How to Find Flights for Your First Solo Trip Without Getting Overwhelmed

Booking a flight is where a lot of first-time solo travelers get stuck.

You know where you want to go. You’ve started imagining yourself walking those streets, eating the local food, and finally seeing that place you’ve dreamed about for years. Then you open a flight search, and suddenly there are hundreds of options.

Different airlines. Different airports. Different prices. Different layovers.

It’s enough to make you close your laptop and tell yourself you’ll look again tomorrow.

I get it because I’ve been there.

The good news is you don’t need to become a flight expert. You don’t need to use every travel app out there either. My brain can only handle so many options, so I’ve kept my process simple.

These days, I usually start with a destination, not a flight. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized life is short, and I’m not waiting for “someday” anymore. There are places I’ve always wanted to see, and I’m working my way through my bucket list one trip at a time.

Once I decide where I want to go, I use a simple process to find the flight that works best for me. It doesn’t have to be the absolute cheapest. It just has to fit my budget, my itinerary, and help me feel confident hitting that “Book” button.

Here’s exactly how I do it.

Google Flights Is Always My First Stop

Every trip starts with Google Flights.

I love how easy it is to use. Within a few minutes I can compare airlines, see prices across several days, and set price alerts so Google lets me know if the fare changes.

One of my favorite features is the map.

Instead of searching one city, I can type in Germany or even Europe and see flight prices across the map. It’s fun to play around with different destinations and see what’s out there.

Sometimes I joke that I’m letting “the Google” decide where I should go.

And once a destination takes up space in my brain, forget it. I’ll tell myself I’m “just checking prices,” then somehow an hour has gone by and I’m comparing layovers, arrival times, and wondering if I could make an open-jaw flight work.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I usually already have a destination in mind. But I still enjoy seeing what’s possible.

If planning an international trip still feels overwhelming, my Planning Your First Solo Trip guide walks you through every step, from choosing a destination to booking your hotel.

Then I Check Skyscanner

Once I’ve found a flight I like, I usually head over to Skyscanner.

I don’t expect it to magically find a cheaper fare. In fact, it usually doesn’t.

What it does do is give me another look at my options. Sometimes it shows smaller airlines or routes that I didn’t notice the first time around.

Think of it as getting a second opinion.

I Usually Book Directly With the Airline

Even if I find the flight somewhere else, I almost always book directly with the airline.

I’ve heard too many stories about flights being delayed, canceled, or changed, and the traveler gets caught between the airline and the third-party booking site. Each one tells you to call the other.

No thank you.

I’d rather have one company responsible for my reservation if something goes wrong.

I also keep printed copies of my itinerary, hotel reservations, and other important travel documents all together, just in case I need them. Here is the travel documents checklist I use.

Don’t Let Too Many Choices Keep You From Booking

One of the biggest mistakes I see new travelers make isn’t choosing the wrong flight.

It’s never choosing one at all.

They keep searching.

They keep comparing.

They wait for the perfect deal.

Then another week goes by.

At some point, you have to stop searching and book the trip.

The perfect flight probably doesn’t exist.

You’re looking for the flight that works for your budget, your schedule, and your comfort level.

Price Matters, But It Isn’t the Only Thing to Look At

I’m much more intentional with my money than I used to be.

If I can save a couple hundred dollars on my flight, that’s money I can spend on experiences once I get there. But I don’t book based on price alone.

I also look at:

* Where is the layover?
* How long is the layover?
* How long is the entire travel day?
* What time will I arrive?
* Will I have to change airports?

When I first started traveling internationally by myself, I wasn’t worried about having a long layover.

I was worried it wouldn’t be long enough!

I kept imagining myself running through a huge airport trying to find my next gate while watching the clock.

✈️ Free Travel Guide

Worried about what happens if something goes wrong during your trip?

I created my free Just in Case Travel Guide to help you prepare for common travel problems like delayed flights, lost luggage, and other unexpected situations before you leave home.

👉 Download your free travel guide here

Now I actually appreciate having enough time to stretch my legs, grab something to eat, and make my connection without feeling rushed.

I also avoid flights that arrive late at night whenever I can. Landing somewhere new in the middle of the day just feels less stressful, especially when I’m figuring out transportation to my hotel.

Finding a cheaper flight is just one way I keep travel affordable. Here are other creative ways I save money for travel.

Sometimes I’ll Trade Time for Money

Because I’m careful with my travel budget, I’m willing to make some compromises.

If one extra layover saves me a hundred dollars or more, I’ll seriously consider it.

I also don’t mind flying out of a different airport if it saves enough money.

I don’t live near a major international hub, so I often compare flights from airports like Atlanta, New York, or Washington, DC. Sometimes it’s worth taking a separate flight or driving a little farther if the savings are significant.

Every trip is different, so I do the math before deciding.

Traveling carry-on only also gives me more flexibility when I’m comparing flights because I don’t have to worry about checked bag fees or waiting at baggage claim.

Your Flight Should Fit Your Itinerary

One thing many first-time travelers don’t realize is that you don’t have to fly in and out of the same airport.

I search both round-trip flights and one-way options because sometimes an open-jaw itinerary makes much more sense.

What is an “open-jaw” flight?

Open-jaw simply means flying into one airport and out of another.

If you’re planning to visit several cities, it’s worth checking whether an open-jaw flight will save you time, money, or both.

When I went to Portugal, I flew into Porto and home from Faro. That meant I could travel south through the country instead of doubling back.

For my upcoming Vietnam trip, I’m planning to fly into Da Nang and home from Hanoi.

But when I visited Lucerne, Switzerland, I flew in and out of Zurich because I spent my entire trip in one area.

There’s no right answer.

The best flight is the one that makes your trip easier.

Sometimes a Layover Becomes Part of the Adventure

Most people try to avoid layovers.

Sometimes I actually seek them out.

I’ve purposely chosen flights with layovers in Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Istanbul that were long enough to leave the airport and spend a few hours exploring the city before catching my next flight.

Obviously, this doesn’t work every time, and you’ll need to make sure you have more than enough time and meet any entry requirements.

I Also Use Points and Miles

Using points and miles has helped me visit places I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.

If you’re new to travel rewards, I explain exactly how I use points and miles to make bucket-list trips more affordable.

I use Chase Ultimate Rewards and usually transfer my points to airline partners instead of booking through the travel portal.

I’m not going to get into all the details here, but if you’ve never looked into travel rewards, they’re worth learning about. They can make a bigger difference than you might think.

My Flight Booking Process Is Actually Pretty Simple

When people ask what apps I use to book flights, they usually expect a long list.

They’re surprised when I tell them I don’t use a dozen different flight apps. There are plenty of good ones out there, but I’ve learned that too many choices just make my brain hurt. I’d rather spend my energy planning what I’m going to do once I get there.

The truth is, I really only use two.

Google Flights and Skyscanner.

That’s it.

After that, I book directly with the airline.

If you’re still working through the rest of your trip, my Planning a Solo Trip guide walks you through everything that comes after booking your flight.

Simple Works for Me

Travel planning doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need twenty browser tabs open or a spreadsheet full of flight comparisons.

You just need a destination you’re excited about, a couple of good tools, and the confidence to click that “Book” button.

Because the hardest part isn’t usually finding the flight.

It’s believing you’re ready to take it.