The Cheapest Days to Fly: How to Save More on Your Next Trip

Finding the least expensive days to fly can make a huge difference to your holiday budget, and the good news is that airfare isn’t as unpredictable as it seems. With airlines following clear booking patterns and demand trends throughout the week, certain days consistently offer better value than others. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a long-haul escape, knowing when to book — and when to travel — can help you save a small fortune before you’ve even left the ground. In this article, we’ll break down the least expensive days to fly, why prices fluctuate, and how you can secure the best possible fare.

How does flight pricing actually work?

If you’ve ever hunted for cheap flights and thought, “These prices make no sense!” — you’re not alone. It often feels random, but airlines aren’t just guessing. They use clever dynamic pricing systems that constantly adjust fares based on demand, competition, seat availability, and operating costs.

Every flight has several fare classes, even within economy. These classes come with different levels of flexibility, baggage allowances, seating options, and change rules. The cheapest fare classes are limited, so once those sell out, you’ll only see higher prices. Airlines also look at how likely different passengers are to pay more — business travellers, holidaymakers, last-minute bookers — and adjust fares accordingly.

Behind the scenes, sophisticated software monitors everything: booking patterns, competitor prices, fuel costs, seasonal demand, and more. That’s why fares can change multiple times in a single day.

Key factors that influence flight prices

Seasonality
Just like train fares and hotel prices, flights follow seasonal trends. Understanding high, low, and shoulder seasons can help you grab a better deal.

• High season = peak demand. Think school holidays, summer trips, and major events. Prices rise because everyone wants to travel.

• Shoulder season = the sweet spot. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) in Europe offer cheaper fares, fewer crowds, and lovely weather.

• Low season = quiet periods. Expect lower prices, but also shorter days or colder weather depending on your destination.

Route popularity
Some routes — like London to New York — are always in demand and often pricier, especially at peak times. Meanwhile, flights to quieter or lesser-known destinations tend to be cheaper. And where multiple airlines battle on the same route, fares usually drop thanks to competition.

Why timing matters more than the day of the week

Remember the old “book on a Tuesday afternoon” travel hack? Sadly, that ship has sailed. Airlines don't release fares on specific days anymore. Prices now change constantly as algorithms respond to market conditions in real time.

What does matter is booking within the ideal window: not too early (when the priciest fares are often on sale), but not too late either (when only a few seats remain). You’re looking for the point where demand, availability, and price briefly align — and that varies by destination.

Common flight-booking myths (and the truth)

“Tuesday is the cheapest day to book flights”
This was true years ago when airlines updated fares weekly, often on Tuesdays. But today, prices shift multiple times a day. There’s no single cheapest day of the week for booking.

“August 23rd is the cheapest day of the year to buy flights”
“National Cheap Flight Day” is a fun idea, but it’s not reliable. Different airlines and routes behave differently, and prices are influenced by real-time demand — not the calendar. Great deals can pop up any day of the year.

“Booking late at night gives you the lowest prices”
This myth came from the days when airlines updated fares manually. Now everything is automated, so time of day doesn’t make a noticeable difference.

“Use incognito mode to get cheaper flights”
Good news: airlines don’t raise prices because you’ve searched before. Cookies and browsing history don’t affect the fare you see. Price changes usually happen because someone else bought a ticket or the system updated automatically.

“Fare predictions are always accurate”
Fare trackers are useful, but they’re not perfect. They’re based on past trends, not guaranteed future prices. Treat them as guidance, not certainty.

The golden rules of knowing when to book flights

Booking flights can feel like a guessing game, but timing genuinely does matter. Get it right and you can save a small fortune. Get it wrong and you could end up paying far more than you need to. Here’s how to make timing work in your favour.

The “Goldilocks Window” — not too early, not too late

Every trip has a sweet spot for booking — the Goldilocks Window. It’s the period when prices are usually at their lowest and there are still plenty of seats to choose from.

For most short-haul trips within Europe, that window tends to be a few months before departure. For long-haul international flights, you’ll often find the best prices anywhere from two to eight months ahead, depending on the destination and season. Too early and you’ll often see higher “early bird” prices. Too late and the cheap seats are long gone.

When you should book earlier than usual

Some trips break the rules entirely. You’ll want to book well ahead if you’re travelling during:

• Christmas, Easter, or school holidays

• Summer peak travel

• Major global events (like the Olympics or World Cup)

• Busy long-haul seasons, such as winter trips to Southeast Asia or Australia

For these kinds of trips, booking 4–10 months ahead for international routes — and 3–5 months for European ones — is often the safest bet. The more rigid your travel dates, the earlier you should book. If you must be somewhere at a certain time, don’t wait.

