Cheap flights

You'll see a list of all the flights leaving from your chosen airport on that date, in order of cheapest to most pricey.

This is a great option if you can't be flexible with dates, but you're up for trying somewhere totally different.

Don't be turned off by places you've never considered before. Do a bit of reading online and you might find it has all the sun, sea, sand and everything else you're looking for.

Skyscanner lets you filter by flights with lower CO2 emissions. This is worth doing, along with offsetting the emissions of your flight to reduce your carbon footprint.

As with virtually everything you purchase, shopping around and doing your research is the best way to find great deals.

The good news is there are loads of sites that make it quicker and easier to compare the prices of flights.

Try using sites such as Expedia to look for a good deal on a bundle (flights and a hotel, for example). Do this before checking airline websites to see if it works out cheaper to book separately.

Momondo provides a graph that clearly indicates the cheapest days to fly around the dates you've searched for. You can also alter the search to focus on the quickest route if that's more of a priority to you.

There are some specialist student travel agencies that have a good reputation for getting students where they want to go, for less. Student Universe is a good shout for students and anyone under 30.

Booking with Student Universe or other travel agencies can also lead you in directions you might not have considered. Plus, there are loads of student-focused holidays that offer activities, social events and, most importantly, student discounts!

Although, if you do visit a high-street travel agency, don't be talked into booking anything before you're sure. Remember they're essentially trying to make a sale, so ensure you're 100% convinced before agreeing to anything.

In fact, you could save money by comparing the quotes from these agencies with any deals you find online. Do plenty of research before parting with your cash.

Don't think it's possible to travel the world without it costing the earth? Find out how this woman went on 10 holidays in a year for half of the average Brit's annual vacation spend.

The way forward is to book early – even up to a year in advance. Seats on flights tend to be cheaper when they're first released (typically about a year before the actual flight, but sometimes earlier). So, get online as soon as flights come on sale.

This is especially true if you're travelling during the school holidays, or if your trip coincides with a big event in the area you're visiting (like St Patrick's Day in Ireland). These prices will rocket quickly, so get in before the crowds do.

Costs may dip again before rising in the last few days before the flight departs. However, that's probably not a risk worth taking as there's a chance that prices won't dip at all (if it's a popular flight), or that it'll sell out before you get your ticket.

However, if you're a bit more flexible, it's definitely worth checking out sites like lastminute.com. They post flights that drop in price as the departure date approaches.

If you want to know whether it's worth leaving it late, the Hopper app is for you. Just enter where you'd like to fly from/to, and it'll show you when prices are likely to rise and fall, based on the prices of millions of flights over time. Ideal!

Last-minute flights aren't always cheaper – and last-minute skiing trips are almost never cheaper. Check out our guide to saving money on skiing trips for more tips.

Cheap Flights

Many promotional price points come with hidden costs and they're not a welcome surprise. From air taxes to baggage fees or seat selection – there's a whole host of things that may increase the price.

Make sure you always check what's being included in your purchase before clicking your pennies away. Check if your ticket includes any unnecessary extras – if so, look for cheaper flight tickets that suit you better.

And try to travel light if you can. Hand luggage is usually* free. But don't get stung by weight and dimension specifics – weigh and measure your bag before arriving!

Also, there are loads of tricks you can use to keep the cost of your ticket down. For example, you could wear multiple clothes and carry things in your pockets.

Of course, budget flights can still be good value, even with some added costs. But, just don't get too excited straight away. Consider all the potential costs, and make sure you don't get charged extra at the airport.

*Ryanair changed their policy and you now have to pay to take a small wheelie suitcase on board. However, a backpack is still free if it fits the required dimensions. Check to see if the airline you're flying with has a similar policy.

Staying as anonymous as you can while searching for tickets is one of the key ways to get cheap flights.

Flight prices fluctuate depending on demand. Airlines use data on how many people are searching for, and buying, tickets to work out how to price them.

So, you might find that when you've had your eye on a particular flight and have been checking back, the price increases. The airline knows you're likely to buy it, so they're trying to squeeze a few more bucks out of you.

To avoid this, try deleting your search cookies. Then, see what happens to the price once your browser history has been wiped.

Another option is to search in an incognito browser (the option is there when you go to open a new tab or window). This way, your location and identity are concealed from airlines, so shouldn't affect the prices displayed.

Taking out a credit card as a student comes with risks, so do plenty of research if you're thinking about getting one.

If you do decide to get one, it's worth keeping in mind that credit cards offer Section 75 protection. This means that, if you've made a purchase that costs over £100 and up to £30,000 and something goes wrong on the seller's side, you can claim your money back.

Debit cards don't offer quite the same protection. So, as long as you can pay it off in full and on time, it could help to use a credit card to book holidays.

Credit cards can also be better for spending abroad and might offer better exchange rates than debit cards. Again, do lots of research before deciding on a card to use.

Plus, you can earn air miles with certain credit cards, and many offer you cashback on your flights. This means if you spend a bit more on your flight, you might see some return.