Travel lovers looking for a budget-friendly holiday should consider booking flights on specific days of the week, according to Skyscanner. The flight, car hire, and hotel search engine has shared insights on the best times to fly for lower fares, ideal for those who can be flexible with their travel dates.
Best Days to Book and Fly
In a blog post, the Skyscanner team revealed that booking flights early in the week often yields better deals. They explained: 'Historically, Skyscanner pricing trends have shown that some airlines release deals late on Mondays, which may lead to lower fares early in the week. Prices tend to rise again as the week progresses and demand increases.' However, they caution against booking flights for a Monday itself. Instead, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the best days to travel for lower fares. 'Skyscanner’s historic search data shows Tuesdays and Wednesdays often offer lower fares, likely due to reduced midweek demand. Flights on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays are often more expensive due to business and weekend travel demand,' the team added.
Dynamic Pricing and Booking Tips
The booking experts noted that airlines typically use dynamic pricing software, meaning prices change frequently due to factors such as demand and cancellations. Skyscanner advises passengers to book one to three months in advance for short-haul flights and two to six months in advance for long-haul flights. While prices can drop closer to departure, they can also rise. Many companies, including Skyscanner, allow customers to set up price alerts to be notified of price drops. Alternatively, passengers can look out for deals on the recommended days.
Kayak's Similar Advice
Kayak, another flight, car hire, and hotel search engine, agrees that weekend travel is usually most expensive. In a blog post, the website said: 'For flights within Europe, KAYAK data recommends flying out on Tuesday and returning on Wednesday. If a one-night trip seems hasty, Thursday is the next cheapest option. Much like travel in the UK, or long-haul, weekend travel is consistently the most expensive.' For long-haul international flights, Kayak noted a midweek dip in prices, with weekends being the most expensive time to fly, particularly Friday–Saturday departures. 'In theory, this means you are most likely to get the lowest price for a week-long international return flight if you fly Wednesday-to-Wednesday. For one-way flights, Tuesday is the cheapest – but only just,' the advice continued.
These tips could help holidaymakers save significantly on airfare, especially during the busy summer season. By choosing midweek travel and booking in advance, travellers can secure more affordable flights and enjoy a budget-friendly holiday.
