EasyTicket Airfare is the single biggest chunk of any overseas trip’s budget. Two people can book the same route on the same date and still pay 300,000 won versus 800,000 won — and there’s a real reason for that gap. EasyTicket dug into data from ARC, the airline ticket transaction specialist, and Expedia to put together the flight-booking tips that actually work.
The bottom line — On average, the cheapest fares come from booking 18~29 days before departure, on a Sunday, for a Tuesday or Wednesday departure.
✈️ When Is the Best Time to Book International Flights?
“The earlier you book, the cheaper it is” is only half true. Buy too early, and you lose out. Buy too late, and you lose out too.
The Sweet Spot Before Departure
According to Expedia, the cheapest window for international tickets is 18~29 days before departure (source: Expedia). Book too far ahead, and airlines haven’t yet seen how demand is shaping up, so they price high. Wait until within a week of departure, and last-minute demand pushes prices back up.
Aim for the Off-Season
Avoid peak season, and the same route can cost half as much.
| Period | Price Trend | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Jan ~ early Mar | Lowest off-season prices | ✅ |
| Apr ~ May | Gradual increase | 🔸 |
| Jul ~ Aug (summer vacation) | Peak-season high | ⚠️ |
| Sep ~ Oct | Fall off-season | ✅ |
| Late Nov ~ early Dec | Short pre-holiday lull | ✅ |
| Late Dec (year-end) | Peak-season spike | ⚠️ |
📅 The Day You Book and the Day You Fly Both Affect Price
Even for the exact same flight, when you hit the pay button can swing the price by more than 10%.
Which Day to Book
According to ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation), the airline ticket transaction specialist, its 2025 flight tips report shows that booking on a Sunday can be up to 13% cheaper than booking on a Friday (source: ARC). Sunday night — when working travelers are planning trips and comparing prices most actively — turns out to be an unexpected sweet spot.
Which Day to Fly
- Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday departures = cheaper on average than weekends
- Friday or Sunday departures = the most expensive (working travelers concentrate demand here)
- Late-night/red-eye flights are often 20~30% cheaper than a daytime flight on the same day
💡 5 Ways to Score Cheap Flights
1. Start With Price Comparison Sites
Pull up a metasearch engine like Skyscanner, Kayak, or Google Flights first. They gather 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 Incognito/Private Browsing
There are reports that repeatedly searching the same route can nudge prices up slightly, based on cookie tracking. Right before you pay, it’s safer to double-check in private/incognito mode or a different browser.
3. App-Only Discounts
Skyscanner, Trip.com, and Kayak all run separate app-only discount codes. If the web price is 500,000 won, the app might unlock the same fare for 470,000 won.
4. Consider Layover Flights
Insisting on nonstop flights only drives the price way up. Accept a single layover (a 3~5-hour layover) and the same destination can be 20~40% cheaper.
5. Try Swapping Departure/Arrival Airports
Compare Narita vs. Haneda for Tokyo, Kansai vs. Kobe for Osaka, or Incheon vs. Gimhae for departures to Europe. Just switching one airport is often enough to save more than 100,000 won.
💰 Make the Most of Credit Card and Discount Codes
Credit Card Company Flight Discount Events
Most card issuers run ongoing partner discounts with flight booking sites. Just checking the “Travel/Flights” category on the Shinhan, Samsung, or Hyundai Card website once before you pay can save you 5~10%.
New Sign-Up Discount Codes
Most booking platforms — Trip.com, Interpark Tour, Kayak, and others — offer new-member discount codes. If a family member or friend has an unused account, booking under their name is also a perfectly legal way to save.
⚠️ Common Mistakes and Things to Watch Out For
Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) = automatically cheaper ❌ — Add up baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meal options, and it often ends up pricier than a full-service carrier (FSC). Compare based on the final total, not the base fare.
Checklist Before You Book
- Passport validity — confirm at least 6 months remain (the #1 reason for entry denial)
- Baggage rules — vary by airline, check checked and carry-on limits separately
- Refund/change fees — the cheaper the fare, the more likely it’s non-refundable
- Payment currency — pay in Korean won (KRW) to avoid DCC (dynamic currency conversion) fees
- Airline direct vs. OTA — at the same price, booking direct makes changes and refunds easier
📋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Are Tuesdays and Wednesdays really the cheapest?
On average, yes, based on international flight statistics. That said, not every route or season follows the same pattern, so the surest approach is to compare a range of ±2~3 days around your departure date all at once.
Q2. Which pays off more — earning miles or taking the discount?
For a one-off trip, taking the discount is the better move. If you travel abroad at least once a year, though, building up miles pays off more in the long run.
Q3. Are last-minute clearance fares trustworthy?
These are simply unsold seats on regular airline flights that travel agencies release, so the seat itself is no different. That said, refunds and changes are almost never possible, so only book one if your schedule is already locked in.
🎯 Wrapping Up — The Key Takeaways
For airfare, timing + channel + option choices, combined, are what determine the price. Open a comparison site in private mode on a Sunday night about a month before departure, stack a card issuer discount on top, and you can fly for 20~30% less than usual. That’s enough savings to bump your hotel up a grade or fit in one more local activity for the same money.
Just running through the checklist EasyTicket put together above should make your next overseas trip noticeably easier on your wallet. 🛫