Does anyone know any good sites for cheap flights that are legit?
Posted by Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 69 comments
Thinking of going to Japan and all the flights during June-July are at least 1,000 dollars.
CloutDraculaCo@reddit
FlightGlitch
Cool_Perry2025@reddit
Google flights is the best of the best imo
Plenty-Shelter654@reddit
This is exactly it. People overcomplicate flight searching so much but it really just comes down to checking a couple of places and not being lazy about it. Flightsfinder has become my go-to for that second check half the time the prices match but every now and then you catch something worth it. Good advice honestly.
TheDryShaving94@reddit
I usually check Google Flights and Skyscanner first, then compare prices across a few other sites. I’ve used FlightsFinder a couple of times too and it’s been pretty useful for seeing different options in one place. Not always the cheapest, but worth checking alongside the others.
unusedconflict@reddit
I’m usually wary of those random too good to be true deals that pop up on social media. It’s safer to use trusted aggregators instead. I tend to start with Flightsfinder since it sources listings from reputable booking platforms, letting you compare prices with confidence and without second-guessing the site’s legitimacy.
Vane1st@reddit
I always get nervous about those random "too good to be true" prices you see on social media. It’s better to stick to verified aggregators. I usually start with Flightsfinder because it only pulls from established booking sites, so you can compare prices safely without worrying about whether the site is legit or not.
defenselesscabal@reddit
I always get nervous about those random "too good to be true" prices you see on social media. It’s better to stick to verified aggregators. I usually start with Flightsfinder because it only pulls from established booking sites, so you can compare prices safely without worrying about whether the site is legit or not.
Redas17@reddit
I personnaly use https://letsflyto.com
kikok344@reddit
A thousand bucks to Japan in summer is pretty normal now. I usually cross check Google Flights with Skyscanner to see the full picture and finding routes through less obvious hubs. No site really beats peak season demand, they just help you compare.
Wide-Cartographer579@reddit
I usually check Google Flights and Skyscanner too, but I’ll add Kiwi into the mix since it sometimes shows weird route combos others miss.
Mikhea@reddit
100% agree. Im in the east coast and would consider $1k a steal. Summer isnt peak timing due to the heat and humidity, people want to go during the spring (cherry blossoms) and fall (autumn foliage) so it wont get much cheaper than this unfortunately.
Substantial-Layer719@reddit
For cheap flights to Japan in summer, $1,000 is honestly pretty standard. Google Flights, Skyscanner, Omio good for comparing.
Check flights through Taipei, Seoul, or Manila since connecting flights can be significantly cheaper than direct options.q3
Agile-Secret3034@reddit
I usually start with Skyscanner. Not because it’s magical, just because it’s easy to compare a bunch of options fast.
What I personally do is search there, then click through to the airline or seller from their platform to finish booking. I don’t just google the seller separately. Maybe it’s in my head, but I feel a bit safer going through an aggregator with a big reputation.
Also, sometimes the prices actually differ slightly depending on how you land on the seller’s page. I’ve seen cases where the deal shown through Skyscanner was better than what popped up when I searched the same site directly.
screechymeechydoodle@reddit
I’ve noticed that price difference thing too. Sometimes it’s tiny, but sometimes it’s like $20-40 cheaper depending on the route you take to the checkout.
marjaasoup@reddit
Yeah, and sometimes it flips the other way around. I’ve had cases where clearing cookies or switching devices changed the price slightly.
Lonely_Noyaaa@reddit
I’ve noticed that too. Makes me think there’s some dynamic pricing or tracking involved.
mundane--alternative@reddit
That’s pretty much my workflow too. I’ve noticed that sometimes the difference isn’t even about price, but about fare class details.
Through aggregators I’ve occasionally seen slightly better baggage or refund terms than when I searched manually.
EnvironmentalDot9131@reddit
Totally get the “feels safer” part. When something goes wrong, having that extra layer between you and some random ticket reseller feels less stressful.
mugheeszahid48@reddit
Totally agree. Especially if it’s a seller you’ve never heard of before.
AndreiaVenturini@reddit
Been booking this way for years. Never had a major issue, but I still always read the cancellation terms carefully before paying.