The truth about last-minute deals

Sadly, the golden age of last-minute bargains is behind us. Airlines now know they can charge more for last-minute seats — especially since business travellers and people with urgent plans are willing to pay a premium.

You might still see the occasional last-minute offer, usually on midweek flights or quieter routes, but they’re not reliable. Prices typically climb sharply in the final three weeks before departure, so betting on a last-minute steal is usually a risky strategy.

Save time with simple price monitoring

Instead of repeatedly refreshing flight comparison websites, set up price alerts. They’ll notify you when fares drop so you’re ready to book as soon as a good deal appears. Setting alerts for multiple travel dates and nearby airports (like flying from Gatwick instead of Heathrow, or Manchester instead of Liverpool) widens your options and can uncover excellent savings.

The best day to book a flight (and what really matters)

If you’ve ever tried to hunt down cheap flights, you’ve probably noticed prices bouncing around from one day to the next. The good news? You can find great deals any day of the week — prices change constantly because demand changes constantly.

That said, data suggests that Sunday tends to be the best day to book if you’ve got the flexibility. According to 2025 reports:

• UK travellers booking international flights could save up to 17% by booking on a Sunday

• For domestic flights, savings average around 6% compared to booking on a Monday or Friday

But here’s the real secret: When you book matters far more than what day of the week you book.

Airlines adjust prices throughout the day based on demand, competition, and how well a route is selling. So the best strategy is to stay flexible, keep an eye on fares, and act when you spot a good deal.

Is there a cheapest day to book flights?

Short answer: not really. Flight prices can change at any time, and no single day guarantees a deal.

Some older Skyscanner trends have shown that airlines sometimes push out lower fares on Monday nights, which can make early-week prices look slightly better — but it’s not reliable enough to plan around.

Tip: Set up Price Alerts so you’re notified the moment prices drop on your chosen route. That way, you’ll never miss a bargain.

When do flight prices usually drop?

Because airlines use dynamic pricing, fares rise and fall based on what’s happening behind the scenes — and sometimes for reasons nobody sees coming. But there are common situations where prices drop:

• Lower demand: If a route isn’t selling well, airlines reduce fares to fill seats.

• Cancellations: When people cancel tickets, vacant seats may return to the system at a lower price.

• Sales and promos: Airlines frequently run limited-time offers, especially during quieter travel periods.

Best times to buy flights (by destination)

Below is a UK-friendly version of when to book depending on where you're headed.

Europe

• Summer / peak holidays: Book 4–10 months ahead (especially for Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, or big events like Oktoberfest).

• Rest of the year: 1–3 months ahead is usually fine.

• Best value: April, May, September, and October — lovely weather and cheaper fares.

Winter city breaks (e.g. Prague, Budapest) can also be very affordable, except for Christmas market weekends.

Asia

• Book 2–8 months ahead in general

• For cherry blossom season, Lunar New Year, school holidays: 4–10 months ahead

• Japan, Thailand, China, and India all see major price spikes within two months of travel

Travel during monsoon season can be cheaper, but expect unpredictable weather.

Central & South America

• Book 2–8 months ahead

• December–April is high season for many destinations, so book earlier

• Events like Rio Carnival require very early planning — expect high demand

Africa

• Book 2–8 months ahead

• Safari season (June–October) is peak time — better to book 4–10 months ahead

• Travel just outside peak season for better prices (e.g. Mauritius in Oct–Nov)

Australia & New Zealand

• Book 2–8 months ahead

• Peak seasons (October–March and UK summer holidays) sell out fast

• Shoulder seasons (Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov) offer better value and still-pleasant weather

When to book for holidays and big events

Christmas & New Year

• Book 4–10 months ahead

• Avoid 20–26 December if you can — prices soar

• Flying on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day can be much cheaper

Major festivals

Expect big crowds and higher prices — book early for:

• Lunar New Year (China & East Asia)

• Rio Carnival

• Día de Muertos (Mexico)

• Cherry blossom season in Japan

• Oktoberfest (Germany)

• Northern Lights peak season (Nordics, Iceland, Alaska)

Best day to fly

While there’s no magical day to book, there are better days to fly. If you're hunting for the cheapest fares, Saturday is your secret weapon. It regularly comes out as the best-value day to travel based on historical fare trends, often delivering noticeably lower prices than the busier days of the week.

Generally, the cheapest days to travel are:

• Tuesday

• Wednesday

• Saturday

These days tend to be quieter because business travellers favour Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and weekend-trippers love a Sunday return. Midweek flights can often be 10–20% cheaper, especially on international routes.

