Booking Your Flight

General
Written By World Walker

Whether you’re exploring Heritage & Horizons in Panama or immersing yourself in Traditions & Tides in Portugal, one of your first steps is booking your flight. For many students, this will be your first time traveling internationally—an exciting milestone!

To support a smooth experience, we’ve outlined flight guidance, best practices, and important considerations to help you travel smart, stay on budget, and arrive ready to engage fully in the program.

Overview

Traditions & Tides — Portugal

Arrival Airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)

Arrival Date: Saturday, March 14

Due to time changes, flights will typically depart the U.S. on Friday, March 13

Preferred arrival window: 8:00–10:00 AM (local time) to support group coordination

Departure Date: Saturday, March 21

Preferred departure: Before noon from Lisbon (LIS)

Heritage & Horizons — Panama

Arrival Airport: Tocumen International Airport (PTY)

Program start: Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 PM

Students must arrive before 6:00 PM on Saturday to participate in opening programming

Arrival options:

Friday, March 13 or Saturday, March 14

*Lodging is not provided for Friday night, students must secure their own accommodations

**Dorm check-in expected to begin around 3:00 PM

Departure Date: Saturday, March 21

Preferred departure: Before noon from Panama City (PTY)

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 Spring Break, 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. Make sure you’re booking the correct airport, World Walker will not provide transportation for arrivals into alternate airports.:

  • Portugal: Lisbon (LIS)

  • Panama: Panama City (PTY)

7. Save Big with Student Discounts

Students may qualify for reduced fares through platforms such as StudentUniverse. Have your student ID ready and review all booking terms carefully.

8. Before you book

You should confirm the following:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months after travel

  • Name on ticket matches your passport exactly

  • Arrival aligns with your program’s timing guidance

  • Copy of your itinerary saved (PDF or screenshot)

9. Stay Organized

Once booked, save your itinerary, booking confirmation, and e-ticket in an easy-to-access folder, and Share it with WorldWalker. Apps like TripIt or Google Drive can help keep everything in one place. Next, you should start the search for travel insurance.

***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. WorldWalker 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 Panama and Portugal on Saturday, March 14th and when returning students to the airport on Saturday, March 21nd. 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 Panama or Portugal!

Ready to walk the world? 🛫

World Walker
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