Need an excellent travel hack? With flight prices climbing every year, we all want to save money on traveling where we can. With this one app, you can find the best flight deals on the international market from the comfort of your home.
Here’s how you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to find cheaper flights on websites like Kayak and Skyscanner:
- Get a VPN. Based on our tests, NordVPN is the best VPN for flight hunting. It has fast speeds and an extensive server network, allowing you to find cheap flights all over the world.
- Download and install the VPN software on your device.
- Log into the NordVPN app with your account.
- Connect to a server in a different country. Generally, flights are more affordable in mid- and low-income regions.
- Find the best deal by using a flight search engine!
Continue reading the article below for a detailed step-by-step guide on using a VPN to get cheaper flights and more tips to get the best deals!
Finding cheap flights online can be difficult. Luckily, we’ve got the perfect travel hack! With a VPN, you can change your virtual location and score cheaper flight tickets and better deals.
Depending on where you live, you might be paying more for flights compared to other people. Luckily, a VPN lets you change your virtual location to a country with cheaper flights.
Planning a trip soon? Out of the 30+ VPNs we’ve tested, NordVPN takes the win thanks to its fast speeds and airtight security. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can search for the best flight deals completely risk-free. Time to book your next holiday!
How to Get Cheap Flights With a VPN in 2023
Using a VPN to get cheap flights is a straightforward process. When you connect to a VPN server and visit flight comparison sites like Skyscanner, Kayak, or Google Flights, you can see local fares and choose the best deal.
Note:
Before you begin, it’s best to clear your cookies and browsing history. We also recommend using incognito mode to avoid getting tracked.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting cheap flights with a VPN:
- Get a VPN. We used NordVPN to get fantastic deals on flights by connecting to servers in other countries. Moreover, NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can use the VPN for free for a month to book any flights you want.
NordVPNOur choiceDeal Save big with 69% off a two-year subscription + three months free!From$ 2.999.3- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
- Download the NordVPN app. NordVPN is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can also download the mobile app so you can have an iOS or Android VPN to book flights on the go.
- Log into your NordVPN account.
- Now comes the important part! Connect to a server in a country of your choice. Generally, lower-income countries tend to have more affordable flights, but we know from experience that it’s best to try different regions. Just click on the map to connect to a VPN server.
- Head over to your favorite flight-comparison flight (Skyscanner, Kayak, etc.). Time to compare flight fares and book the cheapest flights.
Not satisfied with your flight choices? Keep trying VPN servers in different locations so you can find a better deal!
Which countries have the cheapest flights?
During our testing, we successfully viewed flight deals from different countries using NordVPN. Want to know the cheapest country to book flights from with a VPN? Here are some ideas:
- India
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Portugal
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Turkey
Note:
Keep in mind that the above is not an exhaustive list. Aside from your geographic location, fares can also depend on travel dates and your destination country.
Domestic flights can be a lot cheaper when booking from the same country. You may also get better prices if you book from the region your airline is based in. For example, you can connect to a Swedish VPN server to get cheaper fares with Scandinavian Airlines.
We tried scoring a flight between Atlanta and Mumbai. When we searched from the US without a VPN, the best price was $689 from KLM Royal Airlines. When we did the same after connecting to a NordVPN server in India, the price for the flight was $635.
Wondering which VPN to use to book cheap flights? Have a look at our top 5 below!
The Best VPNs to Book Cheap Flights in 2023
We tested several VPNs to find the best VPN for cheaper flights. The five VPNs below are our top picks. These are some of the fastest VPNs on the market right now, and they’ve all got large server networks, allowing you to compare flight prices in different countries and regions.
1. NordVPN: Best VPN for cheaper flights
NordVPN is the best VPN to get deals on flights, thanks to its extensive server network, fast speeds, and airtight encryption. We didn’t experience any issues when testing NordVPN and trying to find cheaper flights, and we could bounce around between virtual locations quickly and easily.
Why you should choose NordVPN:
- 6000+ servers in 61 countries: NordVPN has servers in some of the cheapest countries for booking flights, including Mexico, Vietnam, and Romania.
