itinerary and total price work for your family.

We once had a flight delayed by about nine hours. We had booked our connecting flight separately, so we were going to miss the second flight. We were sitting at the airport, booking our family on a new flight and boarding just a couple of hours later. The new flight cost three times as much as the original. We felt we had little choice because we had also paid for the second flight, rental car, and hotels at our destination, and canceling those plans at the last minute could have meant penalties. That was our experience with a separate-ticket connection; check how each ticket handles delays and missed connections before you book.

Compare Departure Days

Flight prices can vary by departure date, but there isn’t one weekday that is always cheapest. If your schedule is flexible, compare the actual dates on your route and include any extra hotel, childcare, or time-off costs before choosing a travel day.

Compare Prices Across Dates

Airfares can change as availability and demand change, but we can’t count on Tuesday discounts or a cheaper weekend for every route. Compare the price for your exact itinerary across the dates you can travel, and check the final fare and conditions before booking.

Flexibility on Dates

Compare flexible dates with Google Flights and Skyscanner, then compare the actual route. Google Flights offers a calendar and price graph, while Skyscanner has a flexible-date view. These tools can help you spot date differences; some displayed prices are estimates, so confirm the fare and total cost before booking. If your travel dates can move—which can be tough with work and school—check several options.

On Skyscanner, the flexible-date view lets you compare fares across a month. Its calendar prices are indicative and may be based on recent searches; select a date to check current options and the final price with the provider.

Use Fare-Tracking Tools as a Guide

The tools linked here include AirHint and Hopper. Their features and predictions can change, so check what each currently offers and treat any estimate as one input—not a promise of the fare you’ll pay.

Google’s support information describes Price Guarantee for select eligible itineraries. I hadn’t seen that option myself when writing the earlier guide. Confirm the eligibility and terms actually offered for your exact booking before relying on a payout. The earlier guide’s link is retained here; see also Google’s current booking-support guidance. here.

Flight-deal services such as Going and Next Vacay change their plans, prices, and eligible departure locations. If you’re considering one, check the provider’s current membership terms and route coverage to see whether it fits your home airport and travel plans.

Compare Holiday Travel Dates

For holidays such as Easter and Christmas, compare the holiday itself with nearby dates on your route. Prices and airport conditions vary, so allow time for the season and check your own itinerary rather than assuming the holiday will be cheaper or quieter.

Other Tips for Booking International Flights for Your Family

Consider Other Airports When Booking Your Flights

If you can reach more than one airport, compare the full trip cost from each one. A lower fare can be offset by the drive, parking, an overnight stay, or extra ground transportation, so check the numbers for your dates.

Another option is to book a separate ticket to reach a larger hub. It may lower the fare on some itineraries, but separate tickets can leave you responsible for making the connection if the first flight is delayed. You may also need to collect and recheck bags or change airports. Compare the full costs and connection time, and check the terms for each ticket before booking.

When a Fare Changes

If a fare changes between searches, the change alone does not show why. Fares and availability can change, so verify that you are comparing the same itinerary and confirm the final price before you pay.

Have you ever returned to a flight search after it refreshed or timed out and seen a higher price? That can be frustrating. In the earlier guide, I described my habit of waiting at least a day or two before returning to buy, or even a week. That was my own practice; waiting does not guarantee a lower fare. Compare the dates, airports, passengers, fare type and bags, then confirm the final price with the seller.

Clearing site data or using a private-browsing window can change what your browser stores locally, but neither is a reliable way to lower a fare. Clearing data can also sign you out of sites, depending on your browser and settings.

Chrome Incognito limits what is saved on your device after the session ends. It does not make you invisible to websites or your network, and it does not promise a lower fare. On a Mac, press Command+Shift+N; on Windows, press Control+Shift+N. See Chrome’s explanation of Incognito.

Comparing From Different Locations

In the earlier guide, I described seeing lower European fares when shopping from Portugal, our home, and suggested trying ExpressVPN. That was an observation and a tool preference, rather than evidence that location or a VPN caused the price difference. Compare the same itinerary, currency and ticket conditions before drawing conclusions.

