Finding cheap flights can sometimes feel like trying to solve a jigsaw without all the pieces, thanks largely to fluctuating prices, myth-filled websites and heaps of outdated advice.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to save money, which is why we’ve looked at travel data reports from Expedia, Cheap Air, Google Flights – so you don’t have to – pulling together a simple and straightforward guide, packed with helpful advice.
Looking to book a flight this year? Keep reading for our top tips on when to book, when to fly and how to save money in the process...
What’s the cheapest day to book a flight?
If you’ve ever heard that Tuesday is the best day to book the cheapest flights, you’re not alone. This outdated advice is down to some airlines historically releasing new tickets on Monday nights and giving travellers better deals in the morning.
Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks report, which looks at five years of global flight-booking data, shows that Sunday (not Tuesday) is actually the best day for finding more affordable tickets – especially for long-haul, international flights and flights departing midweek.
The reason being that airlines adjust their prices based on demand and Sundays tend to see fewer business travellers – which can have a knock-on effect for leisure travellers.
Google's 2024 Travel Trends report, which uses more recent U.S.-specific data, finds that Sunday is actually the most expensive day to book, but not by much.
In truth, while Expedia’s recommendations likely hold truest at a global level, flight prices are constantly fluctuating, as websites adjust prices based on a range of factors, including demand, local weather and seasonality.
What’s the cheapest day to fly?
This varies, depending on who you ask and the data they’re using.
Google’s U.S. data tells us that flying at the start of the week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) tends to cost less, while a similar report by Cheap Air, also using U.S. data, tells us that Wednesday is the best day to travel for lower airfares – with Expedia’s global data pointing to Thursday as the cheapest day of them all.
Generally, midweek flights tend to see lower demand from both business and leisure travellers, leading to lower prices and – as a bonus – a quieter airport experience.
Yet the one thing all three reports agree on is that flying at the weekend will likely cost you extra, with Expedia and Cheap Air specifically singling out Sunday as the priciest day to travel.
In short, weekends and Fridays are peak travel days, especially for popular holiday destinations – expect higher fares and a busier, more time-consuming airport experience.
Best tips for booking cheap flights
1. Set up free price alerts
Platforms like Google Flights and Skyscanner can track prices and notify you when airfares start to drop, keeping you updated on pricing patterns and the best time to book (giving you peace of mind that you’re getting the best possible deal).
We also recommend keeping an eye on promotional sales and midweek flight deals – both airlines and travel sites occasionally hold flash sales, so it’s worth signing up for their newsletters and social media, and checking in periodically if you have some flexibility with travel dates.
2. Be flexible with your dates
Having some flexibility in your itinerary can also help save you money when it counts. Most travel websites will give you the option of searching for tickets with a few days of flex either side – this can often contribute to your overall savings.
Travel site Kayak goes one step further – its popular Explore feature lets you see the cheapest future ticket for hundreds of destinations around the world, allowing you to explore their entire map by price (rather than focusing on a single destination), broadening the possibilities of where you might go.
3. Fly to and from smaller airports
Flying into and out of hub airports will always cost you more. Instead, consider using smaller, peripheral airports, which are often served by budget airlines. While these may be further away from city centres, they’ll still have public transport connections and prove cheaper to travel to, overall.
4. Look for the loopholes
Beyond comparing ticket prices and airlines, check out the differences between buying two one-way tickets vs return trips, use VPNs to see how much the same tickets cost from your destination and keep an eye out for changes in price when you pay in different currencies.
5. Go Incognito
Many travel websites use cookies to monitor your searches and may adjust prices when they detect repeated interest in a specific route. By switching to incognito or private browsing mode, you can ensure you’re seeing the most accurate fares without the influence of your search history.
6. Join a points programme
If you’re a frequent flyer, make sure you’re signing up for airline (and hotel) points programmes. Over time, these build up and can help bring down costs of future flights and stays. Even if you’re a less frequent flyer, these programmes can still prove useful over time, at no extra cost to you.
Many credit cards have existing affiliate programmes with airlines, travel sites and hotel chains, so make sure you’re clued up on what’s available to you, to maximise your points and savings.
7. Book your flights well in advance
Last-minute purchases can often mean much higher fares – especially for popular routes. While airlines do occasionally release last-minute deals (to fill unsold seats), these can’t be counted on.
If you’re flexible with your schedule, you can sometimes snap up a great deal within a few weeks (or even days) of your travel date, but this approach risks pricey, last-minute fares if nothing suitable comes through.
Instead, the best approach to maximising your savings is to book your flight 2-3 months in advance for domestic trips and 4-6 months for international travel. Expedia’s research suggests that this sweet spot offers the perfect balance of availability and price – especially for travellers wanting the best deal without the gamble.
While seasonal differences exist, with summer offering far more flexibility and choice than other months, the best deals are almost always caught early.
8. The sales
Take note of major promotional events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday. These massive retail shopping events aren’t just for gadgets and gifts; airlines also join in with excellent flight promotions, especially for early planners or flexible travellers. Travel Tuesday is a newer event but growing fast. It occurs the day after Cyber Monday, and many airlines and travel companies offer lots of exclusive airfare discounts on this day alone.
Beyond these well-known sales days, there are additional opportunities to find discounted flights:
New Year and Post-Holiday Sales
Early January is a prime time for deals, as airlines look to fill seats during slower travel months.
Seasonal Sales
Keep an eye on end-of-summer or mid-year sales, where airlines often discount travel for the next season.
Shoulder Seasons
Travelling during the off-peak times between high seasons (e.g., spring and fall for many destinations) often means lower prices on flights and accommodations.
TL;DR
Research shows that Sunday is likely the best day to book flights, and travelling earlier in the week could also save you money, but nothing is 100% guaranteed – prices will always fluctuate and adjust according to demand.
The only surefire way to keep costs down involves booking well in advance of your travel date (on average, 2-3 months for domestic flights and 4-6 months for international).
Allowing for flexibility on either side and making the most of travel sites’ free price alerts can also help to maximise savings.
Keep these tips in mind when you’re next looking for flights and you’ll soon find the savings you’re after without too much hassle.
One final money-saving tip, wherever you’re heading...
You can make your money go even further by ensuring you buy an eSIM before you travel. Here at Sim Local, we help you find the right travel eSIM for your budget and destination, so you can avoid unwanted roaming fees and stay connected throughout your trip.
Head to our homepage to select your destination and explore our range of eSIM plans.
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