Planning a trip during the festive season can be expensive this year, thanks to strong demand and higher operating costs for airlines. According to a report by The Economic Times, average one-way fares for travel between September 1 and November 10 rose 68% year-on-year on the Delhi-Hyderabad route, while Mumbai-Kolkata fares increased 51%. Fares on Delhi-Goa and Mumbai-Bengaluru routes were up 39% and 37%, respectively.
The rise comes as airlines grapple with higher aviation turbine fuel () costs and fewer flight options on some routes. With the rising cost of flights, one might consider taking a train to visit their hometowns or take a holiday during or Dhanteras. But chances are, train tickets are all sold out.
Hence, booking at the right time can be beneficial for travellers. Wondering how to find cheaper flights or train tickets this festive season? Cleartrip recommends planning ahead, tracking flight fares and using flexibility in travel dates to find cheaper tickets.
Booking flights two to three months before travel is generally advisable, according to .
Early booking can help travellers secure lower fares before demand rises closer to the departure date. It can also offer a wider choice of flight timings and seats, particularly on popular routes during festivals.
The company also offers a domestic flight date-change option for its Elite loyalty members at ₹9. For international travellers, it provides Visa Rejection Cover at no additional cost, with a full refund if the visa is rejected, subject to terms and conditions.
Travellers should check the eligibility criteria and terms of such offers before booking.
Instead of booking immediately after finding a fare, travellers are recommended to compare prices across different dates and evaluate the fare.
The company offers a price trends feature that uses pricing data from the previous 30 days to indicate whether a fare is lower than usual, typical or higher than average, helping travellers decide whether to book immediately or explore other dates.
However, historical fare trends are not a guarantee that prices will fall further. During peak travel periods, fares may rise as seats become unavailable. On the other hand, last-minute seats may see low prices as well.
Travellers who can adjust their departure date by a day or two may have a better chance of finding lower fares.
According to Cleartrip, early-morning and mid-week flights tend to cost less than flights on more popular travel dates and timings.
Airlines offer different fare categories, including lower-priced options that may exclude checked baggage or impose limits on baggage allowances.
Travellers carrying only cabin baggage could consider such fares to reduce the upfront ticket cost.
However, passengers should check what is included in the fare before making any purchases. A low-priced ticket may not necessarily be the cheapest option after baggage, seat selection and other fees are added.
