January 27th 2025.
When it comes to booking flights, timing is everything. It can be the difference between getting a great deal and paying way more than you planned. Luckily, new research from Which? has made it easier than ever to find the perfect time to book your flights, depending on your destination and travel dates.
The consumer champion analyzed data from Skyscanner and looked at the average return flight prices for popular destinations in 2023 and 2024. The results showed that the best time to book a flight can range from five weeks to six months in advance. So if you're hoping to score a cheap summer trip, it's time to start planning now.
For example, if you're looking to travel to Faro in the Algarve this August, the cheapest fares were available five weeks in advance. But for a trip to Paris during the same time, you'll need to book 26 weeks in advance. And for those planning an Easter holiday, booking 12 weeks in advance will get you the best price for Dublin or Valencia, but you'll need to plan even earlier for Berlin and Krakow.
But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. The research also revealed that the cheapest month to travel overall is January. You can snag off-season flights for as little as £39 to Dublin and £50 to Paris. And if you're looking to visit the Big Apple on a budget, March is the best time to go with an average return flight cost of just £201.
Naomi Leach, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel, had some helpful advice for travelers looking to save money on flights. She said, "Our research threw up some surprising results and suggests some holidaymakers could save significant sums of money by targeting the right time to book their flights...It is worth setting up flight alerts with Google Flights or Skyscanner to track the best prices for your desired destination to find the best time to book a great deal."
If you're wondering about the best time to book flights for specific destinations, Which? has got you covered. They found that for short-haul flights, the cheapest month to fly to Amsterdam is January with an average fare of £86. For Athens, it's also January with a cost of £75. And for Barcelona, it's January again with an average fare of £50.
But for longer journeys, the best time to book flights can vary. For example, for a trip to Bangkok, you should book 25 weeks in advance for April and eight weeks in advance for August. And if you're dreaming of a getaway to Sydney, plan to book 22 weeks in advance for April and eight weeks in advance for August.
Overall, the key takeaway is to start planning and booking your flights earlier than you may have thought. By keeping an eye on prices and being flexible with your travel dates, you could save a significant amount of money on your next trip. Do you have any tips for finding the best flight deals? Share your experiences in the comments below. And if you have a story to share, get in touch with us by emailing [email address]. Happy travels!
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