Nomadic Notes

Category: About Nomadic Notes

  • How I Find Cheap Flights (Without Losing My Mind)

    As promised, I want to walk you through how I’ve been scoring great deals on flights. It’s not rocket science — and while there may be cheaper options out there, sometimes the effort to save an extra few pounds just isn’t worth the hassle.

    The main tool I use is Google Flights. When used right, it’s powerful: you can track pricing patterns, monitor fare changes over time, and filter by important features like baggage allowance or preferred airlines. It’s become my go-to.

    I’m still relatively new to the game, but I recently used it to book a flight from Cyprus to England for just £45, cabin bag included. I tracked the prices for a couple of weeks and noticed they dropped every Wednesday, about four days before departure, but only if the flight still had plenty of empty seats. Fortunately, I had the flexibility to wait and take that risk. If you don’t, I’d strongly recommend booking further in advance — or budgeting extra in case prices go up instead.

    Important Baggage Tips for Travelers

    Before you get too excited about a low fare, make sure to consider how you travel. Are you fine with just a small backpack? Do you need a proper carry-on? Or a full checked bag? This really matters — because booking a super cheap flight and then paying triple the fare for baggage add-ons can totally defeat the purpose. In some cases, a slightly more expensive flight with bags included is the better deal.

    To help with that, I’ve broken down which airlines are best for different types of travellers (scroll down for that).

    Changes Coming to the EU

    Also, something to keep an eye on: the EU has recently voted to ban extra charges for carry-on luggage. This proposal still needs approval from 55% of member states, but if passed (negotiations begin in July 2025), it will apply to all flights within, to, and from the EU. This could dramatically change how we travel in Europe — so stay updated on this if you’re planning EU flights.

    Google Flights: How to Use It Smartly

    If you haven’t used it before, Google Flights is super intuitive, even on mobile. In the first screenshot (see below), you’ll see a basic search screen. You can enter specific airports or even select “Anywhere” as a destination if you’re browsing for inspiration. I usually search using one-way tickets — it gives a clearer picture of price fluctuations.

    Once your route is entered, click on the departure date and it will pull up a calendar showing prices across the whole month. This is where the magic happens.

    Google Flights lists all airlines, including budget carriers, layovers, and doesn’t automatically filter by baggage — which is something you need to do manually. You’ll notice that prices vary dramatically depending on the day and season. Contrary to popular belief, flights don’t always get cheaper the earlier you book. During off-season, for example, prices often drop closer to departure. Green-highlighted prices indicate a great deal — grab these if you can, they usually won’t last long.

    After choosing your dates, you can refine your search by:

    • Number of stops
    • Baggage allowance
    • Preferred airlines
    • Maximum price

    These filters then apply to the entire date calendar, making it easy to scan for options that meet your needs.

    As you can see in the final image, if you scroll down after selecting a specific date, you’ll have the option to track prices — either for that particular date or for general price changes on that route.

    This feature is most useful when you’re planning well in advance. In my experience, it’s not particularly helpful just a month or two out, as prices tend to climb the closer you get. And if you’re booking last minute, daily checks are a better strategy anyway.

    In my case, I snagged that £45 Cyprus-to-London ticket just one week before departure. I’d been watching the prices daily for two weeks. It ended up being a week later than I originally wanted, but that’s the trade-off for booking last-minute — sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

    Let me know if you liked this and would like more travel tips and content 🙂

  • ✈️ Exhausted, Stranded, and Scammed: A Travel Day I’ll Never Forget

    I’ve been caught out more times than I’d like to admit — overpriced flights, surprise fines, poor planning. You name it. I’ve learned most of my travel lessons the hard way. That’s why I want to share not just the highlights, but the disasters too. Maybe it’ll help you dodge a few headaches of your own.

    One of my most stressful travel days happened in America, and honestly, it still makes me cringe a little thinking about it. But let’s get into it — maybe you’ll laugh, maybe you’ll wince, but hopefully you’ll walk away a little wiser than I was.

    It all started with a simple plan. We’d just finished a road trip through New Jersey and had a flight booked to Florida the next day. A friend had recommended a third-party site called Kiwi. I figured, sure, why not save some money?

    We booked a cheap motel for the night, dropped off the rental van, and I thought we were golden. But oh, how wrong I was.

    Motel 6, New Jersey

    Let me just say: if you’ve never stayed in a dodgy roadside motel, count your blessings. The lock on our door barely worked, there were cockroaches in the bathroom, and the sheets looked… questionable at best. I was lucky to be with friends. If I’d been solo, I don’t know how safe I would’ve felt. I’d stayed in plenty of budget hostels before — most were clean, welcoming, even kind of fun. But this? This felt straight out of a true crime documentary.

