Gap Year: Airline Travel Tips

Taking a gap day before or after a trip can help you prepare and recover from travel. When it comes to air travel, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to have a large gap between your flights. Firstly, the best days to fly in terms of price and demand tend to be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Thursdays are also relatively affordable. On the other hand, Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays are typically the most expensive and busiest days to fly.

If you're looking to maximise your gap day, you might want to book a flight that departs or arrives at an unusual time. Very early morning and late-night flights, such as red-eye flights, are often cheaper and less busy. This will give you more time between connections or before your journey home to rest and recuperate.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the time of year can also impact flight prices and demand. Holidays, summer, spring break, and major sporting events tend to be the most expensive and busiest times to fly. So, if you're looking for a large gap between flights, avoid travelling during these peak periods.

By taking advantage of the information above, you can strategically plan your flights to include a large gap day that will allow you to rest and recharge during your travels.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are the cheapest days to fly

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are often the cheapest days to fly. This is because fewer people tend to travel mid-week, as they are reluctant to take time off work. As a result, mid-week flights usually have lower demand and are therefore cheaper. Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive days to fly, as they are popular days for leisure travellers starting their vacations or taking long weekends.

However, it's important to note that flight prices change constantly and can vary depending on the route, season, and other factors. There is no single day of the week that is consistently the cheapest for booking flights. The best day to book a flight is when you find a good deal, and these can pop up at any time.

To find cheap flights, it's recommended to use flight comparison websites like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner, which allow you to set price alerts and view price forecasts. Booking in advance, avoiding peak travel seasons, and being flexible with dates can also help you save money on airfare.

Fly during the shoulder season

Flying during the shoulder season is a great way to save money and avoid crowds. The shoulder season is the period between the high and low seasons of a vacation destination, typically spring and autumn. During these months, you can expect lower prices, fewer crowds, and more pleasant weather.

For example, in the Northern Hemisphere, the shoulder season typically runs from April to May and September to November. This is the time when you can take advantage of lower airfares, with prices up to 50% cheaper than peak season flights. Hotels and accommodations are also cheaper during these months.

Flying during the shoulder season also means you're less likely to encounter long lines and big crowds at airports and attractions. You'll also have a better chance of getting restaurant reservations and tickets to popular attractions without the hassle of waiting in line.

The shoulder season is a great time to visit destinations such as North Africa, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Japan, and the European Alps. For example, Hawaii in early March to May offers resort bargains and smaller waves for surfing and swimming.

In addition to the financial savings and reduced crowds, the shoulder season often provides mild and pleasant weather. For instance, spring and autumn in Europe offer comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds, making it ideal for sightseeing.

So, if you're looking to save money, avoid crowds, and enjoy pleasant weather, consider booking your trip during the shoulder season. You'll be able to explore new places, relax, and create memorable experiences without breaking the bank.

Avoid holiday travel

Holidays are an exciting time, especially when they involve travel. However, holiday travel can be stressful and expensive. Here are some tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of holiday travel:

Book in Advance

Spontaneous trips can be fun, but holidays are not the time for them. Flights and hotels are usually packed during the holidays, and prices increase the closer you get to the holiday itself. For peak winter holiday travel in the United States, it is recommended to book by the end of October for the best deals.

Avoid Peak Travel Times

If possible, try to travel outside of peak times. For example, instead of travelling the day before Thanksgiving, consider travelling on the Monday before. Travelling during off-peak times can save you from crowds and high prices. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often less busy and have cheaper fares since fewer people want to take days off work to fly mid-week.

Be Flexible

A jam-packed schedule during holiday travel can create unnecessary stress. It is important to build in downtime and allow for flexibility in your itinerary. Delays, cancellations, and unexpected changes are common during the holidays, so a rigid schedule will only cause more headaches.

Maintain Healthy Habits

Holiday travel can increase your chances of getting sick due to higher virus activity and more social interactions. To avoid illness, maintain healthy habits such as regular hand washing, especially before meals and after using the toilet. Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep will also reduce your risk of getting sick.

Prepare a Travel Health Kit

In addition to your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, pack items that may be difficult to find at your destination. This could include a mask, insect repellent, sunscreen, aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and water disinfection tablets. Check the CDC's destination pages for specific information on what vaccines, medicines, and health risks to be aware of for your location.