- Threat Protection: Compare flight prices on different websites without being tracked. Your data is encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption, and NordVPN blocks malware-infected websites from opening. NordVPN’s ad blocker also keeps annoying ads and pop-ups at bay, which can be rife on some flight comparison sites.
- Run select traffic through your VPN: With NordVPN’s split-tunneling feature, you choose which traffic runs via your VPN. If you only want to use your VPN for booking flights and no other activities, split-tunneling lets you do so.
- Great discounts: NordVPN is a pretty affordable VPN! We got a fantastic 69% discount on our last NordVPN subscription.
During our NordVPN tests, this provider proved itself time and again. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN service risk-free.
Pro Tip:
To limit variation in flight prices, we recommend using incognito mode on your web browser. Keep in mind that this doesn’t hide your location (only a VPN does that!) but it will limit tracking.
2. Surfshark: The best cheap flights VPN
If you’re looking for cheap flights, then you probably don’t want to spend too much money on a VPN, either. Surfshark is the perfect VPN for you if you’re looking for an affordable but premium VPN. It’s one of the most affordable VPNs on the market, and you can use it with an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
Why you should choose Surfshark VPN:
- Server locations in 100 countries: While Surfshark has fewer servers than NordVPN (3200+ servers), it covers a much larger base. You can book cheap flights from India, Pakistan, and Malaysia, as we discovered during our Surfshark tests.
- Keeps zero logs: With Surfshark, you won’t have to worry about your privacy. This no-logs VPN uses RAM-only servers, meaning your data is automatically wiped from its servers. Surfshark’s CleanWeb filter gets rid of ads and keeps you safe on any booking site.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections: You can use one Surfshark account on an unlimited number of devices. This VPN will barely cost you anything if you split the bill with others. Get Surfshark with your friends today and find cheap airline tickets for your next group holiday!
- Top streaming VPN: Another point in Surfshark’s favor is the fact that it’s one of the best streaming VPNs! With a VPN, cheap flights and entertainment are at your fingertips.
This VPN is one of our absolute favorites.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA): Huge server network to search for cheap flights
If you’re looking for a VPN with the largest server network, Private Internet Access (PIA) is the answer! This makes browsing for flight tickets a walk in the park.
Why you should choose PIA:
- thousands of servers in 91 countries: With PIA, you can book cheaper flights from various locations, including Albania, India, and Egypt.
- Great ad-blocker: You won’t have to worry about malicious software slipping through the cracks. We found this feature especially helpful when browsing flight comparison sites that tend to show a lot of ads. Moreover, PIA is a verified zero-logs provider that uses RAM-only servers.
- Beginner-friendly VPN: If you’ve never used a VPN before, PIA is very user-friendly! During our PIA tests, we found its app very intuitive and liked the fact that it lets you switch easily between servers. All the settings are straightforward and easily accessible.
- Affordable subscription plans: PIA subscriptions are very cheap, on par with Surfshark. You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to get a refund if you’re unsatisfied.
We tested PIA to see if all its features worked as they were supposed to. It’s an easy-to-use VPN for cheaper flights!
4. ExpressVPN: Reputable VPN for booking flights
This VPN provider has built a great reputation for itself over the years, and every time we test ExpressVPN, we understand why. With servers in thousands of countries around the world, you can easily find cheap flights on a flight comparison site like Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, and Skyscanner.
Why you should choose ExpressVPN:
- High-end security features: Your location is always hidden when you use ExpressVPN, and your data is protected with military-grade encryption and time-tested VPN protocols.
- Switch between servers easily: With just a single click, you can switch between ExpressVPN servers and compare flight prices on different sites. The automatic kill switch ensures none of your data leaks through when switching between locations.
- 24/7 live chat support: ExpressVPN is a user-friendly VPN that’s easy to use. There’s also a support team available around the clock to answer any questions.
- Short-term subscription plans: While ExpressVPN is not as affordable as other VPN services on this list, it’s one of the few VPNs that gives huge discounts on shorter-term subscription plans. Right now, you can get 49% off.
We highly recommend ExpressVPN for booking your next trip!
5. CyberGhost: Cheap VPN with 11500+ servers
CyberGhost has thousands of servers spread across 100 countries. This makes comparing prices when shopping for cheaper flights as easy as possible.
