You’re probably wondering if it’s true that VPNs can help you find cheaper flights – or just a marketing gimmick.
Well, yes, it’s true. VPNs help you leverage regional pricing disparities, currency exchange rates, and local promotions. But only certain VPNs work for this, and you must use them correctly.
In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to use a VPN to find cheaper flights. But first, here’s a summary of our top VPN providers.
The five best VPNs to get more affordable flights:
- ExpressVPN - The best VPN for finding cheaper flights. Its extensive global server network offers a wide range of location options to explore different regional pricing.
- Surfshark - A powerful, budget-friendly VPN for getting affordable flights. Offers high-speed connections, ideal for quick price comparisons across multiple sites.
- NordVPN - Strong privacy policies and stealth modes keep your browsing confidential so you can find cheaper flights anywhere.
- CyberGhost VPN - An excellent user-friendly option that's easy to set up and great for beginners.
- IPVanish - Combines fast connections, impenetrable security, and user-friendly apps on unlimited devices.
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Here’s a quick outline of the criteria we employed in choosing these VPNs (keep reading for more elaborate details):
- Plenty of servers around the globe
- Fast, reliable connections
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Access geo-restricted websites
- Work on numerous devices (Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more)
- Strong focus on privacy, including strict "no-logs” policies
Why use a VPN to get cheaper flights?
Using a VPN to find cheaper flights is a smart move for travelers. It hides your location and makes it look like you're browsing elsewhere. This is useful because airlines often change their prices depending on your location.
With a VPN, you can see prices from different countries, which might be lower than in your own country. Also, websites won't be able to change prices based on your past searches if they can't track you. This means you might find better deals.
VPNs also keep your online activity private and secure, especially when using public Wi-Fi. So, a VPN doesn't just have the potential to save you money on flights; it also keeps your online data safe.
How to use a VPN to get cheaper flights
1. Select a VPN with a global server network: We recommend ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
2. Install and launch the VPN on your device.
3. Connect to a server in a different country and search for your flight.
4. Take note of the flight's price, then clear your browser cookies.
5. Repeat the search process by connecting to servers in various countries to find price differences.
6. Finalize your booking using the server location that offers the cheapest flight price.
| TEST WINNER ExpressVPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | CyberGhost VPN | IPVanish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | CyberGhost VPN | IPVanish |
| Ranking for cheaper flights | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Performance | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Reliability | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Free trial | |||||
| Total servers | 3000 | 3200 | 5300 | 9723 | 2000 |
| Payment | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency | PayPal Visa/MasterCard Amex Cryptocurrency |
| Unblocks: | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu | Netflix iPlayer Disney+ Amazon Prime Hulu |
| Supported platforms | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android | Windows macOS iOS Android |
Deep dive: The best VPNs to get cheaper flights
Now, let's dive into an in-depth review of the best VPNs for securing cheaper flights. We'll explore each option, emphasizing their features and explaining why they are outstanding choices for travelers looking to save on airfares.
If you’re still not sure after reading this, check out our complete VPN reviews.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for securing cheaper flights – for good reason! It offers reliable, secure, and lightning-fast connections anywhere in the world. ExpressVPN shines in its ability to help find cheaper flights, thanks to its extensive server network spread across over 90 countries. This vast coverage allows you to easily check flight prices from various locations, increasing your chances of discovering lower airfares. Our rigorous testing of ExpressVPN's connection speeds, even at distant locations, consistently demonstrated superior performance to top competitors. This is crucial for quickly searching and comparing flight prices across various websites without experiencing lag or interruptions. The simplicity of the ExpressVPN app is a significant advantage. It's designed for easy use on multiple devices, such as smartphones and computers, facilitating your search for affordable flights from any device. With ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee, you can explore its features risk-free. Surfshark is the most budget-friendly VPN for finding cheaper flights, offering a combination of privacy features and fast, reliable connections at an affordable price. Surfshark distinguishes itself with a comprehensive suite of security and privacy features that are particularly beneficial if you’re looking for cheaper flights. These include malware and spam detection, an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, IP address rotation, and a stealth mode that uses advanced obfuscation software. Such features protect your online flight searches from trackers and other digital threats. Moreover, Surfshark's fast connection speeds are a significant advantage when comparing flight prices. Our extensive tests across various locations confirmed consistent, high-speed connections, ensuring efficient and buffer-free searches for the best flight deals. Another notable feature of Surfshark is its support for unlimited devices. This allows for a seamless experience across different platforms, whether you're searching for flights on a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN. It delivers top-tier security features to protect your data and online activities, crucial for safe and private flight searches. NordVPN’s strong security measures make it an excellent choice to find cheaper flights. It features robust 256-bit AES encryption and 2,048-bit DH keys, ensuring your online activities, including flight searches, remain secure and private. Additional security features such as an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and