5 Tips – Find Affordable Flights to Israel!
You’ve budgeted for one of our life-changing Israel tours and after finding a great deal on a land package you’re finally ready to start packing your bags. But what about getting there? At times the flight to Israel can cost more than the tour itself! Instead of allowing high airfares to derail your plans, read through our list of money saving tips and learn how to find a flight that won’t break the bank.
Choose the best month:
The cost of your land package may remain steady throughout the year, but flights for certain months can be astronomically higher than others. Summer and December are notorious for having the highest prices on flights. Opting to travel in spring or fall instead can save hundreds of dollars in airfare. The absolute lowest fares can usually be found in February and March, but April, October, and November are not far behind. Ready for a little extra good news? This year flights have been significantly lower than in years past so no matter what time of year you travel, you are likely to find a great deal!
Airports:
Some airports offer lower fares than others. If you live near New York City or Southern California, you are in luck! JFK in NYC and LAX are almost always the cheapest places to fly from. Toronto, Canada also tends to have lower fares. Small airports in the Midwest and Northwest (as well as Alaska and Hawaii) are sure to be among those with highest rates. If you have friends or relatives who live near one of the less expensive airports, it might be a good idea to plan a visit and kill two birds with one stone.
Indirect Flights:
It should come as no surprise that nonstop flights are pricey. Speed and convenience certainly can come at a steep cost. Booking flights that stop in another country before arriving in Israel will be much easier on your wallet. Some of the most budget friendly places to stop are Istanbul, Moscow, Paris, and Frankfurt. Of course, if you decide to book a flight with an international stop, it is important to keep in mind that you need to allow enough time for your layover. Each airport will have their own regulations for legal connection times, but we suggest arranging a layover of 2 hours at the very least.
Book in advance:
Generally speaking, flights are least expensive when booked either far in advance or at the last minute. Booking at the last minute is obviously a gamble because you run the risk of flights being full. The money you could potentially save is definitely not worth it if you miss your tour, so your best bet is to book in advance. Keep in mind that airlines do not allow you to book flights further than 11 months from the return date, so you should start looking 10 to 11 months prior to your trip.
Use your Frequent Flyer miles:
Loyalty to an airline can pay off in a major way once you have accrued enough points. These days most airlines even offer credit cards that allow you to earn miles every time you swipe your card. Even if the airline you are earning miles with does not fly to Israel directly, they most likely have a partner who does so you will still be able to participate in their frequent flyer program.
Book at the beginning of the week:
While we are not quite sure why this is the case, our air department reports that flights are usually a bit lower at the beginning of the week than they are by the end of the week. If you have the time to spare, it is a good idea to watch the fares for a while to see if they are following this pattern.
Of course there are exceptions to every rule, so it is wise to seek assistance from a professional if you do not book flights on a regular basis. Unfortunately, airlines are notoriously unpredictable and there often seems to be very little rhyme or reason behind the rise and fall of fares, but by following these simple guidelines you have the highest chance of finding the lowest price! If you want to remove the hassle of flights altogether while still receiving a great fare, our air department is here to help. Booking a land package and flights through a well-established tour operator such as America Israel Tours means that everything is simplified so all you have to do is show up!
Join America Israel Tours on a journey of a lifetime.