You can get £50 return flights to European hotspot with expert's tip (2025)

Travel lovers searching for cheap flights could benefit from the expert's booking checklist tip

A travel expert has shared tried-and-tested tips for finding cheap flights. The recommendations were shared by Ryan Pearson, Regional Manager for the UK and Ireland at Booking.com.

While some of his advice may not be suitable for everyone — families, for example, might not have the flexibility to adjust their travel dates — many of his suggestions could prove beneficial. Taking a few minutes to explore Booking.com using Ryan's pointers, I found return flights to beautiful European destinations for £60 or less.

Inspired by Ryan, I limited my search to mid-week flights a month from my imaginary departure date. I set my search criteria to journeys departing from London airports in mid-May before returning a week later, and I found bargain trips to several bucket list locations.

For instance, I could fly to Rome and back with Wizz Air for £50.56 (at the time of writing). I could also holiday in Barcelona with Vueling return flights for £58.83, or travel to Bucharest and back with Wizz Air for £50.56.

It's worth mentioning that these flights involved early morning or late-night departures, which could potentially increase your overall costs due to airport transfers. Also, only one personal bag was included in the fare, reports the Mirror.

However, these options could be perfect for those with flexible schedules who don't mind travelling light. Of course, these are just a few examples I found with a quick search.

Whether or not those trips sound like your cup of tea, the expert advice is clear: being flexible with your booking can pay off. As Ryan explained, you can also find deals by utilising loyalty programmes, exploring bundles and shopping around to save on your flights.

Timing is key

"While flight prices can fluctuate throughout the year, for travellers looking for a good deal, it’s helpful to keep timing in mind. It can be best to get in there early to secure your travel date and lock in a good price, however there are often last minute deals a month before departure date," Ryan shared.

Consider mid-week flights

He added: "Consider booking flights that depart mid-week, as you may find lower-price tickets on the least popular days to travel." As Booking.com explained: "Sadly, there’s no single day of the week that is always low cost... But, because airlines operate dynamic ticket prices, the most inexpensive days of the week to fly are the ones with the least customer demand."

Be flexible and set up price alerts

"When booking flights, it’s worth playing around with dates and times to find the most affordable options," said the expert. Explaining how users can see alerts on Booking.com he added: "All logged in Genius members can set up Flight Alerts. When a price changes, users are notified or if we find a better price on alternative dates (+/-3 days), we notify users."

Explore deals and bundles

"Keep an eye out for special deals and bundles which are often advertised throughout the year, for example Black Friday and January Sales," the expert advised.

Consider alternative airports

"When looking for flights, don’t just assume that your nearest major airport is the best option. Regional airports can sometimes offer lower fares, and they might be more convenient too, with shorter security lines and easier parking. It’s always worth using filters to widen your search across multiple airports to see if you can find a better deal," said Ryan.

Travel to off-the-beaten-track destinations

He added: "Travelling to off-the-beaten-path destinations means embracing flexibility, and if you opt for shoulder seasons when flights and accommodation are cheaper, you’re likely to get an authentic and budget-friendly experience. Look for lesser-known gems like Luang Prabang instead of Bangkok, Albania’s Ksamil over Greece’s Santorini, or Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán rather than Costa Rica’s Arenal.”

Utilise loyalty programmes

"Joining programmes like Booking.com's Genius Loyalty Programme can unlock exclusive discounts and perks," Ryan concluded.