Discover the best time to book a holiday

Written by John Connellan | 1 November 2024

Savoo's holiday expert and renound globe trotter

Updated 25 March 2026

Key Takeaways

Book your flights in the morning: Flight prices are typically cheaper between 4-7 am. Rise early for the best chance to find a good deal.
Plan ahead: Short-haul trips in peak seasons are best booked 6-10 weeks in advance for the best price and choice.
Travel midweek for cheaper flights: Departing on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday usually costs less, as demand is lower. It's also important to book at the right time of day, so check fares early in the morning, while late-night searches often show higher prices.
Avoid Sunday returns: Returning on Sunday afternoons is costly and prone to delays - opt for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday mornings instead

Knowing when to travel is one of the biggest ways to save on a holiday. Travelling outside school holidays and bank holidays is usually cheaper, but that is not always possible. The timing of your booking can also affect the price, sometimes significantly.

This guide explains when to book, based on expert insight and current trends, so you can improve your chances of finding a better deal and even increase your odds of an upgrade.

We spoke to travel expert and presenter Hayley Sparkes to share practical tips on how to book at the right time and get the most value from your trip.

What's in Savoo's Guide to When Is the Best Time to Book a Holiday

Does Timing Matter When Booking a Holiday?
Planning Ahead vs Last-Minute Bokings
How Early Should You Book Your Holiday?
Which Day of the Week Is the Cheapest Time to Book a Holiday?
Booking During Special Periods
How to Improve Your Chances of a Free Flight Upgrade
What Are the Cheapest Destinations in Europe?
Additional Tips to Save Money on Your Next Holiday
Frequently Asked Questions

Does Timing Matter When Booking a Holiday?

The date you travel has the biggest impact on price, but the timing of your booking also plays a role. Flight and hotel prices can change frequently, sometimes within hours. Prices are influenced by factors including:

Demand
Seasonality
Special events
Availability
Fuel prices
Operational costs
Exchange rates
Economic conditions
Sales and promotions

It is not possible to time every factor perfectly. Waiting too long in the hope of a better deal can sometimes lead to higher prices instead.

Planning Ahead vs Last-Minute Bokings

Last-minute deals can offer savings, but they often come with limited choice. The cheapest options are usually for less popular destinations, hotels, or departure times. If you are flexible, this can work in your favour. If you have a specific destination in mind, savings may be limited.

Booking early can be more reliable, especially for peak travel periods. As availability decreases, prices tend to rise. This is particularly true for school holidays and popular destinations.

In simple terms:

If you are travelling somewhere popular, booking in advance is usually more affordable.
If you are flexible about where and when you travel, last-minute deals can offer good value.

How Early Should You Book Your Holiday?

For peak travel periods, booking early is usually the safest way to secure a better price and more choice. It can also allow you to spread the cost over time.

If you need to travel during school holidays, aim to book at least six months in advance, or closer to a year where possible. For off-season travel to popular destinations, booking two to three months ahead is often sufficient.

If you are very flexible, last-minute bookings can still offer value, particularly for less busy routes or destinations.

Travel expert and presenter Hayley Sparkes says: 'Booking in advance is usually more cost-effective than last-minute deals. Short-haul trips in peak seasons should ideally be booked 6-10 weeks ahead, which gives the best combination of price and choice.'

Which Day of the Week Is the Cheapest Time to Book a Holiday?

There is no guaranteed cheapest day to book, but midweek is often suggested. Airlines and travel companies frequently release offers early in the week, which can make Tuesday and Wednesday good times to check prices.

Travel expert Hayley Sparkes reveals: 'Time of day matters too. Flights released overnight for inventory updates mean checking early morning (4-7 a.m.) can catch lower fares, while late-night searches are often more expensive due to demand spikes.'

As for the cheapest days to fly, aim for midweek departures (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). 'Airlines price by demand', explains Hayley Sparkes, 'and midweek flights have fewer business and leisure travellers'. For your return flight, try to avoid Sunday afternoon. It is typically a peak travel time to the U.K., often more expensive and more prone to delays. According to Hayley, 'The best return days for spring are Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday morning.'

Action	Best Time	Avoid
Booking flights	4-7 am	Late night
Departing	Tuesday-Thursday	Friday evening
Returning	Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday morning	Sunday afternoon

Cheapest days & times to book

Booking During Special Periods

Some seasonal sales and promotional periods can offer good opportunities to save. These include:

Black Friday
Cyber Monday
Travel Tuesday, the day after Cyber Monday
Post-Christmas sales
Sunshine Saturday, typically the first Saturday after New Year
Spring, when Easter family holidays can be cheaper than peak summer travel
Late summer and early autumn
Periods outside the run-up to school holidays

Tour operators also run limited-time promotions throughout the year. Comparing package holidays with booking flights and accommodation separately can help you find better value. Savoo regularly features discount codes for travel brands such as Expedia, Travelodge, easyJet holidays, and TUI.

How to Improve Your Chances of a Free Flight Upgrade

Not all economy seats are equal. Airlines have fare buckets. Higher fare buckets (like Flex or Standard Plus) are eligible for upgrades first. Cheap-sale tickets are often blocked.

