Why the cheapest flight is not always the best choice
When we search for flights, we almost always start by sorting from the lowest price. If you want to spend as little as possible on your trip, that makes sense.
But the cheapest flight is not always the best option, especially if you are travelling by public transport and staying in smaller guesthouses or apartments instead of big hotels. Flight time can easily turn a “great deal” into a stressful, more expensive experience.
In this article, we will look at the details you should check before you book, so you can choose a flight that actually works for your route, your accommodation and your energy levels.
Late arrival
If your plane lands very late in the evening, you might miss the last bus or train going to your accommodation. In that case, you may have to take a taxi or a transfer service. Very often, that one taxi ride costs more than the difference between a cheap flight and a slightly more expensive flight at a better time.
Most guesthouses and apartments have limited check-in hours. If you arrive after 20:00–21:00, the number of available places to stay can drop a lot, or you may need to pay extra for late check-in.
You can, of course, choose a hotel with a 24/7 reception and arrive at any time, if such places exist in your destination. But these hotels are often more expensive than apartments or smaller guesthouses.
Early arrival
Many places let you check in only in the afternoon, often from 14:00–16:00. If your flight lands early in the morning, you might spend half a day walking around with your luggage or looking for a place to leave it.
Sometimes you can ask your host if it is possible to leave your luggage earlier and come back later for check-in. If not, you may need to pay for a luggage storage service at the station or in the city (and if you do, Radical Storage is a handy option because they have many locations).
An early flight also means getting to the airport very early, sometimes in the middle of the night. If you cannot sleep on planes or buses, you will probably start your trip tired and grumpy, which is not the best way to enjoy your first day.
Early departure
Not all airports are easy to reach by public transport, especially in the very early morning. Some airports are far from the city and buses or trains do not run at night. Taxis or private transfers at those hours are usually much more expensive.
Remember that you normally need to be at the airport at least two hours before departure. For a flight at 05:00 or even 07:00, there might simply be no public transport option that gets you there on time.
In that case, it may be cheaper and much less stressful to choose a later flight or even fly from a different airport, instead of paying a high price for a night-time taxi.
Time for a layover
If you fly with a layover, you need to look carefully at how much time you have between flights. In smaller airports, one hour might be enough. In many others, it is too short, especially if:
- your first flight is delayed
- you are travelling with checked luggage
- your flights are not on one ticket (not a protected connection)
In that situation, missing the second flight can become your problem and your extra cost.
Choosing a connection with a longer layover is often much safer. You might even have enough time to walk around the airport calmly, have a proper meal, or in some cases make a short visit to the city instead of running from gate to gate in a panic.
My advice
When you find a cheap flight, do not rush to buy it immediately. Before you pay, always check:
- How will you get from your home to the airport at that time?
- How will you get from the airport to your accommodation?
- Are there buses or trains that match your arrival and departure times?
- What are the check-in hours for your accommodation?
- Will you need to pay extra for late check-in, luggage storage or a taxi?
Sometimes a cheap ticket really is a good deal. But very often, when you add extra transport costs, extra fees and extra stress, that “bargain” is no longer the best option.
Holidays are meant to be enjoyable, not exhausting. By paying attention to flight times and how they fit with public transport and check-in hours, you can avoid a lot of unnecessary problems and start your trip in a calmer, more confident way.