    Still, we made it through the night. Just barely.

    Check-out was at 10 a.m., and our flight wasn’t until 4 p.m. We debated paying for a late check-out, but figured we’d tough it out at the airport. In hindsight, that $20 would’ve been a bargain.

    We arrived early, camped out near an outlet, stocked up on snacks, and tried to settle in. At first, it felt like part of the adventure. Uncomfortable, sure, but fun.

    Then things started to unravel.

    The first blow: at check-in, I was hit with an unexpected $60 fee for my bag. Kiwi hadn’t sorted the hold luggage correctly, and while the airline said I could maybe claim it back, it was already clear that this wasn’t going to be easy.

    Next came a wave of delays. There was a hurricane on the horizon, we were hoping our flight wouldn’t be cancelled because of it. Hours passed. We got hungry, cranky, and sore from sitting on cold plastic seats.

    We travelled through the airport, chatted with vendors and explored. And just when we thought we might finally be boarding, the flight was cancelled entirely, due to a pilot shortage. It was now almost midnight.

    We were exhausted. Barely functioning. But there was a glimmer of hope — they managed to rebook us on another flight that night. The catch? It was from LaGuardia Airport. Over an hour away. In the middle of the night. We were told by the gate agent that our Uber would be fully reimbursed. It was something, at least.

    But when we got to the customer service desk, everything changed. Suddenly, they were only willing to cover $75 of the $125 ride. And it was now past midnight.

    This is where I thank my past self for travelling with a brilliant friend. She’d recorded our earlier conversation with the gate agent. When we played it back, the mood at the desk shifted fast. The staff claimed the recording was illegal. The tension in the air was sharp, almost heavy.

    Now, I don’t like confrontation. It makes my chest tighten and my mouth go dry. But something in me clicked. I calmly pulled out my phone, looked up the state laws, and found that the recording was perfectly legal. I didn’t raise my voice or argue. I just said, “I’m happy to delete the recording, but only if you follow through on what was promised.”

    There was a long pause. Then a sigh. Then finally… a free Uber 🎉🎉.

    We walked away with our Uber covered and my hands still shaking from the adrenaline. We’d been at the airport since 10 a.m., and it was now creeping toward 1 a.m. I felt like I’d aged five years in one day.

    The rest of the journey went surprisingly smoothly — or maybe I’d just mentally checked out by then. Honestly, I barely remember boarding. Next thing I knew, I was waking up hours later in Florida, strangely refreshed and mildly confused.

    But it wasn’t over for me yet.

    Later, when I tried to claim compensation for the cancelled flight, I ran into wall after wall. Because I’d booked through a third party, the process was near impossible. Endless forms, follow-up emails that went nowhere, and radio silence when it came to actually getting my refund. I fought hard. I got nowhere.

    Here are the big lessons learned that day:

    • Budget for unexpected costs — delays, transport changes, food, and surprise fees add up fast
    • Stay cautious with budget motels — not all cheap options are equal, especially when traveling alone
    • Book directly with airlines whenever possible — third-party sites can complicate refunds, changes, and compensation.
    • Record important conversations with airline staff (legally) — it could save you from getting shortchanged later..
    • Know your rights — especially around consumer protection and recording laws in the region you’re in.
    • Stay calm during confrontation — politeness + facts = power.
    • Insurance do not want to pay out — aim to get insurance with great reviews for claim ease, i recommend SafetyWing.

    Yes, third-party sites like Kiwi might save you money — if everything goes perfectly. But the moment anything goes wrong, you’re stranded. No help, no answers, no backup plan. Just a long, stressful mess you didn’t sign up for. 

    Out of all my years of travel, this was the worst flying experience I’ve ever had. And that’s saying something.

    After a lot of trial and error, I’ve finally figured out how to find cheap flights without relying on third-party sites — all by using Google Flights and booking direct. If you’re curious how I do it, I’ll be breaking it all down in my next post! 🙂

  • 🤗

    Hey there, and welcome to Nomadic Notes — a digital journal of my journey as I trade routines for the open road. I’m setting off on a long-term backpacking adventure starting October, documenting the places I explore, the people I meet, and the thoughts that trail behind each step. Whether you’re here for travel tips, stories from the road, or a bit of inspiration to take the leap yourself, I’m glad you’re along for the ride. This space is as much about the inner journey as the outer one — so let’s get a little lost, take some notes, and see where we end up.