ProfessionalLast4311@reddit
Google Flights to check if theres anything obviously cheap, Skyscanner if im flexible on where to go. And then honestly for anything in Europe or the US northeast corridor, I check Omio because a 4-hour train for €25 often beats a €60 flight plus €30 in airport transfers.
Neat-Agency-8653@reddit
ZipAir can get you flights to Tokyo for a few hundred, but you have to depart from one of a few specific cities.
Adventurous-Ad-6796@reddit
Yes, comparison sites are good for checking prices, but I usually book where the final cost makes sense. I found Travelxp while searching for cheap flight tickets, and you won't believe they are legit and have transparent pricing with up to 15% off using an SBI credit card.
SREEJON_X7@reddit
Yes, there are quite a few legit sites out there for cheap flight tickets, but the key is knowing which ones are actually reliable and not just showing unrealistic prices.
What I usually do is start with flight comparison sites to get a rough idea of fares. They’re good for checking trends, but I don’t always book there. Over time, I’ve learned that the final price and booking experience matter just as much as the initial deal.
Recently, while looking for the best flight deals, I came across Travelxp, and it worked out well for me. The prices were genuine, and what made the difference was the additional savings through 15% off with my SBI credit card, which brought the overall cost down without any hidden surprises.
A few general tips that might help:
Also, make sure the platform you choose has secure payments and proper customer support.
From my experience, if you want a legit site where you can confidently book cheap flight tickets, Book with Travelxp is worth checking out. It felt reliable, transparent, and hassle-free, which is honestly what most travellers are looking for.
younesfaid@reddit
For japan i’d say kiwi, skyscanner, google flights. Kiwi sometimes shows weird but cheaper options.
Dillonismydad@reddit
For japan i’d say Kiwi, skyscanner, google flights. Kiwi sometimes shows weird but cheaper options.
CharmerSpiceIndy@reddit
Use Scanner or call 1-844-578-1726.
Confident_Spring6785@reddit
You can find Cheap flights by using websites like Google Flights 𝟣-𝟪𝟨𝟨-𝟥𝟪𝟧-𝟨𝟣𝟣𝟣, Kayak, and Skyscanner, along with being flexible with your travel dates and destination. To secure the best deals, make use of price tracking tools, explore nearby airports, and compare various airlines.
Dear-Aspect-6969@reddit
You can find cheap flights by using sites like Google Flights ,Kayak, and Skyscanner, and by being flexible with your travel dates and destination. For the best deals, try price tracking, check nearby airports, and compare different airlines.
Yatharth007Pathak@reddit
You can find cheap flights by using sites like Google Flights 𝟣-𝟪44-684-3241, Kayak, and Skyscanner, and by being flexible with your travel dates and destination. For the best deals, try price tracking, check nearby airports, and compare different airlines.
ridingpiggyback@reddit
Google flights
Pristine_Remote2123@reddit
From your extreme remote location that is a cheap option!
Ashamed_Let_1703@reddit
If you’re flying out of Philly/NYC, check Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak those are the most reliable for finding legit cheap fares.
Set up price alerts, try flexible dates (mid-week is usually cheaper), and look at nearby airports like JFK/EWR or even flying into Osaka instead of Tokyo. If you see a good fare on an OTA, always double-check the airline’s own site before booking.
ExtraAd7611@reddit
Fly offpeak? If you will accept any seat and don't have baggage, you can fly next week from San Francisco to Tokyo for $283 each way on Zip Air.
valeyard89@reddit
~$1000 to Japan is pretty standard fare, it's been that price for awhile. It's almost always been cheaper to connect through Japan than disembark there. And Japan is a popular destination right now.
cbunn81@reddit
I'm from Philadelphia and currently live in Japan. Most years, I make a trip back to see family. So perhaps my experience will be useful to you.
Before COVID, you could sometimes get a roundtrip flight NYC-TYO for less than US$1000. Often this would be on a Chinese carrier, with a layover in Beijing or Shanghai. But since COVID, I haven't seen any of those flights available. Also, things like fuel costs and inflation generally have added to the cost of flights. So I've never seen a flight for less than that in the last few years. And actually, prices are often above US$2000 when flying with a nicer airline (JAL, ANA, etc.) or when going at a more peak time, like the holidays.
So I think getting a flight for less than US$1000 is not going to happen. But there are still some things you can do to try to minimize cost.
