Best Day to Book Flights: Myths, Hacks, and Other Tips

You’ve probably heard there’s a “best day” to book your flight, right? People talk about Tuesdays or weekends being those best moments. In this article, we’ll clarify the myths and share what the experts say (spoiler alert: it’s not that simple). Don’t waste time chasing these myths, focus on the real tips that actually save you money.

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The “Best Day to Book Flights” Myth

Let’s get it straight: There isn’t one “best” day of the week to book flights because prices change all the time based on demand and complex pricing systems.

While it was once believed that Tuesday was the best day to book, that’s no longer true. In fact, recent data shows that Sundays might offer the best savings, with discounts of around 5% on both domestic and international economy flights, 8% on domestic business class, and 25% on international business class. On the other hand, booking on weekdays like Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday only gives a small average saving of about 2% compared to booking on weekends over the past five years.

In reality, to find cheap flights, it’s better to stay flexible with your travel dates instead of fixating on booking a specific day. For that, you can use tools like airline calendars to compare prices across different days and spot the cheaper options. When you book your flight, it also plays a role in how much you’ll pay. For domestic flights, booking at least a month before your trip can save you around 25%. For international flights, booking about 60 days ahead can help you save around 10%. So, planning ahead and being open to adjusting your travel dates is the key to securing better deals.

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Similarly, the day you fly affects the price of your ticket. For example, Thursday flights tend to be about 16% cheaper than Sunday flights, for both domestic and international flights. If you’re flying domestically, Saturdays are also usually cheaper than Sundays, with savings of around 12%. In general, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the best days to find lower prices.

In a few words: to get the best deals, you should book early and be flexible with your travel dates instead of trying to book on a specific day of the week.

 

Which is the best day to book hotels?

When it comes to booking hotels, the approach is different. Booking toward the end of the week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) might be a good choice because demand is lower. On the other hand, booking midweek, like on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, can also work in your favor. Hotels often release new deals at the start of the week to fill up their rooms, so you might catch a good discount if you book around this time.

One interesting fact is that last-minute bookings (within 48 hours of check-in) can save you up to 50% while booking 1 to 2 months in advance is best for leisure destinations, and 3 to 6 months ahead is ideal for all-inclusive resorts. The best strategy to book hotels is to stay alert for sudden price drops and be ready to adjust your plans accordingly.

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Debunking More Myths about the Best Day of Week to Book Flights

Tuesdays are the best day to book flights

The idea that booking flights on a Tuesday always gives you the best deal isn’t true. Flight prices can change at any time, and they’re influenced by many factors like how many people want to fly (demand), the time of year (season), and the pricing strategies used by airlines (algorithms). Because of these factors, the specific day you book doesn’t really matter that much. Prices can go up or down at any time, so it’s better to keep an eye out for deals whenever they come up, rather than focusing on a particular day of the week.

Booking in advance always saves you money

Booking your flight too early or too late can actually result in paying higher prices, even though booking in advance is generally cheaper. The best time to book depends on the type of trip. For domestic flights, you should book 1 or 3 months ahead, while for international flights, 3 or 6 months is ideal. This window of time is often when you’ll find the best prices, as airlines adjust fares based on demand and other factors.

So, even though early booking can sometimes save money, it’s not always the case. Keep an eye on prices and be flexible to book when you spot a good deal, no matter how far in advance it is.

Flying midweek is always cheaper

Flying midweek, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is often cheaper because fewer people fly on those days, so airlines lower prices to fill seats. However, this isn’t a fixed rule. Some airlines may offer lower prices on weekends or holidays due to special promotions or their specific pricing strategies.

Flight prices change based on demand, time of year, and other factors like competition and how full the flight is. Because of this, it’s smart to check prices for different days to see when you can get the best deal.

Last-minute deals are the best way to save

Waiting until the last minute to book a flight can be risky because prices usually go up the closer you get to your departure date. Airlines tend to raise their prices to make more money as the flight date nears, which means you might end up paying more if you wait.

Although you might find a good deal occasionally, those last-minute offers often disappear fast due to high demand. You should also keep in mind that booking late can limit your options for changes or cancellations, which could cause problems if your trip goes wrong.

The deal you hope for may not appear, so, book your flight sooner rather than later.

Flight prices are the same everywhere

Flight ticket prices aren’t fixed, on the contrary, they change depending on which website or search engine you use and even where you’re booking from. Some travel platforms, like KAYAK, Skyscanner, or Google Flights, might show different prices for the same flight, and airlines sometimes adjust prices based on your location.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, compare multiple booking sites before making a decision. Also, booking directly through the airline’s website can sometimes get you special discounts, added perks, or better customer support if you need assistance.

Incognito mode or clearing your cookies will get you cheaper flights

There’s a common myth that airlines raise prices based on what you’ve searched for, but that’s just a myth. Using incognito mode or clearing cookies won’t get you cheaper flights. Prices change based on demand (how many people want to book), the time of year (high or low season), and even fuel costs, not because of your browsing history.

The best way to find a good deal is to check prices on different websites and book when you see a good price, no matter how you’ve been searching.

The cheapest fare is always the best deal

When booking a flight, the lowest price might seem like the best deal, but it can come with extra costs that aren’t immediately obvious. For example, you might have to pay for checked baggage, or the flight might have long layovers or poor service.

