
There are many theories about the best day of the week to buy travel tickets, but the simple answer is that there is no single best day.
Historically, travellers have been advised to book flights on Tuesdays to get the best deal. A decade ago, airlines generally launched new sales on Tuesdays, and other airlines were quick to match prices. However, this is no longer the case. Airlines release sales on different days and don't always match their competitors' prices.
According to a 2023 study by Expedia, the cheapest day to book flights is Sunday. When comparing Sunday flight prices to Friday, Expedia found that travellers saved 6% on domestic flights and 13% on international flights. However, an August 2022 study by Google found that purchasing tickets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays resulted in prices that were 1.9% cheaper on average than flights purchased on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ultimately, the best day to book travel depends on a variety of factors, including the day of the week you fly, peak travel seasons, and how far in advance you book.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cheapest day of the week to book a flight | Sunday |
Cheapest day of the week to travel | Wednesday, Saturday, Thursday |
Best day to book a flight | No single day of the week is best to book a flight |
Best day to fly | Mid-week, Saturdays |
What You'll Learn
- The cheapest day of the week to book flights is Sunday
- The best time to book a flight is 3 months in advance for domestic travel and 6 months in advance for international travel
- The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
- The most expensive days to fly are Sundays and Mondays
- The best time to buy a flight is 3 pm on Tuesdays
The cheapest day of the week to book flights is Sunday
While there is no single day of the week that guarantees the cheapest prices for flights, booking on a Sunday can help you save money. According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, travellers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save around 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. This trend has been observed over the past few years, with Sunday being the cheapest day to book flights in 2021, 2022, and 2023 as well.
However, it is important to note that the cheapest day to book flights can vary from week to week, and other factors such as time of travel, destination, and demand also play a significant role in determining flight prices.
Factors Affecting Flight Prices
Flight prices are influenced by a range of factors, including:
- Day of the week: While not always the case, flying on Thursdays and Saturdays tends to be cheaper than flying on Sundays, which is often the most expensive day.
- Time of travel: Morning and evening flights are usually more expensive than those during off-peak hours, such as dawn or overnight.
- Peak and off-peak seasons: Airfare is generally more expensive during peak travel seasons, such as summer and holidays. Travelling during the shoulder seasons or off-peak months can result in significant savings.
- Demand: Higher demand for flights during popular travel periods can lead to increased prices.
- Fuel and labour costs: Changes in fuel prices and labour costs can impact the overall cost of air travel.
- Competition and sales: Airlines often release sales and compete to match prices, which can result in cheaper flights for consumers.
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
To increase your chances of finding cheap flights, consider the following strategies:
- Book on Sundays: Data suggests that booking flights on Sundays can lead to savings compared to booking on other days of the week, especially Fridays.
- Fly mid-week: Departing and returning mid-week, especially on Thursdays, can help you save money on airfare.
- Set price alerts: Use tools like the Hopper app or Google Flights to track airfare prices and get notified when prices drop.
- Avoid peak travel times: In addition to saving money, travelling during off-peak times can result in fewer cancellations and delays.
- Use companion passes: Take advantage of companion passes offered by some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and British Airways.
- Earn airline miles: Sign up for frequent flyer programs or use co-branded airline credit cards to accumulate miles that can be redeemed for future flights.
While there is no guaranteed formula for finding the cheapest flights, being flexible with your travel plans, staying informed about sales and price changes, and booking in advance can increase your chances of securing the best deals.
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The best time to book a flight is 3 months in advance for domestic travel and 6 months in advance for international travel
There is no single best day of the week to buy travel. The best time to book a flight is a combination of luck and strategy. While there's no guarantee of a good deal on a particular day, booking in advance is a good strategy. For domestic travel, the best time to book is 3 months in advance, while for international travel, it is best to book 6 months in advance.
The Best Time to Book a Flight
The best time to book a flight is a result of careful planning and strategy. While there is no sure-fire way to guarantee the cheapest fare, booking in advance is a good strategy. For domestic travel, the best time to book is 3 months in advance. This allows you to save up to 24% compared to last-minute bookings. For international travel, it is recommended to book 6 months in advance, which can result in savings of around 10%.
Booking during peak travel seasons, such as summer or holidays, requires even more advance planning. For Thanksgiving and Christmas flights, it is advisable to book 3 to 4 months in advance to secure the best fares.
