Finding The Cheapest Departure Airport: Money-Saving Travel Tips

There are a number of ways to find the cheapest departure airport for a specific destination. One method is to use ITA Matrix and list a number of origin airports, either with the dates you want or with the flexible calendar view if you're flexible on dates. Another option is to use Google Flights, which is faster than ITA Matrix, but only if you have four or five possible departure airports. You can also use third-party sites like Kayak or Skyscanner, but it's recommended to cross-check with the airline to avoid any issues.

Use ITA Matrix to list a bunch of origin airports

ITA Matrix is a tool that can be used to find the cheapest departure airport for a specific destination. It is recommended to list a bunch of origin airports when using ITA Matrix to find the cheapest departure airport. This is because ITA Matrix allows you to put in a dozen or so departure airports and see what shows up.

To use ITA Matrix effectively, try a few different searches with every likely origin airport. You can either use the dates you want or the flexible calendar view if your dates are flexible.

For example, if you are travelling to St. Martin (SXM) for a wedding in June, you can use ITA Matrix to find the cheapest departure city. You can put in a dozen or so departure airports near your location and see which one offers the best price for your specific dates.

While ITA Matrix can be a useful tool for finding the cheapest departure airport, it may not always be the fastest option. Google Flights is a faster alternative if you have only 4 or 5 possible departure airports. However, there is a trade-off as Google Flights may not include smaller airports that could offer cheaper fares.

Try Kayak Explore to search one departure city to any destination

If you're looking for the cheapest departure airport, you can try Kayak Explore to search one departure city to any destination. This is a good option if you're not sure where you want to go, as you can search for flights from your chosen departure city to everywhere.

To use Kayak Explore, simply enter your departure city and select 'everywhere' as your destination. The site will then show you a list of destinations with the cheapest flights from your chosen departure city. You can also use the flexible dates feature to find the cheapest time to fly.

It's worth noting that Kayak Explore may not show results for smaller or less popular cities, so if you're looking for flights to a specific destination, you may need to try a different site or search engine.

Another option is Skyscanner, which allows you to search for flights from a specific departure airport to 'everywhere'. However, some users have reported that Skyscanner only shows results that have been found by other people searching for specific flights, so it may not be as comprehensive as Kayak Explore.

Use Google Flights if you have 4 or 5 possible departure airports

If you have four or five possible departure airports, it's much faster to use Google Flights to find the cheapest option. To do this, enter the airports comma-separated. However, be aware that there could be a cheaper fare at a smaller airport that Google Flights won't show you.

Some other sites you can use to find the cheapest departure airport are Kayak, Skyscanner, and ITA Matrix. To use ITA Matrix, list a bunch of origin airports and try a few different searches with every likely origin airport, either with the dates you want or with the flexible calendar view if your dates are flexible.

Use Skyscanner to search from SSH, setting the destination as everywhere

There are a few ways to find the cheapest departure airport. One way is to use Skyscanner and search from your departure airport, setting the destination as 'everywhere'. However, this method has its limitations. If the cities you're interested in aren't popular with Skyscanner users, you may not find much. Another option is to use ITA Matrix and list a bunch of origin airports. You can try a few different searches with every likely origin airport, either with the dates you want or with the flexible calendar view if your dates are flexible.

Google Flights is another option, but it only works if you have four or five possible departure airports. You can enter the airports comma-separated. However, there could be cheaper fares at smaller airports that don't show up in the search results.

Kayak Explore is another site that can be used to search for the cheapest departure airport. You can put in a dozen or so departure airports and see what shows up.

Crosscheck third-party advertisers with the airline

When searching for the cheapest departure airport, it's important to cross-check third-party advertisers with the airline. While sites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights can be useful tools for finding cheap flights, it's always a good idea to verify the information with the airline directly. This is because third-party sites may not always have the most up-to-date or accurate information.

For example, when using Skyscanner, you can search for flights from a specific airport (e.g., SSH) and set the destination as "everywhere". While this can be a useful way to find cheap flights, it's important to note that Skyscanner's results are influenced by the popularity of certain cities among its users. If the cities you're interested in aren't popular on Skyscanner, you may not find much useful information.

Similarly, when using Google Flights, it's important to be aware that smaller airports may offer cheaper fares that don't show up in the search results. This is because Google Flights tends to focus on larger, more popular airports.

ITA Matrix is another option for finding cheap flights, and it allows you to input a dozen or so departure airports to see what's available. However, it can be time-consuming to use, especially if you have a long list of potential departure airports.

By cross-checking the information from these third-party sites with the airline, you can ensure that you're getting the most accurate and up-to-date information about flight prices and availability. This can help you make a more informed decision about which departure airport to choose.

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