Hey there, fellow travelers! Are you dreaming of sunny days in Portugal? Ready to explore historic cities, indulge in delicious cuisine, and soak up some rays on the beach? Then you’re in the right place. Booking flights can be a bit of a maze sometimes, but fear not! I’ve got some tips to ensure you snag the best flights to Portugal.
Note: This is my experience when booking from Toronto, Canada to Lisbon, Portugal. Prices, deals, and tips may vary depending on location.
Timing is Key
First things first, let’s talk timing. When do you plan on jetting off to Portugal? It matters more than you might think! I’ve found that booking flights to Portugal about 3 to 4 months in advance usually works like a charm. However, if you’re eyeing up those peak summer months of July and August, or perhaps the festive season in December, it’s wise to start scouting tickets about 6 months ahead. Keep an eye on prices, but don’t feel pressured to make an immediate purchase. After that 4-month mark, prices will tend to rise. Case in point: I bought this year’s summer flights last December for CA$930, but as of the date of this post (May 16, 2024), there are even cheaper options at CA$872 with TAP Portugal. They are both non-stop flights with a carry-on.
Don’t forget to check prices one month out too – sometimes there’s a pleasant surprise waiting for you!
Weekday Wins
Now, let’s talk strategy. When it comes to booking, aim for Tuesdays and Sundays. As for flying out, weekdays are your friends. Avoid the weekend rush (Friday to Sunday) if you can – flights tend to be cheaper midweek. Plus, booking early in the day or late at night might just snag you a better deal. Personally, I keep my eyes peeled every day to catch those sweet price drops. Patience pays off, but if you’re not one for waiting, stick to those golden booking and flying days.
Shop Around
Don’t limit yourself to one airline or booking site! Websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner are my go-to for comparing prices and options. They make it a breeze to see which airlines offer the best deals and which routes suit you best. Both sites offer many filters, including preferred airlines, departure times, number of stops, etc. Google Flights prioritizes the lowest price and fewer stops. They also show you if the prices are higher or lower than usual. Skyscanner gives you the power to filter by overall best, cheapest, or fastest options. Sometimes those budget-friendly flights come with long layovers, but hey, that’s just more time for an impromptu city adventure!
Stay Stealthy
Here’s a sneaky trick for you: use a private or incognito browser when searching for flights. It’s like wearing an invisibility cloak online – websites can’t track your searches, so they can’t bump up prices based on your browsing history. Trust me, I’ve seen prices magically inflate before my eyes when I’ve revisited the same site a few too many times. Save those extra bucks for some Portuguese pastéis de nata instead!
Need help going incognito? Here is an article by Computerworld that covers four major browsers.
The Deal with “deals”
Lastly, a word of caution about those tempting deals. Black Friday, Boxing Day, and other sales events might seem like prime time to score a bargain but don’t fall for the hype blindly. Sometimes those deals aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I’ve seen promo codes that actually bumped up the original price to make it look like you’re scoring a deal. There are times when booking without a discount may actually result in a cheaper price.
Sneaky, right? Remember to double and triple-check those prices before you hit “book”.
So there you have it – my top tips when booking flights to Portugal! Armed with these savvy strategies, you’ll be sipping Vinho Verde in Lisbon or wandering the cobbled streets of Porto in no time.
Bom viagem! 🛫✈️🇵🇹
