Most people search for a flight the same way: one route, one pair of dates, sort by price, book the top result. That works, but it skips the three things that usually decide what you really pay: how flexible your dates are, which airport you use, and what is actually included in the fare.
These are the checks we run on Aviasales before we buy a ticket. They use the site's standard tools, and every feature we mention is documented in Aviasales' own help pages (linked at the end).
1. What Aviasales Is (and What It Isn't)
Aviasales is a flight search engine, not a travel agency. You enter a route and dates, it searches fares from airlines and online agencies, and when you choose a ticket it sends you to that seller's website to book and pay. According to Aviasales, it doesn't charge a commission on top and shows the prices quoted by the airlines and agencies themselves.
So remember one thing before you book: your contract is with the seller, not with Aviasales. Refunds, date changes, and name corrections are handled by the airline or agency you paid. Aviasales says plainly that it can't make those changes for you. Keep that in mind when you choose who to book with (Step 5).
2. The Routine at a Glance
| Step | What to Do | Where in Aviasales | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check the dates around your trip | Date calendar (cheaper days in green) | A day or two either way can change the fare |
| 2 | Search by city, then compare airports | Search form and Airports filter | Some cities have more than one airport |
| 3 | Turn on the baggage filter | "With baggage only" toggle | Compares the price you will actually pay |
| 4 | Filter layovers and times | Filters panel | The cheapest fare may hide a very long layover |
| 5 | Choose the seller and read the fare rules | "Select ticket" screen | The seller handles refunds and changes |
| 6 | Set a price alert if you are not ready | Price notifications | You hear about drops without searching daily |
3. Step 1: Let the Calendar Show You the Cheaper Days
When you tap the departure or return field, Aviasales opens a calendar. The days with the cheapest tickets are marked in green. Before you lock in your dates, look at the week around them.
- Move one end of the trip first. If your return date is fixed by work or school, try shifting only the departure, then the other way around.
- Search return tickets, not two one-ways, by default. Aviasales' help pages note that a return ticket usually costs less than two separate flights. It is still worth a quick check of one-way prices on routes served by low-cost airlines.
- Don't lean on "cheapest day to fly" rules you read online. In our experience, those rules rarely hold across every route. The calendar shows which days are cheaper for your route, which beats any rule of thumb.
4. Step 2: Search the City, Then Compare Airports
You can search by city name or pick a specific airport. In cities with more than one airport, start with the city so you can see every option, then use the Airports filter to compare them.
A cheaper flight into an airport further from the city isn't always cheaper overall. Before you decide, check how you would get into town from each airport and what that costs in time and money. If you'll need an airport train or a pre-booked transfer, add that to the fare in your head before comparing.
Search Your Route on Aviasales
Open the date calendar first, then turn on the baggage filter before you sort by price.
5. Step 3: Compare the Price With Your Bags Included
This is the step that saves the most frustration. Many fares, especially on low-cost airlines, include only a small carry-on. A ticket that looks cheaper can end up costing more once you add a suitcase.
- Turn on the baggage filter right below the search form ("With baggage only"), or choose "Baggage included" in the filters after you search. In the app, it's under the Baggage tab.
- Read the ticket card. When the seller has shared the allowance, Aviasales shows it on the card. If it only says baggage is included, you'll see the exact size and weight limits on the seller's booking page.
- Add bags before the airport. You can add baggage on the ticket card or while booking on the seller's site. Aviasales warns that paying for bags at the check-in desk can cost more than adding them in advance.
Traveling as a family with one suitcase between you? Aviasales applies the same baggage setting to every passenger in a search. Its suggestion: book everyone with carry-on only, then add one checked bag after purchase, or run two separate searches if both passengers are adults (12 and over).
6. Step 4: Filter for a Trip You Can Actually Live With
The cheapest result is often cheap for a reason. Use the filters to remove the options you would regret.
- Layovers and layover duration: set a maximum number of stops and a maximum connection time.
- Departure and arrival times: useful if you're traveling with children or landing somewhere late at night.
- Airlines and airports: include or exclude specific carriers and airports.
- Watch the symbols: Aviasales marks long layovers with an hourglass and overnight layovers with a crescent moon, so you can spot them without opening every ticket.
Once the list is clean, sort by price. You can also sort by popularity, which helps when several fares are close and you want the option most travelers pick.
7. Step 5: Pick the Seller Carefully and Read the Fare Rules
When you press "Select ticket", Aviasales shows every partner offering that same flight. The prices can differ slightly between sellers, and so can the terms.
- Check the fare conditions. Click the ticket to see the fare rules partners have shared, and use "Change exchange/refund policy" to see which fare types are available. Some fares allow refunds or changes, some charge a fee, and some don't allow either.
- Know who you're booking with. If you buy from an agency, refunds and changes go through that agency, not the airline. Some travelers happily pay a little more to book directly with the airline for that reason. That's a personal call, but make it knowingly.
- Double-check your email address on the seller's form. Aviasales notes that if the email has a typo, your ticket won't reach you and you'll have to contact the seller to get it.
1. Pay the full price upfront with a debit card or a method you trust, and avoid "pay later" or instalment plans that add interest or late fees.
2. Untick add-ons you didn't ask for. Seller checkouts sometimes pre-select extras; only keep what you actually need.
3. Type names exactly as they appear in each passport, then screenshot the confirmation and save the seller's name and booking reference offline.
8. Step 6: Not Ready to Book? Set a Price Alert
If your dates are still a few weeks away and you're not ready to commit, Aviasales can send you a push notification or email when the price for your search drops or rises. It saves you from repeating the same search every morning, and you can book when the price suits you.
Bonus for flexible trips: if you know when you can travel but not where, the low-price map on Aviasales shows fares to many destinations from your city at once. Useful when the fare decides the destination, not the other way around.
9. After You Book: Sort Out Arrival
With the flight confirmed, two small bookings make landing much easier, especially after a long trip.
- Mobile data: an Airalo eSIM can be installed before you leave and switched on when you land, so maps and messaging work in the arrivals hall. Your phone needs to be eSIM-compatible and unlocked, and most plans are data-only, so check Airalo's device list before you buy.
- Getting into the city: Klook lists airport transfers and rail tickets in many countries. Add your flight number to a transfer booking, and read that product's cancellation terms before you pay.
10. Quick Answers
Does Aviasales add a booking fee?
Aviasales says it doesn't charge a commission and shows the prices quoted by airlines and agencies. Always confirm the final total on the seller's payment page, since baggage or extras you add there change the price.
Can Aviasales refund or change my ticket?
No. Refunds and changes depend on your fare rules and are handled by the seller. You'll find the seller's name on your itinerary receipt.
Is the cheapest fare always the best choice?
Not always. Compare it with baggage included, a reasonable layover, a convenient airport, and a seller you're comfortable dealing with if plans change.
Ready to run the routine on your own dates? Start your search on Aviasales, open the calendar first, and set a price alert if the fare isn't right yet.
Aviasales Help: How our service works · How Aviasales works · Finding tickets with baggage · Adding baggage · Returns and exchanges · About Aviasales · Price notifications. Features and screens can change; check the current site before you book.
Planning the whole trip? Read our International Trip Planning Checklist and our Klook trains & transfers guide.