Why you should choose CyberGhost:
- Budget-friendly VPN: CyberGhost makes saving money on flights even cheaper! You get a lot of bang for your buck, with subscriptions going as low as $ 2.03/month. You can even make use of the 45-day money-back guarantee. Plenty of time to book your next trip!
- Verified no-logs VPN: This VPN uses the most trusted VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. It also has a strict no-logs policy, keeping your data private at all times.
- Built-in tracker blocker: If you make use of the Private Browser feature, you get a built-in ad and tracker blocker. On top of that, there’s a split-tunneling feature.
- Easy-to-use app: There’s a CyberGhost app for every major operating system, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. When testing CyberGhost, we could also use its software on seven devices at once.
Want to read more about CyberGhost? Check out our full experience in this CyberGhost review. Ready to go on holiday? Make use of CyberGhost’s 45-day free trial to find the best deals today!
How Does a VPN Help You Get Cheap Flights?
With a VPN, flights are easier to come by. You can scan the web for the most affordable flight prices across different countries. But how does pricing work, and why do prices for the same flights vary?
How does airline ticket pricing work?
The websites you visit, including budget airlines and flight comparison sites, collect data to profile you and determine your interests. To do so, they track your IP address and install cookies on your browser.
Airlines, in particular, will use algorithms to determine their flight prices. This is done using vast amounts of customer data. While airlines deny they use algorithm-based pricing, many believe it’s a common practice.
Ticket prices are also influenced by demand and the country you’re in. In more affluent countries, for example, a plane ticket price tends to be much higher, while cheaper prices are more common in other regions.
The solution? Use a VPN
A VPN hides your IP address, allowing you to spoof your location and appear like you’re somewhere else in the world. You can virtually jump between locations and compare prices for the same flight from different countries.
With a VPN, finding cheaper flight tickets and browsing airline websites becomes a piece of cake. But there are other benefits to using a VPN, too:
- Save money on other online purchases: With a VPN, you can unlock discounts when shopping online.
- Keep your private data safe: A VPN protects your internet traffic from third parties like hackers, websites, and your internet service provider (ISP), who may try to monitor your online activities. All your data gets routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel.
- Streaming: One of the best benefits of using a VPN is that you can unblock streaming services that are otherwise not available to you. For example, you can access Disney Plus or unblock Netflix from anywhere.
- Improve your online security: The best VPNs have malware detection and ad blockers. When looking for flights online, you won’t accidentally click on a malicious link or be bombarded with ads all the time.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Find Cheap Flight Tickets?
While there are some good free VPNs out there, we don’t recommend using a free VPN to find and book cheap flight tickets.
You need fast internet speeds and access to a vast server network to scour the web for cheap flight tickets. Unfortunately, a free VPN for flights isn’t likely to live up to the task.
These are some reasons why a free VPN may be unsuitable for finding cheap flights:
- Small server network: Most free VPNs have a limited server network, and often these servers are not in locations where you can get cheap flight tickets.
- Data caps: Most free VPNs have data caps. You may need to browse various websites for extended periods to get cheaper flights, and data caps prevent you from doing this.
- Risky software: Many free VPNs contain malware or may expose you to malware as they don’t come with malware protection and ad blockers like premium VPNs.
With a premium VPN like NordVPN, you get access to a massive server network, malware protection, and an ad blocker. Also, there are no data caps or bandwidth limits.
Note:
In most countries, using a VPN is perfectly legal. Some countries, like China, Russia, or Iran, however, heavily restrict or even forbid the use of VPNs. NordVPN has obfuscated servers that mask your VPN traffic, making it difficult for anyone to detect that you’re using a VPN. However, obfuscated servers don’t make VPN use in these countries any less illegal.
Other Tips to Help You Get Cheaper Flights
It can be difficult to find affordable flights, especially as ticket prices increase across countries. Besides using a VPN, here are some tips to help you dig up cheaper plane tickets.
1. Clear your cookies and browsing history
Cookies are pieces of data stored in your browser by the websites you visit. Flight booking sites and flight search engines use cookies to track and analyze your online behavior.
Here’s how you can clear your cookies and prevent flight sites and search engines from tracking your browsing habits:
- On Chrome: Go to Menu > More tools > Clear browsing data. In the “Time range” section, select “All time” to clear all your cookies. Tick the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” Then click on “Clear data.”
