Over 6,000 teachers have traveled the world on GEEO programs, and we have helped many of those educators find the best airfare rates. Finding flight deals is not always easy and often takes work, so we have gathered our best advice so that you can find the perfect flight deal for your GEEO Adventure.

Article Sections:
— Before You Search for Flights
— Where to Search and Book
— Time your Booking
— Smart Booking Strategies
— Additional Money-Saving Tips

Before You Search for Flights

Wait for program confirmation: Most GEEO programs require a minimum of six participants. We confirm programs once eight people sign up. Unless your tickets have flexible change policies, wait for confirmation before booking. Non-changeable fares are cheaper but only make sense when your trip is certain. –> Learn more about GEEO’s Program Confirmation Process.

Plan for the unexpected: Flight delays happen, which is why we recommend building in buffer time to protect your investment. Look for flights with 2-hour minimum layover connections. You will need this time to clear security, passport control, and customs—especially if your first flight is delayed. We also recommend arriving 1-2 days before the program start when possible. If you experience delays, you won’t have to play “catch up” to meet your group; if everything goes smoothly, you’ll have time to explore the program’s start city. Departing a day early or returning late may also save money, as fares vary by day of the week.

Where to Search and Book

Use a flight search engine: Start with search engines like Google Flights or Kayak to compare routes and prices across airlines. If you want to try a more advanced search system, check out Google ITA Matrix, which indexes more flights and has more advanced search criteria.

Book directly with the airlines: Airlines are more reliable than third-party sites (like Expedia). Please do not book a flight through an unfamiliar website. In the event of flight changes or cancellations, airlines typically provide more dependable customer service if you booked your flights directly through them.

If you would like assistance searching for flights, please feel free to contact us at travel@geeo.org.

Time your Booking

When to book: For international flights, the best time to book is typically three to five months before your travel date. For popular destinations at peak times (Greece in summer, Italy in July), book earlier—some airlines release tickets 11 months ahead. Booking too early or too late typically costs more; the sweet spot is when airlines have released their best fares but demand hasn’t driven prices up yet.

Best day to book: According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report, booking on Sundays can save international travelers 17% compared to booking on Mondays or Fridays. While prices fluctuate constantly, Sunday has consistently shown the best savings.

Cheapest days to fly: For international travel, according to the same Expedia Report, weekdays are usually cheaper than weekends. Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays can cut costs by 13% to 20% compared to weekend flights.

Off-peak times matter: Fly when most people do not want to—dawn, overnight, and flights around the lunch and dinner hour. Early morning and red-eye flights often have lower demand and therefore lower prices.

Cheapest months to fly: January—February (post-holiday) and September—November offer the best deals across most destinations. These shoulder and off-season months can be 40-60% cheaper than peak summer travel. While teacher summer breaks align with peak season pricing, GEEO offers fall programs during these more affordable travel months. We can also book you on any G Adventures program year-round to help you take advantage of lower fares.

Smart Booking Strategies

Check one-way vs. round-trip fares: Do not automatically assume round-trip is cheaper. There are times where one airline might have the cheapest outbound flight and a different airline might have the cheapest return flight. Search both options and compare total costs.

Use the 24-hour rule: U.S. Department of Transportation regulations require airlines to allow free changes or cancellations for up to 24 hours after purchasing (for flights departing at least seven days in advance). This means you can snag the cheap flight before the price rises, and you have a day to make sure you can actually take the trip. If the price drops within the first 24 hours, you can book the cheaper flight and cancel the more expensive ticket.

Consider layovers: Direct flights are more convenient but cost significantly more. Opting for connecting flights can save you as much as 25%. If you have the time and patience, this is one of the most effective ways to reduce your airfare costs.

Sign up for airline newsletters: If you know which airlines fly the routes you hope to fly, sign up for their newsletter so you are the first to hear about special sales or deals. Airlines often announce flash sales and promotions exclusively to their email subscribers before making them publicly available.

Additional Money-Saving Tips

Use price tracking consistently: Set up fare alerts on Google Flights, Kayak, or Hopper and monitor them over several weeks. Prices fluctuate constantly, and patience often pays off. You will be notified when fares drop rather than having to manually check every day.

Check multiple airports: If you live between airports, compare all options. Sometimes driving an extra hour to a different airport saves several hundred dollars. Also consider nearby airports at your destination—flying into a smaller regional airport can sometimes be cheaper than the main international hub.

Travel light when possible: Baggage fees add up quickly. If you can pack in a carry-on, you will save money and time at the airport. Many budget carriers up-charge significantly for checked bags. Check the fine print closely when doing cost comparisons as the the ultra-low-cost carriers can end up costing the same as a much more comfortable economy-class ticket when all of the fees are accounted for.

Verify Your Travel Insurance Coverage: Make sure your travel insurance adequately protects your investment if unexpected circumstances cause major flight delays or force you to cancel. All GEEO travelers are required to have coverage of at least $200,000 USD for emergency medical, evacuation, and repatriation expenses. We particularly recommend International Volunteer Card (IVC) for our travelers because, as a nonprofit, GEEO qualifies for their specialized coverage. In addition to meeting the required minimums, IVC plans include trip interruption benefits and can be upgraded with trip cancellation insurance for added protection. Learn more about International Volunteer Card plan options.