Others have mentioned Skyscanner and Google Flights. Those work well for comparison purposes. You can also set up alerts with your desired itinerary, dates, etc.
Note that you should always book through the airline itself. Never book through a third-party site. If you have any issues, you want to be able to contact the airline directly and have them work it out. Go check out the r/flights sub for plenty of horror stories from people who didn't follow this advice.
There are still some lower-cost carriers running routes, like Asiana. When I did a quick check with Skyscanner, they were the cheapest at US$1100 roundtrip for JFK-NRT via ICN July 7 to July 21.
You might also sometimes find cheaper fares through split-tickets. That is, flying with one carrier from NYC to some layover location, then flying with a second carrier from that layover location on to TYO. Or maybe even more than one layover. But I would advise against this. First, these are usually booked through third-party booking sites, which I've already mentioned a bad idea. But even if you book them directly, they are on separate tickets. So if something happens to delay the first flight such that you're late for the second, the second carrier is under no obligation to rebook your ticket to another flight. It's a big gamble. Also, this probably means long layovers. But then you spend a good chunk of your vacation in airports and on airplanes instead of at your destination. NYC to TYO direct is around 14 hours. I've seen itineraries that take more than 24 hours to make that trip with multiple layovers. If your time is valuable to you, you'll avoid these.
Speaking of decreasing the travel time, you should fly out of NYC (any of the three airports). There are no direct flights to Japan from PHL. And few to Asia. So you'll probably have to connect through another place in North America, like Toronto, Chicago, or Dallas. In my experience, flights in and out of these airports are much more likely to be delayed than those in and out of Asian hubs.
Lastly, you do know that the average temperature in Japan during June and July is about on par with the surface of the sun, right? Not to mention the humidity. If you have any flexibility here, I highly recommend going in the spring or fall.
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the advice! Will definitely consider going another time then.
JiveBunny@reddit
Ah, memories of going for £250 return from the UK on Aeroflot in 2018....
Those Chinese carrier flights still operate from Europe, I wonder if the current political tensions between China and the US have made them cut those routes. How did you find flying on them? I'm always tempted to impulse-book when they pop up...
cbunn81@reddit
It's been years, so my experience may no longer be accurate.
I've flown with Air China (not to be confused with Taiwan's China Airlines), China Eastern, and China Southern. They were all okay. Nothing fancy, but still decent. Service was professional but not particularly friendly. I'd probably put them on the same level as where American Airlines are now (not where they used to be many years ago). The biggest downside is that you have to transit through China. And it's even worse there than some US airports.
I've also flown several of the other long-haul Asian carriers, such as JAL, Singapore Airlines, EVA, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, etc. I would say they're all good, especially when it comes to service. Much better than most US-based carriers in my experience. But flight quality can sometimes depend on what plane you get. A while back I flew on the flagship A380 with Korean Air and that was fantastic. JAL does tend to run some older aircraft, but they've been rolling out some new B787s that are great, especially in business class.
Lately, I've been sticking with JAL. They tend to get all the important things right, like scheduling and on-time performance. I did a code share with AA last year and on the return, there was some issue causing the flight to be cancelled and they had to move my flights all around. And JAL has regular flights from where I am in Japan to Tokyo. Plus they've got washlets in the aircraft toilets. Can't beat that.
And if you're coming from Europe, I've heard great things about Finnair, though I haven't flown with them myself.
JiveBunny@reddit
Last time I went was with JAL (both long-haul and some internal flights) and I think it's spoilt me for other airlines, to be honest. Booked it as part of a package deal with BA (flights there and back, and hotel for part of the trip) before the fuel costs were due to rise so got a very good deal, but the cost now is a bit high for me to personally justify for a fourth trip back, so I've been keeping an eye on the airlines you mention, especially as some of them fly from an airport much closer to where I live than most airlines serving east Asia.
Honestly, as long as I get to where I need to go, with my luggage, more or less on time, and they give me some sort of food on the way to keep me going, I'm not too fussy. I normally read on the plane so don't care that much about wifi or entertainment if I'm flying for half to a third of the price. If I can handle Sheremetevyo then Chinese airports should be fine, right?
cbunn81@reddit
I've also been spoiled by JAL. On a recent flight, I had enough miles accrued to get upgraded to business class. Oh, it was glorious. A lie-flat seat so I could actually sleep and no one to crawl over to get to the restroom. Going back to economy afterward was not fun.
