Quick methods for budget-friendly last-minute travel plans

Savvy Travel: When to Book Your Flights for the Best Deals

Are you planning a holiday but unsure when to book your flights for the best prices? Here's a breakdown of when to book your domestic and international flights to save money.

According to data, the best time to book a flight is no more than four months before. For domestic flights, booking around 21 to 52 days before departure—around 38 days on average—tends to provide the lowest prices. On the other hand, international flights are usually cheapest when booked 50 to 101 days in advance, ideally as early as possible[1][4].

Last-minute bookings—generally within seven days or less before departure—are usually more expensive than booking early. Airlines often raise prices close to departure to capitalize on urgent travelers, especially business travelers who need flexibility[2][3]. Although last-minute deals sometimes occur if airlines need to fill empty seats, these are unpredictable and rare, making last-minute booking a gamble[2][3].

If you must book last-minute, tools like flight comparison sites and alerts can help spot rare last-minute deals. However, early booking remains the best strategy for savings[3][4][5].

For those who are flexible with their travel dates, opting for indirect flights for long-haul travel can result in significant price differences. Alternatively, consider going somewhere that isn't known for its great weather, like Iceland or Scandinavia[6].

When it comes to finding the best deals, it's important to be aware that prices can vary by route. For instance, the price for a short-haul return flight (Luton-Lisbon) is £167 when booked one week in advance. On the other hand, the price for a long-haul return flight (London-NYC) is £591 when booked one week in advance[7].

Remember, when traveling, it's crucial to choose travel insurance and find the best debit and credit cards to use. Also, traveling outside of peak times can make your city break cheaper. For example, many destinations around Europe, including Switzerland, Berlin, and Copenhagen hit their peak season in winter, with prices potentially sky-high[8].

In summary, budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet often have flash sales, but only if you have their apps or have signed up to their mailing lists. Downloading the Ryanair and easyJet apps can help find cheaper last-minute flights. The best time to book a flight, compared to last-minute booking, is generally several weeks to months in advance.

Table: Best Time to Book Flights

| Flight Type | Best Time to Book | Last-Minute Booking Impact | |------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Domestic | 21 to 52 days (about 1-2 months) | Usually more expensive, less chance of deals | | International | 50 to 101 days (about 2-3+ months) | Often significantly more expensive | | Last-Minute (7 days or less) | Not recommended except rare deals | Prices typically increase due to demand |

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/jan/16/when-to-book-flights-in-2019-to-get-the-best-deals [2] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-truth-about-last-minute-deals-528v3j69x [3] https://www.which.co.uk/travel/article/best-time-to-book-flights/when-to-book-a-flight-for-the-best-price [4] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/when-to-book-flights-for-the-best-deals/ [5] https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/8318162/secret-to-getting-cheap-flights-revealed/ [6] https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/jan/22/how-to-find-the-cheapest-holiday-deals-this-year [7] https://www.skyscanner.net/transport-guide/UK/en-GB/flights/london-luton-airport/lisbon-portela-airport/2022-04-15/2022-04-29 [8] https://www.which.co.uk/travel/article/cheapest-days-to-travel-and-when-to-book-your-holiday/when-to-book-a-holiday-for-the-best-deal

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