By following these tips, you can avoid the common mistakes of holiday travel and ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Pack light and wash clothes frequently

Packing light and washing your clothes while travelling is a great way to save money and stay mobile. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Packing Light

• Stick to the 1-2-3-4-5-6 rule: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 pairs of socks, and 6 pairs of underwear. This should last you for two weeks.
• Customise your packing list to include specific items for your trip, such as swimwear or rainwear.
• Limit yourself to no more than seven days' worth of clothing. Get used to re-wearing clothes—no one really notices or cares.
• Choose clothing that serves multiple purposes and is lightweight and quick-drying. For example, a sarong can be used as a towel, picnic blanket, or skirt.
• Pick a simple colour palette so you can easily mix and match tops and bottoms for different outfits.
• Only pack what you need. Make a packing checklist and then cut that list in half. If you're not sure you'll need something, don't take it. You can always buy, rent, or find most things at your destination.
• Choose the right luggage: think small and light. Aim for one carry-on bag if possible.
• Use packing organisers like packing cubes, stuff sacks, or compression bags to maximise space and keep your things organised.
• Prepare for lost bags: always keep your essentials like your passport, money, eyewear, and medication with you in your carry-on bag.

Washing Clothes While Travelling

• Do your research and consider the different laundry options available to you, such as hotel services, laundromats, or local laundry services.
• If using hotel laundry services, get the hotel laundry bag, check the price list, fill out the guest laundry card, and leave your clothes for housekeeping to pick up.
• If washing clothes in your hotel room, pre-rinse your clothes, fill the sink or bathtub with water and soap, wash your clothes, drain the dirty water, and repeat until the water runs clear.
• When using a laundromat, bring change to operate the machines, laundry detergent, and fabric softener.
• For local laundry services, choose a location, check the pricing, specify what work you want to be done, and arrange for pick-up or delivery of your clothing.
• If travelling by campervan or RV, consider purchasing a mini washing machine or using full-size products if you have the space.
• Use travel laundry detergent sheets instead of liquid detergent to save space.
• Use a laundry bag for dirty clothes to keep them separate from clean ones and make it easier to transport them for washing.
• Use a wash bag to protect your delicate garments during washing, such as bras, underwear, and swimsuits.
• Bring a travel clothesline to dry your clothes, especially if you're washing them in your hotel room.
• Bring a sink stopper as many hotels no longer have them, and you'll need it to fill up the sink or bathtub for washing clothes.

Book flights in advance

Booking your flights in advance is a great way to save money on your travels. While there is no definitive answer on the cheapest day of the week to book a flight, there are certain trends that you can follow to ensure you get the best deal.

Firstly, it is important to note that the day of the week you book your ticket does not impact the price. However, the days of the week on which you choose to travel will. Choosing a less popular travel day will allow you to book a cheaper ticket. For domestic flights, Wednesdays, followed by Tuesdays, are the least expensive days to fly. Fridays and Sundays are the priciest. For international flights, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest days to depart.

The best time to book your flight depends on your destination. For flights to destinations in North America, book between three weeks and 2.5 months before your departure date. For international flights, you should start monitoring prices six to seven months before your trip and book it three to five months in advance. This is a big change from 2022 data, which showed that booking four to six months in advance secured the cheapest fares. However, in 2023, data revealed that people who booked that far in advance paid more on average.

It is also important to consider seasonal changes and holidays, which can create price fluctuations. For example, fall is the second busiest travel season in the US, but you can usually find decent deals if you book 55 days in advance. Thanksgiving week is an exception, and you should book this trip earlier. Winter is the most affordable season to fly, with January being the cheapest month. For spring travel, March and April tend to have more expensive flights than May, so booking 44 days in advance will help you get the best deal. Summer is the most popular season for American travel, and you should book your flights 35 days in advance to get the best prices.

In addition to considering the time of year and the day of the week, there are a few other strategies you can use to find cheap flights. Firstly, be flexible with your destination, airport, and dates. Using Google Flights, you can search for cheaper places to go by leaving the destination field blank. You can also check nearby airports and use the calendar view to find lower prices on different dates. Another strategy is to set a price alert on a travel search engine like Google Flights or Hopper, which will notify you when the price drops. Finally, consider using a travel rewards credit card, which can help you earn miles or points that you can apply to savings on future flights.

Frequently asked questions