Be Flexible With Destinations

Skyscanner’s Everywhere search can show destination ideas from your origin, and Google Flights offers destination suggestions and a map. These are useful starting points when you are flexible about where to go; compare actual dates and confirm current fares before making plans.

Compare Routes Through Airline Hubs

A hub can be one factor to consider, but it doesn’t mean an airline will always have the lowest fare or fewest connections. In our searches, we have often found United flights to Denver and Delta flights to Salt Lake City that worked well for us. Compare the actual route, dates, stops, and total price for your trip.

Airline networks change, so use current airline search tools for the dates and connections you need. A hub designation does not establish the cheapest fare or a guaranteed connection. The earlier guide’s background explanation of hubs remains available.

For current planning, start with Alaska’s route map, American’s destinations, Delta’s route map, United’s flight search or JetBlue’s route map (the linked view starts with Seattle and Boston selected). Route maps are planning aids; check actual flights for your dates.

Compare One-Way and Round-Trip Fares

Two one-way tickets can sometimes price differently from a round trip, but the result depends on the route and dates. In one search I made for India, I saw a one-way fare around $700 compared with about $3,000 for a round trip; that was a specific past search, not a current fare or a general price rule.

Pay close attention to airport names when comparing one-way tickets. Airports serving the same metro area can be far apart, and getting to the wrong one can put a connection at risk. We have run into this kind of mix-up in London; check the exact airports and ground-transfer time for your itinerary.

Compare Booking Options

In the original guide I wrote, “While I always start with Google Flights to find flights, I always book directly with the airline.” That reflects my preference. I was concerned about support from booking sites such as Kiwi.com if there was a booking or bag problem. Compare the total fare and who will handle changes before choosing your seller; support varies.

Booking directly may make it simpler to contact the airline about a ticket it sold, but it does not guarantee better service or the lowest total price. Check who handles support and changes for the ticket you choose.

Other Ways to Manage Flight Costs

1. Luggage. Baggage allowances and fees vary by airline, route, and fare. Compare the total price with the bags your family needs, and check whether paying for a checked bag in advance changes the fee. Carrying less can simplify airport transfers if it works for your trip.

2. Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle if they work for your travel day. Airport and onboard food options and prices vary, so check the rules for the airports and airlines on your itinerary before packing.

3. Transportation to and from the airport can add to a family’s trip costs. Check the route, schedule, luggage needs, and current fare for your destination before you go. Public transportation works well in some places, while a different option may suit other itineraries; packing light can help.

4. Check infant and child fares directly with the airline for your route. Lap-infant rules, fees, seat requirements, age bands, and child fares vary; don’t assume a child under two flies free or that a discount applies. Confirm the ticket type and seating arrangement before booking.

My Additional Tips for Booking Flights

1. Pay attention to layover times. These can make or break a travel day. For our family, I prefer not to book a connection shorter than 1.5 hours, but the time you need depends on the airport, terminals, immigration, baggage, and whether the flights are on separate tickets. Check the connection details and leave extra time when your itinerary requires it.

2. Watch arrival times. Some international flights arrive on a different calendar day from departure. Check the full itinerary, local dates and times, and layover lengths before you book.

3. Airline reward programs. When we were traveling full-time with our kids, we had no allegiance to one airline; it was all about the cheapest flights. After that full-time travel period, we became a bit more stationary and built up rewards with a major airline. That brought benefits and trade-offs for us: sometimes we paid more to earn rewards, and we reported benefits such as free luggage, better seating and better customer service. Those were our experiences, rather than guarantees for every member. Program rules and benefits vary, so compare the current terms and the total fare before choosing an airline for loyalty points.

Flying with loved ones can be part of the fun. Use these ideas to compare the options that fit your family and look forward to the memories you’ll make along the way!

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

Amazing 5-Day Scotland Itinerary for Families

Living the Magic of Harry Potter With Kids in Edinburgh, Scotland: Self-Guided Tour

What to Know When Visiting Athens, Greece With Kids