Travelling can become quite costly if you’re not strategic, but knowing when to book can help reduce the cost of your holiday.
Whether aiming for a winter escape or planning your summer vacation, many travellers seek affordable options to take a much-needed break without breaking the bank.
It’s often believed that there’s a particular day of the week when flights are the cheapest. Rumours suggest that Tuesday is the best day to purchase tickets.
| Website | Overview | Top Features | Unique Tools/Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealzflight | It helps users find and book connecting flights with budget airlines. | – Unique connection options- Flight disruption assistance- Cost-saving multi-carrier routes | Specialized multi-carrier flight options for hard-to-reach destinations. |
| Expedia | Comprehensive travel booking platform covering flights, hotels, and experiences. | – Rewards program- Bundled travel deals- Flexible cancellation policies | Expedia app streamlines booking, and users can earn rewards points for future savings. |
| Google Flights | Google’s flight search tool for quick and intuitive price comparisons. | – Price tracking for fare changes- Date grid for flexible travel planning- Google integration | Integrates with Google Trips for seamless itinerary management. |
| HolidayPirates | Aggregates and curates holiday deals, including flights, hotels, and packages. | – Multi-language support- App for deal alerts- Filters for customized searches | “Pirate Alerts” provide instant notifications about new deals. |
| Hopper | App-based platform predicting the best time to book flights and hotels. | – Price prediction for flights and hotels- In-app booking- Travel tips | “Price Freeze” lets users lock in fares for a period while deciding. |
| Jack’s Flight Club | Subscription service offering cheap flight alerts to members via email or app. | – Personalized alerts- Premium membership for exclusive deals- Focus on rare deals | Specialized in rare discounts and error fares, ideal for frequent and budget-conscious flyers. |
According to some, airlines tend to release sales starting Monday night or Tuesday morning, making these days ideal for booking.
Recent data from Google Flights supports this idea, showing that Tuesday is, on average, 1.3% cheaper than Sunday, the most expensive day to book.
However, booking on Tuesday doesn’t guarantee the lowest fare, as there is no universal” cheapest” day to fly. Airlines operate on dynamic pricing, which means ticket prices fluctuate depending on the number of tickets sold and the time remaining before departure. Predicting the lowest-cost day may be a challenge.
The key to finding the best deal is monitoring prices months in advance and setting up price alerts on travel comparison websites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak.
Skyscanner Savings Generator tool can help travellers determine the best time to book, what day to fly, and how much they can save by booking in advance.
| Website | Overview | Top Features | Unique Tools/Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Flights | Google’s flight search tool for quick and intuitive price comparisons. | – Date grid for flexible travel planning- Price tracking- Integration with Google services | Integrates with Google Trips for itinerary management. |
| Dohop | It helps users find and book connecting flights with budget airlines. | – Unique connection options- Flight disruption assistance- Cost-saving multi-carrier routes | Specialized multi-carrier flight options for hard-to-reach destinations. |
| Secret Flying | Highlights cheap flights and error fares worldwide, updated frequently. | – Dedicated error fare tracking- Region-specific deals- App notifications | Social media alerts for real-time deals with a user-friendly mobile app. |
| Skyscanner | Popular flight search engine for comparing flights, hotels, and car rentals. | – “Everywhere” destination feature- Price alerts- Easy airline comparison | Savings Generator Tool: Helps travellers identify ways to save with flexible travel options. |
| Scott’s Cheap Flights | Like Jack’s Flight Club, this subscription service provides cheap flight alerts. | – Free and premium memberships- Targeted deal notifications- Occasional mistake fares | No mobile app exists, but premium users get exclusive and frequent alerts. |
| Jack’s Flight Club | Subscription service offering cheap flight alerts to members via email or app. | – Personalized alerts- Premium membership for additional deals- Focus on rare deals | Specialized alerts for rare discounts and error fares are perfect for frequent flyers. |
For those wondering which day might be the most affordable to fly, Kayak’ss recent data suggests Tuesday is often the cheapest day to travel internationally, with Wednesday following closely behind.
Google Flights shows a similar trend, revealing that flights booked from Monday through Wednesday are, on average, 13% cheaper than those booked for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Ultimately, booking your flights 3 to 9 months before your departure date is best, as waiting for last-minute deals often leads to higher prices.
Jack’s Flight Club warns that last-minute fares can significantly increase as airlines take advantage of business travellers and others who are less flexible with their plans.
