Ever felt like flight prices change every time you check? One minute, you see an affordable fare, but after a few refreshes, the price skyrockets. Annoying, right? Well, here’s a secret savvy travelers have been using to beat fluctuating flight prices: a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
With a VPN, you can easily change your virtual location and score cheaper flights by accessing region-specific deals. In this guide, we’ll explain how to use a VPN to get cheaper flights, why it works, and how to use it to start saving today. Plus, we’ll highlight two of the best VPNs on the market—NordVPN and PureVPN—to help you make an informed choice (affiliate links included).
What Is a VPN, and How Does It Work?
A VPN is a tool that hides your real IP location and routes your internet traffic through servers in different locations worldwide. Simply put, it tricks websites into thinking you’re browsing from a different country, allowing you to unlock region-specific pricing cheaper than what you’d see from your actual location.
For example, booking a flight from the U.S. might show you one price, but if you use a VPN to appear as though you’re in another country, say Mexico or India, you could see a much lower fare for the same exact flight!
Why You Should Use a VPN to Find Cheaper Flights
It’s no secret that airlines and booking platforms adjust prices based on your location. For travelers in countries with a stronger economy, like the U.S., flight prices tend to be higher. But with a VPN, you can change your virtual location and access cheaper flight prices from countries where tickets are priced lower.
Think of it as window shopping for flights from different storefronts around the world—all without leaving your couch. And trust me, using a VPN for flight bookings is easier than you might think.
How to Find Cheaper Flight Tickets Using a VPN
Ready to unlock better flight deals? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how you can use a VPN to land those bargain fares.
1. Sign Up for a VPN Service
First, you’ll need to sign up for a trusted VPN service. I highly recommend NordVPN for its fast speeds and wide range of server locations. It’s perfect for switching between countries while browsing flight prices.
Alternatively, you can opt for PureVPN, which offers excellent service at an affordable price.
2. Clear Your Browser Cookies and Cache
Before you start searching, clear your browser’s cookies and cache. Why? Because websites track your search history through cookies, and if they see you searching for the same flight repeatedly, they might hike up the prices.
3. Connect to Different VPN Servers and Compare Prices
Once you’ve cleared your cookies, fire up your VPN. Connect to different servers across multiple countries and refresh the flight search page each time. Compare prices from various locations. This is where you’ll notice that flights from certain countries are often priced much lower than others.
- Pro Tip: Connect to countries where flights tend to be cheaper, such as developing nations, or the airline’s home country.
Why NordVPN Is the Best Choice for Cheaper Flights
When it comes to VPNs, NordVPN is a standout choice for travelers. Its blazing-fast servers across 60+ countries mean you can switch locations seamlessly without worrying about slow connections. Plus, NordVPN’s robust security features ensure that your personal information stays protected while you search for flights.
With NordVPN, you get access to:
- Over 5,000 servers worldwide
- Reliable, lightning-fast speeds
- Easy-to-use interface, even for VPN newbies
- Strong encryption to keep your data safe
How a VPN Helps Tourists, Business Travelers, and Expats Access the Internet Freely
Aside from helping you find cheaper flights, a VPN is an essential tool for tourists, business travelers, and expats. Whether you’re abroad for vacation, work, or living in a foreign country, using a VPN allows you to bypass geographical restrictions, access blocked content, and surf the web securely—no matter where you are in the world.
Imagine you’re a business traveler in China, where certain websites and services are blocked. With a VPN, you can access sites like Google, Facebook, and even your home country’s streaming services, all while keeping your online activities private.
For tourists, it’s a great way to check flight prices, book accommodations, and stream your favorite shows from back home without any hassle.
How to Choose a VPN Server to Get the Cheapest Flights
Not sure which VPN server to choose? Here’s a quick guide on how to select the best location for getting the lowest airfare:
1. Choose Your Destination Country
Airlines often offer discounts to travelers booking from the country they’re flying to. For example, if you’re booking a flight to Japan, try connecting to a VPN server in Japan. You might score a better deal than booking from the U.S.
2. Choose a Developing Country
Airlines often adjust their prices based on the economic strength of a region. Connect to servers in countries where the cost of living is lower—like India or Thailand—and you might find dramatically lower flight prices.
3. Choose the Airline’s Home Country
Sometimes, airlines offer cheaper prices to customers in their home country. For example, if you’re booking with Turkish Airlines, try connecting to a server in Turkey to see if there’s a price difference.
4. Choose Your Own Country
It might sound counterintuitive, but occasionally, using a server in your own country can work to your advantage, especially if there’s less demand for the route you’re flying. Additionally, using a VPN helps mask the fact that you’ve been frequently searching for the same flight, which could prevent price hikes.
How Websites Determine Your Location When Browsing for Flights
Websites use various tracking tools to figure out where you’re browsing from, including:
- IP Address: Your IP address reveals your general location, which influences the prices you see.
- Cookies: These store information about your browsing habits, including your searches for specific flights.
- Mobile Tracking: GPS data from your phone can also give away your location.
- Wi-Fi: Your Wi-Fi network’s geographic location can be tracked and used to tailor the prices you see.
- Browser HTML5 Geolocation: This feature in modern browsers pinpoints your location with high accuracy, often down to street level, if you allow it.
With a VPN, you can hide or change these details to access better deals.
PureVPN: Another Solid Option for Travelers
If NordVPN doesn’t fit your needs, PureVPN is another excellent choice. With over 6,500 servers in 78+ countries, it offers plenty of options for travelers looking to browse securely and unlock lower prices on flights. PureVPN is also known for its affordability, making it a fantastic alternative if you’re on a budget.
Final Tips for Getting Cheaper Flights Using a VPN
- Switch between multiple countries to find the best prices.
- Clear cookies before each search session to avoid airlines tracking your browsing history.
- Experiment with different VPN servers in both developed and developing countries.
- Use NordVPN or PureVPN for fast speeds and wide server coverage.
Conclusion
Using a VPN is a powerful tool that can help you find cheaper flights, giving you the edge in unlocking deals that would otherwise be hidden. By changing your virtual location, clearing your cookies, and comparing prices from different regions, you can save hundreds on your next trip. Whether you choose NordVPN or PureVPN, you’re guaranteed a more secure, flexible, and budget-friendly flight booking experience.
FAQs
How can I tell if my VPN is working when booking flights?
Once connected to a VPN, you can verify your new IP address by visiting websites like “WhatIsMyIP” to ensure you’re browsing from the intended country.
Can I use a free VPN to get cheaper flights?
How often should I clear my cookies when searching for flights?
It’s a good practice to clear cookies after every few searches or every time you switch VPN locations to ensure the lowest prices.
Do airlines track my searches for flights?
Yes, airlines often use cookies to track your searches. Clearing your cookies and using a VPN can help prevent price increases caused by repeated searches.
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