EasyTicket Flights are usually the biggest chunk of an international trip budget. Even on the same route and date, one traveler might pay ₩300,000 while another pays ₩800,000—and there’s a reason for that. EasyTicket checked data directly from ARC, a specialist air-ticketing organization, and Expedia, and pulled together only the flight-booking tips that actually work.
Bottom line — 18~29 days before departure, book on Sunday, and fly on Tuesday or Wednesday are typically the cheapest options.
✈️ When Is the Cheapest Time to Book an International Flight?
The idea that “the earlier you buy, the cheaper it is” is only half true. Buying too early or too late can both cost you.
Best booking window based on departure date
According to Expedia, international flights are cheapest when booked 18~29 days before departure (Source: Expedia). Book too far ahead, before airlines can gauge demand, and prices may be set high; wait until the final week and last-minute demand pushes them back up.
Target the off-season
Skip peak season and the same route can cost half as much.
| Period | Price trend | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-January ~ early March | Lowest off-season fares | ✅ |
| April ~ May | Gradual rise | 🔸 |
| July ~ August (summer vacation) | Peak-season high | ⚠️ |
| September ~ October | Fall off-season | ✅ |
| Late November ~ early December | Short off-season just before year-end | ✅ |
| Late December (year-end) | Peak-season spike | ⚠️ |
📅 Booking and departure weekdays can make a difference
Even on the same flight, when you click the payment button can mean a difference of more than 10%.
Which day to book
According to ARC’s 2025 Air Travel Tips Report, booking on Sunday is up to 13% cheaper than booking on Friday (Source: ARC). Sunday night, when weekend workers are making travel plans and comparison shopping picks up, is an unexpected sweet spot.
Which day to depart
- Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday departures = typically cheaper than weekends
- Friday or Sunday departures = most expensive (concentrated demand from office workers)
- Late-night / early-morning flights are often 20~30% cheaper than daytime flights on the same day
💡 5 Ways to Get Cheaper Flights
1. Start with metasearch sites
Open metasearch engines like Skyscanner, KAYAK, and Google Flights first. They pull real-time data from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies worldwide, so it’s much faster than checking each airline’s website one by one.
2. Use private browsing(incognito)
Repeatedly searching the same route is sometimes reported to nudge prices up slightly based on cookies. Right before paying, check once more in private browsing or another browser for peace of mind.
3. Check mobile-app-only discounts
Skyscanner, Trip.com, and KAYAK all offer separate app-only discount codes. A web fare of ₩500,000 might show up in the app at ₩470,000.
4. Consider connecting flights
Insisting on nonstop flights can push the price way up. Accepting one stop (a 3~5-hour layover) can make the same destination 20~40% cheaper.
5. Compare different departure and arrival airports
For Tokyo, compare Narita ↔ Haneda; for Osaka, Kansai ↔ Kobe; and when flying to Europe, compare departing from Incheon and Gimhae. Changing airports alone can save more than ₩100,000.
💰 Make the Most of Credit-Card Deals and Discount Codes
Airline-ticket discounts from card issuers
Most card issuers run ongoing partner discounts with flight-booking sites. Checking the “Travel/Air” category on Shinhan, Samsung, and Hyundai Card websites once before payment can save 5~10%.
New-member discount codes
Most booking platforms, including Trip.com, Interpark Tour, and KAYAK, offer new-member discount codes. If you have an unused account under a family member’s or acquaintance’s name, paying through that account is also a legitimate way to save.
⚠️ Common mistakes and things to watch out for
Low-cost carrier (LCC) = automatically cheap ❌ — Once you add baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meal options, the total can exceed that of a full-service carrier (FSC). Compare the final price at checkout.
Use this checklist
- Passport validity: Make sure at least 6 months remain (the No. 1 reason for denied entry)
- Baggage rules: They vary by airline — check checked and cabin baggage separately
- Refund / change fees: The more discounted the fare, the more likely it is nonrefundable
- Payment currency: Pay in Korean won (KRW) — save on DCC fees
- Airline direct sales vs. OTA: If the price is the same, buying direct is better for changes and refunds
📋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Are Tuesday and Wednesday really the cheapest?
Statistically, yes on average for international flights. But patterns vary by route and season, so the surest approach is to compare a window of ±2~3 days around your departure date all at once.
Q2. Which is better: earning miles or taking a discount?
For a one-off trip, a discount is better; if you travel abroad at least once a year, accumulating miles pays off over the long term.
Q3. Are last-minute flight deals trustworthy?
Travel agencies get officially issued airline seats that haven’t sold and release them, so the seats themselves are the same. However, refunds and changes are almost impossible, so use these deals only when your itinerary is fixed.
🎯 Wrap-up — The essentials
Flight prices come down to a mix of timing + channel + options. About a month before departure, open a comparison site in private browsing on Sunday night, add a card-issuer discount, and you may be able to travel for 20~30% less than usual. That’s enough to move up one hotel tier or add another local activity for the same budget.
Even a quick pass through EasyTicket’s checklist above can help you head off on your next international trip with a noticeably lighter wallet. 🛫