Booking air travel often poses the question for travelers about the ideal time to purchase tickets to minimize costs. Various factors such as booking time, time of day, day of the week, and lead time play a crucial role in determining pricing. A comprehensive analysis of Opodo's 2024 booking data and other studies provide valuable insights into optimal booking strategies.
Opodo's analysis shows that the time of day has a significant impact on flight prices. Night owls can benefit from particularly good deals. For example, flights to the USA are available at 2 a.m. for an average of €549, while at 10 a.m. they cost €721. Similarly, flights to Japan cost €906 at midnight and €15 at 1.482 p.m. Destinations in Thailand can be booked for €3 at 818 a.m., while at 5 a.m. they cost €1.047. Even within Germany, cheaper prices can be found at 2 a.m., averaging €223 compared to €282 at 3 a.m. Flights to Spain are available at 2 a.m. for €243, while at 6 a.m. they cost €280.
Lead time: Early bird vs. last-minute bookings
The optimal lead time for flight bookings varies depending on the destination. For city breaks to London, Paris, or Lisbon, booking more than 91 days in advance is recommended. For example, a flight to London costs €196 if booked three months in advance, while it costs €286 two weeks before departure. For long-haul destinations like Phuket or New York, bookings 61 to 90 days in advance are ideal, with savings of up to €130 and €120 respectively. Interestingly, for destinations like Tokyo, even last-minute bookings (0-15 days in advance) can offer good prices. For trips to Spain, booking 16 to 30 days in advance is optimal. Last-minute bargains can be found for Palma de Mallorca, in particular, with prices of €220 for last-minute bookings compared to €290 for bookings more than 91 days in advance.
Recommended lead times by region
- European goals: 31 to 60 days in advance, e.g. Italy, Ireland, Hungary.
- Great Britain, Germany, Austria: More than 90 days in advance.
- Spain, Türkiye, Greece: 16 to 30 days in advance.
- France, Poland, Luxembourg: 61 to 90 days in advance.
- North and South America, Australia/Oceania: 31 to 90 days in advance.
- Asia: 31 to 91+ days in advance.
- Africa: 31 to 60 days in advance.
Influence of the day of the week on booking prices
The day of the week you book also influences flight prices. For many European destinations, including France, Poland, and Switzerland, Sunday bookings are cheapest. Flights to Spain should be booked on Thursdays, while for the UK, Saturday is ideal. For long-haul flights to Asia, for example, to China or the Maldives, Sunday bookings offer the best prices. For Thailand, Monday bookings are cheaper at €914 compared to €994 on Sunday. Flights to Japan are cheaper on Thursdays at €1.144 compared to €1.249 on Wednesday. For the USA, booking on Thursday is recommended for €632 compared to €667 on Monday.
Cheapest booking months for long-haul travel
The booking month can also make a difference:
- Thailand: May with an average of 839 euros.
- Japan: November with an average of 1.010 euros.
- USA: September with an average of 610 euros.
Early bookers benefit from discounts
A HolidayCheck analysis shows that early bookers who book in October or November benefit from the biggest discounts. The study examined approximately 140 million offers from 65 providers for popular travel destinations in summer 2024. It found that the cheapest prices can be found right at the start of the early bird discounts in October and November. For destinations such as Mallorca, the Turkish Riviera, and the Canary Islands, the potential savings amount to up to €1.400. Early bookers also benefit from a wider selection of hotels and rooms.
The optimal booking strategy depends on several factors, including destination, time of booking, day of the week, and lead time. Travelers who consider these aspects and plan their bookings accordingly can achieve significant savings. It's worth monitoring airfares at different times and being flexible with travel planning.
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