"More or less on time" is the key thing. That AA code share with the cancelled flight meant I didn't make the flight back home after arriving in Tokyo late. So I had to stay at the airport hotel. Initially the JAL agent was refusing to pay for it, but after making my case, they obliged. And there have been other latenesses and mixups in the past on US carriers that have soured me.
I've been pretty impressed with the reliability and service of most Asian carriers. Though Cathay Pacific did screw me over once. I had a choice of flying back to Japan out of either JFK on a B777 or from EWR on the (at the time) new A350. I figured the airport dropoff would be easier at EWR and I'd have a chance to check out the new plane. But apparently the pilot got sick and they couldn't find someone else in the area who was also qualified on that plane. So the flight was delayed until the next day. And then even on the next day, it was progressively delayed over and over. Part of it was that they were refilling the water tanks, but there was a leak and it was pouring out all over the front landing gear, icing it up. What a comedy of errors that was.
I've never flown through Sheremetevyo. But yeah, you'll be fine. It's just that security can be a pain, and you have to go through it even for a transfer. When I went through Beijing, they had me take just about everything out of my bag. I get things like laptops and cameras, but they had me remove some loose change and a couple AA batteries.
goldiegoldthorpe@reddit
The only people booking flights a year in advance are people who care more about dayes and planning than prices. A business booking for a conference, for example. Prices are never cheap this far out.
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Thank you
Sufficient-Cat-5202@reddit
Do you NEED to go during the summer? That’s gonna be the biggest reason it’s that expensive
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Hi yes unfortunately we do because the people I’m traveling with get off of school during that time
JiveBunny@reddit
It's also really not a great time to visit because it's incredibly hot and humid, to the point that it will affect your day to day activities.
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Might have to look at other countries to visit then instead
earl_lemongrab@reddit
If it's a common enough route, Google Flights will show you if pricing is high, average, or low based on history. More importantly you can set it to alert you on price changes for your search parameters.
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Thank you 😊
Useful_Context_2602@reddit
Always book flights directly with the airlines. It's a lesson you'll learn if you don't
Maltempest@reddit
Skiplagged, not 5 hours ago got a $167 round trip from DFW to ATL , my Uber will be more for the 2 trips to my dad's house and back to the airport.
OneTravellingMcDs@reddit
Atlanta, Japan?
Maltempest@reddit
$752 Oct 21 - 23, yep it's ugly, thought, layovers and such.
JiveBunny@reddit
So your flight there is going to take two days? What route are you taking? That's astonishingly cheap but not sure if I could handle using two days of annual leave sitting in airports...
Maltempest@reddit
I'm using this as an example of budget travel.
JiveBunny@reddit
I wasn't asking rhetorically, I'm genuinely interested how you've configured your trip to manage to get that price. I see a lot of cheap flights to Japan from the UK that have a long layover in Beijing, but have never thought about trying to put together anything more convoluted than that!
BelieveMyOwnEyes@reddit
I browse Going,Hopper, and Google Flights… but after hearing dozens of cautionary tales I always book directly with the airline. Don’t give your money to anyone but the airline or an official travel agent (human, not like Booking or Expedia). Most of the other options make it difficult to change things when your itinerary requires it(and it will change, inevitably. There are no “if”s about it).
Akash_nu@reddit
Google Flights is your best bet to find cheaper flights with all their search options. If you’re flexible on dates then you may get super lucky.
Allwingletnolift@reddit
Skyscanner
OneTravellingMcDs@reddit
You are looking too early. Try again next year.
enigmaticsince87@reddit
I mean, Skyscanner?
A_britiot_abroad@reddit
Skyscanner and Google flights
anothercar@reddit
I have no idea what country and city you’re based in.
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Hi sorry I’m based in the East Coast around Philadelphia and New York
anothercar@reddit
$1000 is a great price to cross a continent and a huge ocean
Altruistic_Brick1730@reddit
That would be 1000 round trip, which is what op is trying to avoid
anothercar@reddit
I didn’t read OP’s post that way. Seems like you could read it either way. OP said thanks though, so I’m guessing my interpretation was right
sandefurian@reddit
Lol huge life hack, cut price in half by purchasing one way tickets!
Sea-Feeling-2155@reddit (OP)
Thank you!