- On Firefox: Go to Menu > History > Clear recent history. Under “Time range to clear,” select Everything. Under History, tick the boxes next to Cookies, and click “Clear Now.”
- On Safari: Go to the menu, and click on Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Select the websites > Remove or Remove all.
2. Use a flight search engine or comparison site
Wondering where to book cheap international flights? We recommend you check flight comparison sites or use a flight search engine when searching for cheap flights or error fares.
On these sites, you’ll get an overview of the flight prices from different budget airlines. Below, we’ve compiled our favorite flight comparison sites to find cheaper flight tickets:
| Booking site | Features |
|---|---|
| Skyscanner | Lets you view flights in different currencies and book hotels, cars, etc. |
| Kayak | Allows for browsing and comparing plane ticket prices for the same flight on a digital map |
| Kiwi | Filters flights by carrier, country, departure and arrival times, etc. |
| Priceline | Provides good bundle deals for flights, car rentals, and accommodations |
| Momondo | Provides a large comparison database that lets you find the cheapest flight ticket |
| Expedia | Lets you bundle bookings for flights and accommodation |
Pro Tip:
Check multiple sites before booking since different sites can offer different rates even for the same flight.
3. Opt for flexible travel plans to save a lot of money
Not bound by holidays or set on a particular travel destination? You can save a lot of money on your next flight if your time, date, and destination are flexible. Here are two tips to keep in mind when looking for the cheapest flight rates:
- Travel off-season: In the off-season, ticket prices tend to be a lot cheaper than during holidays or summer. Flying at less convenient times (like early in the morning or late at night) can also make a big difference.
- Don’t have a set destination: If you’d like to be surprised, most airline comparison sites have an option that shows you the cheapest location to fly to in a certain period. This can be a fun, spontaneous way to travel and save money on airline tickets!
Pro Tip:
Know when to book! There’s something known as the “Prime Booking Window” for flights. For international travel, it’s recommended you book your ticket 2.5 to 6 months in advance. For domestic flights, you’ll get the best deals between 20 to 115 days before departure.
Final Thoughts: Get Huge Discounts on Flights With NordVPN
With a VPN, you can save hundreds of dollars on flights when buying tickets online. A VPN also protects you against malicious software and blocks ads, making online shopping a safer and more enjoyable experience.
NordVPN is the best VPN for cheaper flights. It allows you to change your location with one click and find cheaper flight prices across the web. The NordVPN mobile app works just as well when you’re on the go.
Take advantage of the NordVPN free trial and book flight deals for the next 30 days at no cost. Enjoy your next flight!
Besides ticket prices, you can also save money on subscriptions and score incredible discounts with a VPN. Read the articles below for more information:
- Save Money on Your Netflix Subscription
- How to Save Money on Subscriptions With a VPN
- How to Get a YouTube Premium Discount and Save Money
Have any questions about using a VPN to find and book cheap flights? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers! Leave us a comment if we haven’t answered the question on your mind.
Airlines base their pricing on several factors, including location. As a result, flight prices tend to be cheaper in some countries. A VPN allows you to change your virtual location and find the most affordable flight tickets from anywhere in the world.
We don’t recommend using a free VPN to book cheap flights. To get the best deals, you need a VPN that has servers in several locations worldwide. Additionally, you want a VPN that keeps malware and ads at bay. Free VPNs have a limited number of servers, lack security features, and have a daily or monthly data cap.
A VPN offers many advantages when traveling:
- It keeps you safe on public Wi-Fi.
- It keeps your data hidden from third parties and allows you to browse the web anonymously.
- It protects you from malicious software.
- It allows you to access geo-restricted content on streaming sites and other platforms.
It’s unclear why airline prices differ. However, we know that fares are based on several factors, including your location, the distance of the flight, the time of the year you’re booking, and so much more. Some airlines are also known to target “budget” travelers.
Generally, low- to mid-income countries tend to have cheaper flight tickets. During our tests, we connected to VPN servers in Malaysia, India, Portugal, Turkey, South Africa, Mexico, Thailand, and Romania to find more affordable flights.
