Finding a cheap flight to Japan doesn’t have to be hard. With the right approach, you can save a lot of money and time. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best ways to find great flight deals to Japan, without any extra fluff. Let’s get started.
Book at the Right Time
Timing plays a huge role in how much your flight will cost. The best time to book your flight to Japan is typically 3-6 months in advance. Prices tend to rise as your departure date gets closer.
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You can also keep an eye on flight deals regularly. Prices can fluctuate daily, so being flexible with your booking date might help you land a cheap ticket.
Avoid Booking Too Early or Late
Some travelers book too far in advance, thinking it’s safer. But booking a year ahead of time isn’t always the best strategy. Airlines may not release their lower-tier prices until a few months out.
On the flip side, waiting until the last minute can get you stuck with much higher fares. Aim for that sweet spot—3-6 months before you go. Flights tend to be more affordable in this range.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Japan can be expensive to visit, especially during peak travel times like cherry blossom season (March to April) or during major Japanese holidays. If possible, avoid traveling during these times as demand hikes up the prices.
Not only should you be flexible on your travel dates, but also the days of the week. Flying on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually results in cheaper fares. Weekends tend to be more expensive.
Use Price Comparison Tools
There are a lot of websites and apps that will help you compare flight prices across different airlines. Using these tools will save you time and money as they can analyze thousands of flights for you with a few clicks.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is one of the best platforms for finding flight deals. You can use its “flexible dates” feature to search for the cheapest flights within a whole month, allowing you to quickly see when tickets are lower.
Skyscanner also searches budget airlines, which are often left out by other search engines. This gives you more options and sometimes better prices.
Google Flights
Google Flights is another powerful tool. It’s very fast and lets you explore prices to different cities in Japan by moving the map. You can set alerts here to receive notifications when prices for your desired route drop.
MOMONDO
Momondo does a great job of searching smaller airlines and filtering hidden deals. It’s worth checking as it sometimes shows offers that other sites miss.
Book Directly with the Airline
Once you’ve found the best price using a comparison tool, it’s often a good idea to go directly to the airline’s website to book your ticket. This will ensure you get the most up-to-date information and any extra benefits like more miles or better customer service.
Sometimes airlines even offer exclusive discounts or perks to travelers who book directly. This is another reason not to get locked into third-party platforms if you can avoid it.
Consider Layovers to Save Money
Non-stop flights are convenient but can be expensive, especially if you’re flying from North America or Europe. One way to save money is to consider flights with layovers.
Airlines often offer much cheaper flights if you’re willing to stop en route. Popular layover cities include Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. While it adds some time, it can save a lot of money.
Also, you might turn a layover into a fun stopover to explore another city for a day or two. Many airlines even offer free stopover programs to encourage tourism.
Join Frequent Flyer Programs
If you fly regularly, it’s worth joining frequent flyer programs for the airlines you use. Not only do you rack up points with each flight, but you also might get access to exclusive offers, upgrades, and cheaper tickets.
For example, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are part of major alliances that allow you to earn miles across several airlines. This makes it easier to accumulate points, no matter which airline you’re flying.
Popular Airlines to Japan
If you’re flying to Japan, you’re likely to consider one of these popular airlines.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Japan Airlines is one of the top choices for flights to Japan. It offers excellent service, comfortable seats, and often competitive pricing if you book early enough. JAL is also a member of the oneworld alliance, giving you the chance to redeem points across its partner airlines.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA is Japan’s largest airline and another top choice for flights. Like JAL, ANA has great service and offers a solid experience for international flights. They are part of Star Alliance, which is perfect if you’re looking to use or gain frequent flyer miles across partner airlines.
Aeroflot, Vietnam Airlines, and China Southern
These airlines often offer cheaper flights to Japan with layovers. Depending on your departure city, it might be worth looking into them as well for more budget-friendly options. While the layover might be longer, it’s a good way to cut costs without sacrificing too much comfort.
Budget Regional Airlines
Once you’re in Asia, another way to save money is to consider budget airlines for flights to or within Japan.
Peach Airlines
Peach Airlines is one of Japan’s most popular budget carriers for domestic flights and routes from neighboring countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and China. They offer cheap no-frill flights but charge for extras like checked bags and meals.
Jetstar Japan
Jetstar Japan is another budget option, offering both domestic and some international flights. You can often find great deals if you’re flexible about when you fly. Just like Peach, make sure to add up any hidden fees for things like bags to ensure you’re still getting a good deal.
Avoid Peak Travel Times
Japan has several high-demand times that increase flight costs. These are often tied to both local and international holidays.
Golden Week
Golden Week (end of April to early May) is one of Japan’s busiest travel periods. Avoid booking flights during this time if possible, as the whole country is on the move, and airfares skyrocket.
New Year’s and Obon Festival
These are major holidays in Japan, and ticket prices tend to spike in late December for New Year’s and mid-August for Obon. Flights to and from Japan become much more expensive as everyone is either heading home or traveling domestically.
Search in Private Mode or Clear Your Cache
You’ve probably read stories of airlines or booking platforms increasing prices when they see you’re searching for the same flight repeatedly. While some dispute this, it doesn’t hurt to search in “incognito” or private mode in your browser.
You can also clear your cache to avoid seeing inflated prices based on past searches. It’s a simple step that sometimes leads to cheaper flights.
Sign Up for Email Alerts
Sometimes the best deals are limited-time offers. By signing up for email alerts from your favorite booking sites, you’ll be the first to hear about special fares and discounts to Japan.
Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights allow users to set up price alerts for specific routes. Once you do this, they’ll notify you when the price drops for your planned trip.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best flight deals to Japan isn’t rocket science, but it can take a bit of time and patience. Use flight comparison tools, compare dates, search in incognito mode, and don’t sleep on frequent flyer programs.
With the right strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars on your flight to Japan, leaving you more budget to enjoy this amazing country.
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