With the August bank holiday approaching, last-minute holidaymakers may still find bargains, according to travel expert Chris Bradshaw. He suggests that this weekend could be the prime time to book for the cheapest deals.
Sunday Bookings Offer Significant Savings
Chris Bradshaw, a travel bookings expert for AttractionTickets.com, revealed that data from the brand identified Sundays as the best days to book for maximum savings over the bank holiday weekend. The bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31.
According to Chris, Sundays, including this weekend at 6am on August 16, are key. He explained: "Taking a look at our own analysis of pricing trends, and wider industry data, we can see that Sundays consistently stand out as one of the best days, value-wise, to make a booking. This is likely due to Airlines refreshing inventory over the weekend. We also know there’s real data to back this up, and it’s known across our industry that booking on a Sunday can save 23% in comparison to Friday bookings - which is a lot of money, especially if you’re holidaying as a family."
Early Morning Bookings Increase Chances
If you miss the early slot, another opportunity arises on August 23, again at 6am. Chris added: "Whilst it’s not guaranteed, we know that many flight providers release fresh fares early in the morning. If I wanted a good deal, I’d be online at around 6am to find the best ones before booking activity increases. This is likely going to give you the best chance for finding a good offer."
Although Chris stressed that "nothing is ever guaranteed", data suggests Sundays are optimal. Avoid Fridays, when fares tend to spike due to increased demand.
Secret Last-Minute Window and September Travel
Chris also shared a "secret last-minute travel window" for great deals: booking 8 to 23 days before departure generally delivers the most competitive fares, including for long-haul destinations like Florida.
September has been dubbed 2026's 'super' travel month. ABTA's Travel Trends report for 2026 noted September's growing popularity due to warmer weather and "good value breaks" outside peak school holidays. However, some destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico may have cheaper rates because September falls during rainier seasons, so sunshine is not guaranteed.