To make sure you’re truly getting the best value, you need to look at everything, not just the ticket price. Search for any extra fees, the quality of the airline’s service, and how the flight fits into your schedule before making your decision. That way, you’ll know the full cost and whether the flight is worth it.

Weekend flights are always more expensive

Friday and Sunday flights are seen as more expensive, after all, more people tend to fly on weekends. However, this isn’t always true. Sometimes, airlines offer special discounts for weekend flights to attract more customers. The prices of tickets can go up or down based on various factors like demand, how full the plane is when you book, and if the airline is running any promotions.

So, while weekend flights sometimes are more expensive, it’s not a rule, and prices can change depending on different circumstances.

All budget airlines are the same

Budget airlines are cheaper, but the overall experience can be very different depending on the airline. Some budget carriers charge extra for water, snacks, or picking your seat, while others might include these services without charging more. For example, Southwest is known for having fewer extra fees compared to many other budget airlines.

Check what’s included and what costs extra before booking so you don’t get surprised by hidden fees.

Airlines have secret deals they don’t advertise

Many people think airlines have secret or unlisted deals, but the truth is that ticket prices are determined by algorithms. They look at factors like how much demand there is for a flight, how far in advance you’re booking, and what competitors are charging. This means that prices change based on these factors, not because of hidden deals.

However, airlines sometimes offer big discounts through sales, promotions, or rare “error fares,” which happen when pricing mistakes occur due to human error or system glitches. These mistakes can sometimes cut prices by up to 80%, but they don’t happen often. There are also secret sales where airlines drop prices without telling everyone. These hidden deals can be better than regular sales, but they don’t last long either. Services like Secret Flight Club and Skiplagged help find these deals. To catch them, you can set fare alerts, use price comparison tools, or try hidden-city ticketing, which can save you 20-60%.

 

What is the Best Day to Fly and Book Then?

Here are some travel tips to help you save money and get the best deal on your flights.

Cheapest days to fly

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are usually the least expensive.
• Weekends can cost more because there’s higher demand.

Best times of day to fly

• Early morning (4-6 AM) and late night (10 PM-midnight) flights are cheaper.
• Avoid flying during 9-11 AM and 2-4 PM, as these times are busy with business travelers and families.

Worst days to fly

• Sundays and Mondays tend to be more expensive because of business travelers.
• Holidays also see higher prices, so try to be flexible.

Best time to book flights

• For domestic flights, book 1-3 months in advance.
• For international flights, aim for 2-8 months ahead for better prices.

What time of year prices are cheaper?

• Spring & Summer: Prices go up around March and late June due to spring break and summer vacations.
• Fall & Winter: Look for cheaper fares in August, September, and January when demand is lower.

Other international travel tips

• Bundle flights and hotels for cheaper deals.
• Wednesday departures and Saturday-to-Saturday trips are often cheaper.
• Set price alerts on sites like Google Flights to track deals.
• Watch for airline sales and promotions.
• Be flexible with your travel dates to save money, sometimes shifting your trip by just a day can help.

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More tips to get cheap flights

Here are some strategies to help you find better deals on flights:

• Be flexible with dates and times: Flight prices can change a lot depending on when you fly.

• Use multiple search engines: Compare prices on websites like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner.

• Set price alerts: Get notified when the price of your flight drops.

• Book at the right time: Book a few weeks to a few months in advance for domestic flights, and even earlier for international ones.

• Check nearby airports: Sometimes flying to a nearby airport can save you money.

• Search for flexible destinations: If you’re open to new places, check other destinations for cheaper options.

• Fly with budget airlines: Watch out for extra fees like baggage charges.

• Avoid peak travel times: Flight prices go up during holidays or busy work periods.

• Use airline miles or credit card points: These can help lower costs or earn rewards.

• Look for sales: Follow airlines for flash deals and discounts.

• Consider other transport options: Trains or buses might be cheaper for short trips.

• Book directly with the airline: It’s often easier if there are issues with your flight.

• Look for connecting flights: Sometimes connecting flights cost less than direct ones.

• Check last-minute deals: Be cautious, though, as prices can rise close to departure.

• See if separate bookings are cheaper: Booking each part of a trip separately might save money.

• Check for deals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day: These days often have good travel discounts.

• Pro Tip: Once you’ve got your flight, make your trip even cheaper by using a Yoho Mobile eSIM. It helps you avoid expensive roaming charges and skips the hassle of buying a new SIM in every country.

 

 

Here are some tools and strategies to help you find better deals on flights:

• Google Flights & Skyscanner: Use these sites to compare flight prices across airlines and set alerts to get notified when prices drop. Google Flights even lets you search for destinations by price if you’re flexible.
• KAYAK Explore Map: This shows you a map with prices for different destinations, helping you spot cheaper places to go based on where you’re looking.
• Hacker Fares: Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets on different airlines can be cheaper than buying a round-trip ticket from one airline.
• Fare Alerts: Set up alerts on tools like Google Flights or Hopper to be notified when flight prices drop for your route.
• Book Directly with Airlines: Booking directly with the airline might get you better customer service and compensation if anything goes wrong.
• Check Alternative Airports: Look for nearby airports, as flying into one a little further away might save you money.