Time or money

More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin famously repeated the concept that time is money. It's true throughout life, including travel.

Which is more important to you? It's rare that you'll save both.

In other words, you'll probably find a great airfare rate, but from an airport eight hours away from you, with two or more stops along the way. The return flight might be even worse, leaving at 6 a.m. (which means you'll probably be up at 3 a.m.) and not getting you home until midnight that night.

Looking for something more convenient?

You'll probably find that, too - for a price.

Spend twice the money, and you may fly closer to home, requiring less time off work (if you work) and departing at a time that lets you go to sleep the night before you leave.

The problem is that it takes twice the money.

Decide which is more important to you - time or money - and "shop" accordingly. As a morning person, for example, I'm usually happy to leave earlier in the day. But 8 a.m. is the earliest I'll usually depart, because being there two hours earlier means getting to the airport by 6 a.m.

It's rare that you'll find a 3 p.m. flight at a quarter of the cost of daybreak or red eye flights. Just accept it as part of the grand adventure of travel.