Let's say you live in near a major East Coast airport, and you want to leave North America. There are direct flights from those large airports to major world cities.
But few will have fares to match New York. The volume of traffic from there is incredible, and most international airlines (even the small or mid-sized national airlines) go into New York for competitive reasons.
It's another example of driving a short distance to save big money. Renowned budget carriers like Icelandair or Virgin Atlantic routinely base their best deals from New York.
Apply the same principle on arrival. Why insist on landing in Paris when there is a great fare to Brussels? Next week, the reverse could be true. A quick train trip between the two cities could save you hundreds of dollars. I'm willing to spend three hours on a train if the savings will pay me $150 or so for each hour, aren't you?
Draw a circle that encompasses all cities less than 200 miles from your home. Make note of all the airports within that circle. These are the places you want to include when you shop for tickets. Size the circle according to the length of your trip or budgetary restraints.
You can do the same with your destination city, although many people make that circle a bit smaller.
Be aware that the alternative airport will not always be cheaper. That's especially true if you have one or more budget carriers serving your city.
But it never hurts to ask about the alternatives. Factor in that limousine ride or the parking bills before making a final decision. If the resulting net savings is only a few dollars, you'll probably decide an alternative airport is not worth the trouble.
Taking the time to find out will help you make an informed decision. That's the goal of every budget traveler.
