✈️ How to Book Cheap Flight Tickets in India (2025 Guide)
With rising airfare prices and travel demand booming post-pandemic, finding cheap flight tickets can feel like a game of luck. But in 2025, smart tech tools and some simple tricks can help you grab the lowest fares on domestic and international flights in India.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to flying smart, saving money, and never paying full price again.
🛫 1. Use AI-Based Fare Prediction Tools
Apps like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Ixigo now offer AI fare prediction. They tell you:
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Whether to book now or wait
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When prices are expected to drop
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Best days to travel cheap
✅ Pro Tip: Set price alerts for your preferred route at least 2–4 weeks in advance.
📅 2. Book on the Right Day & Time
Based on 2025 data trends:
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Cheapest days to book: Tuesday & Wednesday
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Best time to search: Between 12 AM and 6 AM
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Avoid booking: Friday evenings and long weekends
🧠 Why it works: Airlines release unsold inventory mid-week and adjust prices based on demand patterns.
🔍 3. Use Incognito Mode or Different Device
Websites track your visits using cookies. When you search multiple times, prices may go up.
💻 Hack: Always search for flights in Incognito mode or clear your cookies.
📱 Even better: Compare prices on mobile app vs desktop—some platforms offer mobile-only discounts.
💸 4. Use UPI + Wallet Discounts
Many Indian travel platforms now offer instant discounts when you pay using:
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PhonePe, GPay, Paytm (UPI)
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Airtel Money / Mobikwik wallets
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SBI / ICICI / HDFC bank cards
🔖 Look for: Promo codes like UPI200, FLYBIG, NEWUSER, or airline-specific cashback offers.
🌍 5. Be Flexible with Dates & Airports
Instead of flying on fixed dates:
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Try +/- 2 days to find cheapest combinations
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Consider alternate airports (eg. Pune vs Mumbai, Delhi vs Chandigarh)
🛫 Budget tip: Early morning or late-night flights are often cheaper.
📱 6. Top Apps & Sites to Book Cheap Flights (2025)
| Platform | Best For | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ixigo | Budget & predictions | AI alerts, alternate route suggestions |
| MakeMyTrip | Cashback & offers | Wallet deals, combo travel |
| Skyscanner | Price comparison | Flexible search, fare alerts |
| Google Flights | Transparent pricing | Price history, direct booking links |
| Cleartrip | Last-minute flights | Express deals & coupon stacking |
🔄 7. Look for Hidden-City Tickets (Carefully!)
Hidden-city ticketing means booking a flight with a layover in your real destination. For example:
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Book: Bengaluru → Delhi → Lucknow
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Get off at: Delhi (your actual destination)
⚠️ Risk warning: Not allowed by all airlines. Use tools like Skiplagged only for one-way trips without checked baggage.
🎯 8. Use Credit Card Travel Rewards
Some Indian credit cards offer:
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Free flight tickets
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Airport lounge access
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Bonus air miles
💳 Top picks in 2025:
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SBI Card ELITE – complimentary air miles
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Axis Bank Vistara Card – free domestic flight every year
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HDFC Millennia Card – high cashback on flight portals
🧳 9. Book Round-Trip & Group Deals
Booking round-trip flights is usually cheaper than booking two one-way tickets.
💼 Traveling with friends/family? Many platforms offer group discounts or special packages for 3+ bookings.
💬 10. Follow Airlines on Telegram, X, or Instagram
Most airlines now post flash sales on social media first.
✈️ Airlines to follow:
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@IndiGo6E
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@airindia
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@AkasaAir
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@vistara
✅ Also: Join Telegram channels like Flight Deals India, Travel Loot, or Flight Looters.
🧠 Summary: Smart Traveler’s Checklist
✅ Set price alerts
✅ Use incognito mode
✅ Compare across platforms
✅ Pay with UPI or cards for discounts
✅ Follow social channels for sales
✅ Be flexible with dates
✅ Use credit card or wallet rewards