Flying at less popular times can help too. Early mornings, late evenings, or overnight flights can be cheaper — though on peak business days, those early departures are often more expensive. The best strategy? Keep an open mind. Even shifting your flight by a few hours can make a noticeable difference.

Tuesdays and Fridays: great alternatives for avoiding the weekend rush

Sundays and Mondays tend to be the priciest days to take off, thanks to weekend travellers and business commuters. If Saturday isn't an option, flying on a Tuesday or Friday can still snag you a decent saving. Midweek flights (Monday–Wednesday) often come out cheaper overall than weekend departures.

Tip: Mondays can still be on the expensive side. Switching from a Sunday to a Monday flight may save you a little, but the difference is usually modest.

Cheapest days to fly internationally

For long-haul trips, Wednesdays and Saturdays are often among the best-value days to depart. Data suggests that flying to Europe on a Wednesday could save you around 10% compared to the most expensive day (usually Friday). While savings vary depending on destination and season, midweek international departures tend to be kinder to your wallet.

Extra ways to find cheap flights from the UK

Use these tools to spot great-value fares with less effort:

• ‘Everywhere’ search: Perfect if you’re flexible. Just type “Everywhere” as your destination to reveal the cheapest places you can fly to from your chosen airport.

• Flexible dates: Not tied to specific travel days? Use the flexible date filters to compare prices across an entire week or month.

• Sales and offers: Airlines often run seasonal sales, but seats go fast. If you see a fare that works for you, it’s worth booking quickly.

• Best time to book: Try Skyscanner’s Savings Generator for tailored insights on when to book the cheapest flights for your preferred route.

Tips to find cheap flights any day of the week

For UK & short-haul flights: book 1–3 months ahead

For domestic or short-haul flights from the UK, aim to book 1–3 months before you travel. Prices usually creep up as departure day approaches, and last-minute bargains aren’t nearly as common as they used to be. In many cases, booking a couple of months out can save you around 25% compared to grabbing a ticket at the last minute.

For long-haul trips: book 2–8 months ahead

If you’re heading further afield, start looking 2–8 months in advance. It’s still worth browsing earlier just to get a feel for usual prices. Tools like Google Flights often show when fares are expected to be lowest based on historic trends for your route.

Set Price Alerts

Save yourself the daily checking. Whether you prefer Google Flights, Skyscanner, Hopper or Kayak, simply switch on price alerts and you’ll get notifications whenever fares drop for your chosen route.

Rebook if the price falls

Many airlines now have more flexible change and cancellation policies. If your ticket allows free changes (usually main cabin or standard fares), you can:

1. Set a price alert.

2. If the fare drops, cancel or change your booking.

3. Rebook at the lower price.

Just be aware: some airlines issue travel credit instead of cash refunds — handy only if you know you’ll fly with them again within the year. Basic economy-style fares usually can’t be changed for free.

Stay flexible

Flexibility is still the number one money-saver. Try:

• Leaving the destination blank on Google Flights to see the cheapest places to go.

• Checking nearby airports (often cheaper than flying from a major hub).

• Using calendar views to spot cheaper days.

• Treating long layovers as mini city breaks rather than inconveniences.

Ultimately, the best day to book — and fly — is whichever day is cheapest for your specific route.

From finding cheap flights to knowing your rights

Tracking down the cheapest days to fly—whether that’s a midweek bargain or a quieter Saturday departure—can make a big difference to your travel budget. And once you’ve snagged a great fare, it’s easy to feel like the hardest part is done.

But being a confident flyer isn’t just about getting the best deal. It’s also about knowing what happens after you book, especially if your trip doesn’t run perfectly to plan.

Even with the best timing and careful planning, travel can still throw in the odd surprise: sudden weather changes, delays, missed connections or baggage issues. Understanding how to find low fares helps you save money, but understanding your rights helps you protect your journey when things go wrong.

Whether you're hopping between UK cities with a budget airline or jetting off long-haul with a major carrier, European air passenger protections cover most flights departing from or arriving in the UK, EU, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. These rules exist to make sure that no matter how much you paid for your ticket, you’re treated fairly if your flight is disrupted.

Here’s what those rights include:

• Flight cancellations: You may be entitled to a full refund, rebooking, and in many cases up to £520 in compensation.

• Delays over 3 hours: Airlines must provide meals, accommodation if required, and in some cases compensation.

• Denied boarding (Overbooking): If you’re bumped from your flight, you’re entitled to immediate compensation and an alternative travel plan.

• Baggage problems: Lost, delayed, or damaged bags can be reimbursed—often up to around £1,550 under international rules.

Knowing these protections means you’re not just booking smarter—you’re travelling smarter. With the right information, you can stay calm, make informed decisions, and feel confident every step of the way.