The Day of the Week for Buying Travel
Contrary to popular belief, there is no single best day of the week to buy airline tickets. The idea that Tuesdays are the best day to book flights is a myth. Airlines don't just release sales on Tuesdays, and they don't always match their competitors' prices.
However, your chances of finding cheaper flights may be better earlier in the week. Flight prices typically follow a weekly cycle, with the lowest prices offered earlier in the week and the highest prices later in the week.
Tools and Tips for Finding Flight Deals
To find the best flight deals, it is recommended to use flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak. These platforms allow you to track prices, set price alerts, and compare fares across different airlines and dates.
It is also beneficial to be flexible with your travel plans. Consider flying on off-peak days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays, as these are often cheaper. Additionally, avoid peak travel seasons, such as summer or major holidays, as prices tend to be higher during these periods.
In conclusion, while there is no magic day for buying travel, booking in advance and being flexible with your travel plans can significantly increase your chances of finding the best flight deals.
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The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. The cheapest days to fly can vary from week to week and are also dependent on the time of year, with prices surging during peak travel times such as holidays and summer.
The best way to ensure you're getting a good deal is to be flexible with your travel plans and book your flights when you see a deal. You can also use tools like Google Flights and Hopper to set up price alerts, so you're notified when airfares drop.
It's also worth noting that the cheapest day to book your flight is different from the cheapest day to fly. While there is no single rule that applies all the time, data shows that booking on Sundays can save you money.
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The most expensive days to fly are Sundays and Mondays
While there is no single day of the week that is best for buying travel, there are certain days that are more expensive to fly on than others. According to data from Hopper, Sundays and Mondays are the most expensive days to depart for domestic trips. By flying on these days, you can expect to pay around 12% more than the average airfare.
Mondays are also relatively expensive for domestic flights, with only a small saving of around 3% if you depart on a Monday instead of a Sunday.
However, it is important to note that flight prices change constantly and are subject to real-time demand. Therefore, it is always a good idea to be flexible and keep an eye on prices if you want to find the best deals.
In addition to the day of the week, other factors such as peak travel seasons and holidays can also affect flight prices. Traveling during off-peak seasons, such as mid-April to early June and late August to early October, can lead to significant savings.
When booking flights, it is recommended to book in advance to avoid last-minute price surges. For domestic flights, booking one to three months in advance is ideal, while international flights should be booked two to eight months in advance.
By avoiding peak travel days and times, being flexible with travel plans, and booking in advance, travelers can optimize their chances of finding cheaper flights and saving money on their travels.
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The best time to buy a flight is 3 pm on Tuesdays
While there is no definitive answer to the question of the best time to buy a flight, a range of sources suggest that purchasing tickets on Tuesdays, particularly in the afternoon or evening, may result in cheaper prices.
Historically, airlines launched sales on Tuesdays, and competitors would often match these prices by Tuesday evening. However, this practice is no longer standard across the industry.
According to an analysis by Google Flights, booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays resulted in average savings of 1.9% compared to purchasing tickets on Saturdays or Sundays.
Other sources suggest that booking on Sundays can lead to savings of around 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights compared to Fridays.
It is worth noting that flight prices are constantly changing and are influenced by various factors, including demand, fuel costs, labour costs, and competition between airlines.
To summarise, while Tuesday afternoons or evenings may be a good time to purchase flights, it is essential to remain flexible and vigilant in monitoring prices, as deals can arise at any time.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single best day of the week to buy travel. While Tuesdays were historically good days to find flight deals, this is no longer the case. Flight prices are constantly changing, and you can find good deals on any day of the week.
The best time of year to buy travel depends on your destination. For international flights, it's recommended to book around 2-6 months in advance. For domestic flights, you should book at least 3 weeks in advance, ideally 1-3 months.
The best days of the week to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, as these are off-peak days when demand is lower.
Flight prices are largely determined by supply and demand. Prices tend to be higher during peak travel seasons, such as holidays and summer. Fuel costs, labour costs, and labour shortages can also impact flight prices.
To find cheap flights, be flexible with your travel dates and times, set price alerts, avoid peak travel times, use companion passes, and sign up for frequent flyer programs or airline credit cards to earn miles.