Airline status dominates the upgrade decision. Being part of a frequent flyer program significantly improves your chances.

Hayley Sparkes shares: 'Checking in too early can actually reduce your chances of upgrading. Airlines assess upgrade needs near departure when cabin demand is clear. Check in too late, and the upgrade list may be closed.
The main reason airlines deny upgrades is complex or restrictive check-in conditions. Examples include special meals (vegan, kosher, halal) that cannot be matched in premium cabins. Airlines prioritise passengers who are easy to relocate between cabins: operational simplicity matters more than politeness.'

What Are the Cheapest Destinations in Europe?

Choosing cheaper, lesser-known destinations is also a great way to save money on your travels. While travellers often head to the most obvious hotspots like Paris, Rome or Barcelona, there are plenty of destinations across Europe that offer incredible scenery, culture, and cuisine for a fraction of the price.

Travel expert Hayley Sparkes shares her personal recommendations for spring and summer 2026:

Albania has fast become one of Europe's best-value coastal destinations, with crystal-clear waters along the Albanian Riviera that rival Greece or Croatia. Towns like Ksamil and Himarë offer beautiful beaches, fresh seafood restaurants, and affordable accommodation, often at a fraction of the cost of neighbouring Mediterranean hotspots.
Poland is ideal for travellers who love historic cities and great food without Western European prices. Cities like Kraków and Gdańsk offer stunning architecture, lively café culture, and fascinating history, while everyday costs, from dining out to accommodation, remain very reasonable.
Romania is perfect for adventurous travellers looking for dramatic landscapes and rich folklore. From the fairytale castles of Transylvania to the hiking trails of the Carpathian Mountains, it offers a mix of culture, nature, and medieval charm that still feels relatively undiscovered by mass tourism.
Kotor, Montenegro, is one of the most picturesque towns on the Adriatic, with its fortified Old Town tucked between mountains and a spectacular bay. While nearby Dubrovnik attracts heavy crowds, Kotor often offers a similar historic atmosphere, beautiful coastal views, and excellent seafood at more affordable prices.

Additional Tips to Save Money on Your Next Holiday

Timing is important, but there are other ways to manage your holiday budget more effectively.

Check Airport Transfer Costs

Low flight prices can be offset by expensive transport to and from the airport. Check transport options in advance to avoid unexpected costs.

My colleague and fellow money-saving editor, Marine Garnier, says: 'I bagged a great deal for barely £100 return flights to Seville last February. I was super pleased with myself before realising that I would need to add an extra £90 of Uber fares because the departing flight was too early to catch any public transport... Learn from my mistake!'

Anticipate Luggage Costs

Many flight prices exclude luggage. Adding checked or cabin bags can significantly increase the total cost. Comparison tools such as Skyscanner can provide estimated pricing with baggage included.

Check Package Deals

Package holidays can sometimes offer savings compared to booking separately, particularly when including flights and accommodation together. Savings vary, so it is worth comparing both options.

Plan Your Budget for Your Trip Type

Different types of holidays come with different spending patterns. Research local costs in advance to set a realistic budget. Tools such as Numbeo cost of living database can help estimate everyday expenses.

You can also explore more destination-specific guides on Savoo, including ways to save money on a ski trip, free and cheap things to do in Paris, and affordable family Easter holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cheapest day to book flights?

There is no guaranteed cheapest day to book flights, but midweek (Tuesday and Wednesday) is often a good time to check prices. Airlines frequently release new fares and promotions early in the week, which can create temporary price drops. However, prices change dynamically based on demand, so it is best to monitor fares over several days rather than rely on one specific booking day.

What time of day is cheapest to book flights?

Early morning, typically between 4 am and 7 am, is often one of the best times to check flight prices. Airlines update inventory overnight, which can result in lower fares appearing in the morning. Late-night searches can sometimes show higher prices due to increased demand and browsing activity.

How far in advance should I book a holiday?

The ideal booking window depends on your trip type:

Short-haul (peak season): 6-10 weeks in advance
Long-haul trips: 3-6 months in advance
School holidays: 6-12 months in advance
Off-season travel: 1-3 months in advance

Booking too late can lead to higher prices and limited availability, especially for popular destinations.

Is it cheaper to book last-minute holidays?

Last-minute deals can be cheaper, but only if you are flexible. The best last-minute discounts are usually for less popular destinations, unusual departure times, or remaining unsold inventory. If you have fixed dates or a specific destination in mind, booking in advance is usually more reliable and cost-effective.

Which days are cheapest to fly?

Midweek departures (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) are typically the cheapest because demand is lower. Business travel is concentrated at the start and end of the week, while leisure travellers often prefer weekends.

For return flights, avoiding Sunday afternoons can help reduce costs, as this is a peak travel period.

Do flight prices go down closer to departure?

In most cases, flight prices increase as the departure date approaches. Airlines raise prices as availability decreases and demand becomes clearer. While last-minute deals do exist, they are not guaranteed and are usually limited to specific routes or unsold seats.

What is the best time of year to book a holiday?

Some of the best times to book include major sales periods such as:

Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Travel Tuesday
Post-Christmas sales
January "Sunshine Saturday"

Booking during shoulder seasons (spring or early autumn) can also offer better value compared to peak summer travel.