How to find cheaper flights from Dhaka without the catches

Airfares from Dhaka can swing a long way for the same seat on the same route. Some of that is luck, but much of it comes down to when you book, how flexible you are and how carefully you read what you're buying. The cheapest fare on the screen isn't always the cheapest trip. Here is how to pay less without walking into the usual traps.

Book early for Eid and the winter holidays

Demand from Dhaka peaks around both Eids, school holidays and the winter season, when families travel and expatriate workers fly home and back. Seats in the lower fare classes sell first, so the price climbs as the date approaches. If your trip falls in one of these windows, book as soon as your dates are firm rather than waiting for a last-minute deal. On these routes, it rarely comes.

• Watch for the days just before and after Eid, when outbound and return flights both fill up.
• For Umrah, the busy months around Ramadan are in high demand, so plan well ahead.
• Outside the peaks, you usually have more time and more choice.

Be flexible with dates and times

Moving your departure by a day or two can make a real difference. Midweek flights are often cheaper than Thursday or Friday departures, when many people start a holiday. Very early morning or late night flights can also cost less. If you can, ask to see fares across a few days either side of your preferred date before you decide.

Direct or one-stop: hubs worth knowing

A direct flight saves time and hassle, but a one-stop routing is often cheaper, especially on longer journeys. From Dhaka, the main connecting points are the Gulf hubs, such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, for Europe, Africa and North America, and Asian hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok for East Asia and Australia.

When you compare, look at the total travel time and the length of the layover, not just the price. A very short connection can be stressful, and a very long one can mean a night in a terminal. Also check whether a transit visa is needed for the connecting country, since rules depend on the airport and your passport, and they change. We check this for you when we book.

Keep the whole journey on one ticket where possible. If a first flight is delayed, the airline is then responsible for getting you onto the next one.

Read the fare rules before you pay

Two tickets on the same flight can come with very different rules. Before you choose the cheapest, look at the conditions behind it:

1. Changes: Can you move the date, and is there a fee plus any fare difference?
2. Refunds: Is the ticket refundable, partly refundable or not at all?
3. No-show: What happens if you miss a flight? Often the rest of the ticket is cancelled.
4. Name and passport details: These must match your passport exactly, as corrections can be costly.

If your plans aren't fixed, such as a visa still being processed or a work trip that could shift, a slightly dearer fare with free or cheap changes can save you money in the end.

Why a cheap fare with no baggage can cost more

Some low fares include only a cabin bag. Others carry a small checked allowance, and the rules differ between airlines and even between fare types on the same airline. If you're travelling with family, carrying gifts or moving for study or work, adding bags later, or paying at the airport, can easily wipe out the saving. Compare fares with the baggage you actually need included, and buy extra allowance ahead rather than at check-in, where it is usually dearer. Our baggage allowance guide explains what your ticket is telling you.

Softway Travels can compare routes, fare rules and baggage for you, and book the option that suits your trip. Visit our flights page to tell us where you're going.