Most of us are still tightening our financial belts as the global economy struggles to get back on an even keel, but with a little careful planning even the most cash-strapped of would-be globe trotters can afford to hop on a plane to a dream destination - here's how. 

 

 

When it comes to searching for flights, it pays to be flexible in terms of dates and destinations. For example, if February's chill leaves you longing to escape to the sunny side of the globe, you might find that flights to super-hot destinations such as Rio de Janeiro are extremely pricey - why? February is the month of Carnival and millions of partiers from across the globe are heading here to join the world famous celebrations. Hold off a few more weeks and you will not only find that prices are slashed as the city experiences its post-Carnival tourism slump, but you'll also be in line for cheaper lodgings and an awful lot more elbow room on the beach. Similarly, if you feel like some guaranteed summer sun in a European destination such as the Algarve coast of Portugal, the South of France or buzzing Spanish cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, you have more chance of bagging cheap tickets if you avoid the peak summer season of July and August, when British schools are on their annual breaks. Even giving a few days' leeway either side of your ideal flight date will considerably up the odds of finding a flight that doesn't cost a fortune and the more you are able to be flexible with dates, the more you are likely to save. 

 

For example, if your thoughts turn to summer in the city and you have a hankering for a June visit to Rome, Paris or Barcelona, it may well be worth considering cheap flights to other, less touristy destinations such as Lisbon or Porto in Portugal, Seville in Spain, or Florence in Italy. 

 

 

When it comes to booking cheap airline tickets, there are two schools of thought among cost-conscious travellers. Those who like to plan their break well in advance will advise on booking early to get the best prices and in many cases this can indeed be the best way to grab a bargain. Many a frustrated traveller has seen cheap flights and decided to buy them the next day, only to find that when they reach for the credit card, the flights have already gone. If you have your mind set on when and where you want to go and see a genuine bargain, it is usually wise to snap it up before it is gone for good. 

 

On the other hand, those who like to live a little dangerously and don't mind being a little more flexible regarding destination can often find real bargains by waiting until the last minute before booking their flight. Okay, so you may have planned to visit Nice and ended up on a last minute, slashed price trip to Madrid, but who cares? Half of the fun of a real last-minute bargain hunt is in the uncertainty, as many airlines drop their prices to fill empty seats on flights in the last days or hours before they leave.