Taking your family to London? It’s a dream trip waiting to happen! The excitement is building, but finding the perfect flights can feel overwhelming with so many options. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’re here to help you navigate the flight booking process and get your family adventure off to a fantastic start.
Booking Early for Better Deals
Waiting until the last minute for a flight deal can lead to stress and anxiety, especially when you’re trying to book multiple tickets for your family. The key to getting a great deal is to book early. Aim to book your flights up to 10 months in advance! We booked our flights for a family trip to London 8 months ahead of time, and we snagged an amazing price.
Airlines often offer discounted fares when flights are first released, and booking early gives you the chance to track prices and spot a fantastic deal when it pops up. Once you see that perfect price, grab it!
Utilize Comparison Sites for Your Search
When hunting for the best flight deals, take advantage of comparison websites. These sites allow you to compare prices from multiple airlines simultaneously, making the process much easier. We recommend using websites like Booking.com to search for flights. You can choose the airlines you want to compare, along with their fares and flight schedules. We’ve found that searching by arrival and departure times, along with price, is very helpful.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Travelling with kids can naturally limit your travel options. Summer is a popular time to visit London because school is out and the weather is beautiful. However, this popularity also leads to bigger crowds and higher costs.
To avoid the crowds and still enjoy the benefits of summer travel, consider travelling in June. We noticed that the crowds were manageable, even at popular attractions, and we got a fantastic deal on our flights, much cheaper than if we had gone in July or August.
Don’t be afraid to be flexible with your travel days and dates. Shifting your travel plans by a day or two could lead to significant savings.
Don’t Miss Out on Flight Deals
Stay ahead of the game with flight price alerts. Google Flights is a fantastic tool for tracking flight prices and ensuring you don’t miss those amazing deals.
Simply enter your flight information and choose the option to track the flight. You’ll receive email alerts whenever prices change substantially. While you’re tracking your primary choice, you can also create alerts for different dates and locations.
While those alerts are set up, remember to periodically check flight websites for deals because sometimes, the best discounts disappear before an alert even arrives.
Explore Flying from Different Airports
Many great flight deals are for flights departing from major cities. However, you don’t need to live in a major city to get fantastic deals. When searching for flights, include cities near you. If you’re close enough to drive to a major airport, it might be worth the extra travel time, even if you need to stay overnight.
Our family lives in Cleveland, but we have relatives in Toronto, so we often fly from there. When we flew to London, we saved over $3,000 by flying out of Toronto for our family of four.
Consider Alternative Arrival Cities
London is a great city with many flight options, but it’s not the only one. If you find a fantastic deal on a flight to Paris, don’t rule it out. There’s a high-speed train connecting Paris and London, taking just over two hours to arrive.
Don’t Forget to Check Airline Websites
Comparison sites are incredibly helpful for checking fares from multiple airlines, but they don’t always offer the best deals. Airlines often run sales or discounts directly, so it’s worth checking their websites to see what they’re offering.
Loyalty Programs Can Save You Money
Many airlines offer loyalty programs that provide discounts, points, or other perks for booking with them. If you have a favourite airline, consider signing up for their loyalty program. This is a great way to save on travel costs.
Credit card companies also have points or loyalty programs for travellers. Capital One, Chase Bank, and American Express are some of the more prominent ones.
Ensure You’re Passport Ready
When making your travel plans, ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your trip. You’ll also need to check if you require a visa to travel to London. You can find more information online.
Planning Your London Adventure
Booking your flight to London doesn’t have to be a complicated experience. Just follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to planning your family trip like a pro. Once you have your flight booked, it’s time to decide what you want to do and what to pack. We recommend checking out our practical London itinerary, essential packing list, and guide to the best areas to stay in London. Safe travels!
