Are you tired of overpaying for flights? Planning the perfect vacation can be a task, especially when finding affordable airfare that fits your schedule.
In this blog, we discuss different topics related to flight bookings, such as the best time to book flight tickets, the best day to book flight tickets, and the best time to book international flights.
Before we move on to the more important topic, let's start with the basics. A simple rule to follow is to book your flight well in advance. Otherwise, the prices will go up.
Per industry standards, one should ideally book domestic flights 28 days and international flights 60 days before their trip. That said, these trends do change with time, but if you want to travel during peak travel periods like summers or festive holidays, book in advance.
The best part about air travel is that you can book your tickets almost a year in advance. So, if you have picked your vacation destination, the best way to save money is to track flight prices on Google Flights or Hopper as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations.
A few years back, people believed booking flights on Tuesday would give them the best deals. This was true for some time, and many airlines opened new offers on Tuesday, which automatically became the best day to book flight tickets.
But now, this advice no longer holds true. According to an analysis by Expedia, Sunday is the cheapest day to book flights. Comparing Sunday flight prices to Friday, Expedia found that travellers save 5% on domestic and 15% on international flights. Since then, Sunday has been the best day to book flight tickets.
Another study by Google had a completely different result. For them, the best days to book flight tickets were Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. However, what stood out was Google's conclusion in releasing these studies, which said that purchasing tickets on a particular day of the week was not of much value.
Honestly, we agree with this too, because the best days to book flight tickets are when you get a good deal, which will not depend on any particular day.
Time is of the essence, and this is very much true when booking flights. While it's hard to pinpoint the best time to book flight tickets, some numbers can come in handy.
• As per Expedia, you should book your international flight at least six months in advance. In return, you will receive a 10% savings, which you could use for other activities during your trip.
• From Google's POV, the best time to book flight tickets is between 50 and 179 days before departure.
• By booking flights in advance, you can take advantage of potential fare drops and receive a voucher for the price difference, which can help you save on future trips.
Good news! When finding the best time to book flight tickets for domestic travel, you don't need to book them so far in advance. However, one suggestion is not to wait until the last minute; otherwise, the price will increase.
Many people like to travel internationally during winter. But be warned: winter travel is expensive. So, if you want to spend your Christmas or New Year in a foreign destination, book tickets in advance.
And the best time to book flight tickets is three to seven months ahead for domestic travel and four to ten months ahead for international travel.
The second favourite season to travel is summer, which is why it's hard to find tickets that fit your budget during this time of the year. Just like your winter travels, the best time to book flight tickets is to do so beforehand, most likely in the opposite season, i.e., winter.
Again, the best time to book flight tickets during peak season is between three and seven months for domestic flights and four to ten months for international trips.
1. Look for different websites and choose the cheapest one, but read all the details carefully before booking your flight ticket.
2. While there is no proven best time to book flight tickets, setting alerts on trackers like Google Flight Tracker and conducting research can be helpful.
3. Be flexible with your vacation planning; while you might want to go to a popular tourist destination, its alternative could also be a great place and money-saver.
4. Browse for flights in incognito because algorithms track your search, so going invisible for a while won't cause much distress.
5. Consider seasonality when booking: travelling in late summer or early fall often offers lower airfare than in peak summer months.
Booking flights can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can secure the best deals. Plan beforehand, be flexible with your travel dates, and use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to find the best time to book flight tickets. Happy travels!
GMR Group's CSR arm, focusing on building social infrastructure and improving the lives of communities near the Group's locations.
.svg){kind=logo}
