Booking Your Flight

Whether you’re exploring Futurism and Sustainability in Abu Dhabi and Dubai or discovering Tradition and Innovation in Tokyo and Kyoto, one of your first steps is booking a flight. For many, this is your first time flying abroad—an exciting milestone! To make it easier, we’ve put together tips and best practices to help you save money and travel smart.

Overview

  • Arrival in Japan/UAE: Saturday, March 15th, 2025

    • Note: Due to time changes, your flight will likely depart from the USA on Friday, March 14th, 2025.

  • Departure from Japan/UAE: Saturday, March 22nd, 2025

    • Note: Due to time changes, your flight will likely depart from the Japan/the UAE and arrive in the USA on the same day, Saturday March 22nd.

    • Students will need to book their flights to leave from Haneda Airport after 12:00 pm on March 22nd to allow for ample travel time to the airport from Kyoto. World Walker will not be held responsible for additional travel arrangements for students who book flights outside of this timeframe.

  • Japan: Haneda International Airport

  • UAE: Dubai International Airport

1. Start Your Search Early

Flight prices fluctuate, and waiting too long could cost you. Start researching 2–4 months before your trip for the best prices. If you’re traveling during a busy season (like cherry blossom season in Japan or holidays in the UAE), consider booking even earlier.

2. Compare Flight Options

Don’t settle for the first price you see! Use flight comparison websites like:

  • Google Flights: A great starting point to compare prices across airlines.

  • Skyscanner: Offers flexible date searches to find the cheapest travel days.

  • Momondo: Delivers detailed pricing trends.

These tools let you filter by price, layovers, and travel time, so you can pick what works best for you.

3. Flexibility Pays Off

Check for flights at odd hours—early mornings or late nights- these may not be the most comfortable hours to hop on a flight, but often times these flights come at a better price than the alternative.

4. Set Fare Alerts

Don’t want to keep checking prices? Set up fare alerts on Google Flights or Hopper. These tools notify you with an email when prices drop, so you can book at the perfect time. Set the alert today, and then book when you notice a great deal!

5. Mind the Details

Before clicking “book,” pay attention to:

  • Layovers: Avoid connections that are too short (risk of missing your next flight) or too long (extra travel fatigue).

  • Luggage Policies: Budget airlines may have hidden fees for checked or carry-on luggage.

  • Refund and Change Policies: Look for flights with flexibility in case your plans shift.

6. Double Check your Airports

When booking, note your departure and arrival airports. For example, Tokyo has Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports. We will be flying in and out of Haneda Airport. Students are welcome to book in and out of Narita airport, however World Walker will NOT be providing transportation to or from Narita. (Narita is two hours outside of Tokyo!!).

7. Save Big with Student Discounts

As a student, you may qualify for discounts. Platforms like StudentUniverse offer reduced fares for students traveling internationally. Have your student ID ready to take advantage of savings!

8. Stay Organized

Once booked, save your itinerary, booking confirmation, and e-ticket in an easy-to-access folder, and Share it with World Walker. Apps like TripIt or Google Drive can help keep everything in one place.

***important note***

Want to arrive early, or stay longer? No problem! Participants are welcome to book their flights to arrive and leave on different dates than those listed on the itinerary. Typically, students do this to either 1) save money or 2) have extra time in-country. World Walker is happy to be flexible with variable flight itineraries, however please keep the following in mind:

World Walker will only provide transportation when picking up students from the airports in Japan and Dubai on Saturday, March 15th and when returning students to the airport on Saturday, March 22nd. Students who travel to different airports or different dates will be responsible for their own transportation. Additionally, students will be responsible for their own accommodations for any additional travel.

Final Thoughts

Booking your first international flight can feel overwhelming, but it’s a critical step toward your transformative journey. At World Walker, we believe in empowering you to navigate the world independently. Armed with these tips, you’ll not only save money but also build confidence in your travel planning skills.

Get ready for an adventure that will inspire and shape your future! See you on the plane to Tokyo or Dubai!

Ready to walk the world? 🛫

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