Flights can be expensive, especially if you are booking a flight outside of your country. When planning a business trip or vacation, you often have to spend more on the flight than you do on the lodging and food. Unfortunately, the high expense of flying is what causes many would-be world travelers to visit places they can reach by car.

Flights do not have to cost an arm and a leg. Although you will still need a significant amount of money to fly, there are many ways to save money on your next airline ticket. The next time you need to book a flight, keep the following tips in mind:

Make your travel dates flexible.

Often leaving a day early or changing the time span of the trip so you leave on a different day can save you hundreds of dollars on your flight. Most traveling happens on weekends. Thus, flights are more expensive Friday through Monday. Wednesday is generally the most inexpensive travel dates, but this is not true around the holidays.

Speaking of holidays, you can also save money if you travel during the "off" season. The off-season changes depending on where you live and where you are leaving, but typically, you want to avoid traveling around major holidays. Prices will be more expensive.

Check with the airline for tickets.

Today, most people book their flights online. However, even though purchasing a ticket via the internet is convenient, it is often not the best choice. A number of websites boast low prices, and although they do offer discounts, the site’s surcharges and other fees eat up that discount. You can often find the least expensive ticket option by contacting your airline directly.

Take a later flight.

If you take a red eye flight (night flight) or choose another undesirable flight time, you might find that you can get a cheaper price. People like to fly when it is convenient. Flights that leave during the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM are generally most expensive. Keep in mind that as you fly, you may be changing time zones, so booking an early or late flight might not affect your plans too much.

Be flexible about changing planes.

Direct flights, in most cases, are much more expensive. When you add flight changes to your overall schedule, you could find that you have layovers lasting hours. However, if you do not mind the extra travel time, you will likely find that you can get a flight for much cheaper. When thinking about direct versus layovers, choose the layover option to save money – just make sure you have enough time to get from gate to gate.

Leave from a bigger airport.

If you are willing to drive a bit farther, you can save money on your flight by choosing a small, local airport. This may be the most convenient option, but these airports usually have just a few gates and terminals. They only fly to specific larger airports a few times every day, so you will likely have to switch flights. This may result in a more expensive ticket. If you can easily drive into a near-by city and leave from a larger airport, you may be able to find much cheaper ticket options. However, it is best to research both large and small airports because you can find great deals with proper research

Fly coach.

First class is nice, but it is a more expensive option. Instead, choose a coach seat and arrive at the airport early. They assign seats based on when you arrive, and if you get there hours in advance, you may be able to request an emergency exit seat, which has extra legroom allowing for a more comfortable flight. At the very least, you can get an aisle seat and choose where on the plane you will sit. A coach seat is a great way to save money and there are ways to make it more comfortable for you.

Sometimes, finding the best, least expensive ticket is simply a matter of shopping around. In the months leading up to your flight, take some time to visit all broker sites, and consider checking on prices with local travel agents. Compare prices often, as they change from time to time, often getting more expensive as the day of the flight approaches and choose the least pricey option according to your research. Although flights can be expensive, there are many ways to save money allowing for a stress free vacation. Remember that leaving during the week, choosing a coach ticket, change airports with a layover flight, and researching ticket prices from a major airport and smaller airport. By considering these tips when planning your next vacation, you can save hundreds of dollars with proper research and planning.

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About Author: Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about vacation destinations and travel deals, often discussing travel tips one would find through working with a travel agency.