When is the best time to book flights?

Are you wondering when is the best time to book flights? We’ve crunched the numbers so you can save on holiday costs.

Whether you are off to one of the most expensive cities in the world or grabbing a cheap last-minute holiday, it’s worth keeping an eye out for when airfare prices dip. But getting a great deal on flights is just the beginning - make sure you also get the best travel money deals, use the best cards for travel, and get travel insurance that’s right for you.

These tips could help save you hundreds.

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When is the best time to book flights?

Knowing the right time to book flights will mean you get the most bang for your buck, plus it can help you get maximum comfort when travelling. But it’s not always straightforward – there are plenty of factors to consider when you book your flight.

When’s the best month to book flights? 

If you’re looking for the cheapest month to book your summer holiday, then it is best to start looking for flights in February and try to book around three to five months in advance, according to travel rewards website The Points Guy.

If you’re trying to find the best month to book your flights outside of summer you should wait until closer to your ideal departure date, according to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks report.

The ideal booking window for domestic flights is around 34-86 days before you plan on jetting off for domestic flights and 18-29 days for international travel, data crunched by the travel tech firm shows.

Surprisingly, the best month to travel in is August, Expedia said, as jet-setters are able to get average savings of 12%. Meanwhile, holidaymakers should try to avoid travelling in March as Expedia found it was the most expensive month to travel in.

The best days to book tend to be Sundays as you may be able to find savings of around 6% for domestic flights and 17% for international flights. The research suggests you should avoid booking on Mondays and Fridays as flights tend to be more expensive on these days.

Booking a holiday in February could also be a good option as Expedia says it is the quietest month in the year for travel. In addition, the quietest day to book is Tuesday so if you travel on this day in February you may have a slightly more relaxing travel experience.

Many airlines also significantly cut their prices on the same day as the departure in order to fill seats, so bargain-hunters who have flexibility could potentially find cheap flights this way. However, there’s no guarantee this will be the case.

How early should you book flights? 

As previously noted, Expedia’s data-crunching shows that if you want to save on your air fare then the ideal booking window for international flights is around one month before you are set to take off.

For domestic flights, this increases to between 34 to 86 days before departure, so it is a good idea to start monitoring plane fares well in advance to find the best deal.

The Points Guy notes that if you’re using points or air miles, different criteria may apply, as “airlines often open award space for coveted business and first-class seats either when the schedules open or at the last minute”.

When is the best day to book flights?

There’s no definitive best day to book a flight, as it varies with demand, season, destination, and other factors.

This being said, Expedia’s data shows that booking flights on a Sunday can save you more money than if you were to book on another day. While this isn’t an exact science, flights tend to be pricier during high-demand periods and cheaper during off-peak times.

How to find the cheapest flights

Booking flights doesn’t have to break the bank. Aside from knowing how to time your flight bookings, there are more tips and tricks to help you find the best deals.

Track flight prices

If you’re already clear on your travel itinerary, then it’s worth using tools like Google Flights tracker or Skyscanner Price Alerts to monitor ticket price fluctuations. This way, you’ll know the best time to pounce on a great deal.

You can also make use of travel price comparison websites like Kayak, Skyscanner and Booking.com to help you find cheap deals instantly. Skyscanner’s Savings Generator tool can also help holidaymakers discover the best time to book tickets for popular destinations.

Use reward points 

Frequent flyers may want to leverage reward cards such as American Express credit cards or Barclaycard. These reward credit cards let you collect points that can significantly reduce your flight costs.

If you’re travelling by British Airways, Avios points can reduce the price of your flight, potentially even slashing it to just £1. Find out how the British Airways £1 flight scheme with Avios works.

Be flexible

While this is sometimes easier said than done, flexibility can be a game-changer when you travel. This includes avoiding flying on weekends or peak times, and trying to steer clear of major holiday periods like Easter and Christmas or school holidays. Adjusting your schedule around these busy times can shave off a lot of money from your holiday costs.

Book a flight with a layover

If you’re booking a long-haul flight, consider adding a layover or two as a cheaper alternative. A short stopover can break up the journey and allow you to stretch your legs, while a longer layover might let you do a whirlwind tour of a new city.

Mix and match airports

Another trick is to choose a secondary airport – so, rather than Heathrow, you may find it cheaper to fly from Gatwick, Luton or Stansted. It can cut costs and help you avoid the long security queues.

This option only really works with very well-connected cities. Otherwise, you may find yourself jetting into remote airports in the middle of nowhere and paying more for taxis to reach your destination.

Ultimately, the best time to book flights hinges on a mix of timing, flexibility and smart planning. Whether you're off on a family vacation or a solo adventure, with a bit of effort, you can secure the best deals and allocate more of your budget to the experiences that make your trip unforgettable.