IP leak protection further enhance your online safety. Following a strict no-logs policy, NordVPN guarantees that your browsing history is kept private and not shared with third parties, including government entities. Aside from its security aspects, NordVPN boasts a vast network of over 5,000 servers worldwide. This extensive network benefits travelers, allowing you to compare flight prices from different regions, potentially leading to significant savings. Furthermore, NordVPN supports up to six simultaneous device connections, offering flexibility across various devices. Every subscription includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is the most user-friendly VPN for finding cheaper flights. It offers an exceptional experience that’s fast, secure, and flexible. CyberGhost stands out for its commitment to user privacy, with a strict no-logs policy and RAM-only servers that automatically erase your data after every session. These features are essential for keeping your flight search activities private. The expansive network of over 10,000 servers globally provided by CyberGhost is a significant asset for finding cheaper flights. This extensive coverage allows you to check flight prices from different regions, potentially uncovering better deals unavailable in your local area. Our testing has verified CyberGhost's ability to maintain fast and reliable connections, which is vital for efficiently comparing flight prices without experiencing delays or interruptions. CyberGhost supports up to seven devices simultaneously and is compatible with various platforms, including Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows. This versatility makes it a top choice for travelers using different devices to search for flights. Lastly, CyberGhost offers a substantial 45-day money-back guarantee. IPVanish has over 2,000 servers in 75+ countries, offering reliable, fast connections whether you’re in Argentina or Australia. IPVanish offers a wide-reaching network with over 2,000 servers in more than 75 locations worldwide, ensuring users have fast and reliable internet connections. This extensive server coverage is vital for efficiently comparing flight prices from various regions, enhancing the chances of finding cheaper fares. We tested IPVanish’s security and privacy settings by downloading it onto five different devices in my household (Windows PC, iPhone, Android, etc.). On every device, it passed my tests with flying colors. The military-grade encryption, leak protections, and kill-switches all performed excellently, and we felt totally secure while the VPN was turned on. However, IPVanish is based in the U.S. While we trust their no-logs policy and other privacy guarantees, there are plenty of excellent VPNs on this list in much more privacy-friendly locations. IPVanish provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans. 1. ExpressVPN
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Methodology: how we tested the best VPNs to get cheaper flights
Our evaluation process for identifying the best VPNs for finding more affordable flights emphasized essential features that enhance online experiences and optimize flight search access:
- Extensive server network: We prioritized VPNs with a large global network of secure servers. This is crucial for travelers looking to compare flight prices from different regions.
- Content access: Our selected VPNs excel in providing access to various sites worldwide. This capability to bypass geo-restrictions is vital for accessing diverse flight booking and travel sites.
- Fast connections: High-speed connections are essential. We focused on VPNs that maintain internet speed, which is crucial for quick and efficient flight price comparisons.
- Lightweight: The VPNs we recommend operate efficiently without significantly impacting mobile devices' battery life, CPU performance, or speed. This ensures a seamless experience when searching for flights on various devices.
- Top-notch security: We selected VPNs with leading security features like robust 256-bit AES encryption and IP leak protection. These features are rigorously tested to ensure online anonymity and safety, especially for secure flight bookings.
- User-friendliness: Ease of use is key. We chose VPNs with straightforward applications and setup processes, making them accessible even to those new to VPNs.
- Value: Each VPN's pricing, refund policies, and customer support were thoroughly reviewed. We have recommended VPNs that offer a good balance of features and cost-effectiveness, ensuring value for money.
Our in-depth testing process included server hopping, interacting with customer support, speed tests, and thorough checks for location and data leaks to ensure comprehensive and reliable recommendations.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review process.
Can I use a free VPN to get cheaper flights?
We do not recommend using a free VPN to get cheaper flights.
VPNs are sophisticated software that requires constant updates to counter new online threats and hacking techniques. That’s why premium services like ExpressVPN and Surfshark charge a monthly fee to support the investment required.
Free VPNs don’t make money from subscriptions, which leads to two huge issues:
1. They provide a low-quality product.
Free VPNs typically offer slower speeds and unreliable connections and may struggle to bypass geo-restrictions. They often have data limits, which can leave many online activities unprotected, like searching for flights.
2. They practice shady, dishonest business practices.
Many free VPNs resort to practices such as tracking and selling your private data, inserting ads into your browsing experience, or potentially exposing your device to malware to compensate for their lack of direct revenue.
For these reasons, investing in a reputable, cheap VPN is safer and more reliable for finding cheaper flights and protecting your online activities.
How to use a VPN to get cheaper flights FAQs
Conclusion
Using a VPN to find cheaper flights is an effective strategy for traveling worldwide at very affordable prices.
By concealing your IP address, a VPN allows you to explore flight prices from various global locations, potentially uncovering lower fares due to regional pricing differences. Additionally, it helps maintain your privacy and avoids targeted price increases based on your browsing history.
While not a guaranteed method for savings, it's a valuable tool for savvy travelers looking to optimize their travel expenses. Remember to compare prices with and without a VPN to ensure the best deal.