With spring on the horizon, holiday planning is on many people’s minds.
Imagining sunny climates, drinks by the pool and serene beach walks is tempting after the winter dreariness. The catch, of course, is the hefty price tag that often accompanies trips abroad.
However, you might just find a way to whittle down those costs. WhichUK has crunched numbers to reveal the optimal times for booking budget-friendly flights, offering invaluable travel insights.
Their analysis targeted popular holiday spots to determine when savvy savers should secure their seats. For those with summer vacation visions, it may be time to begin the search.
Some destinations apparently yield better deals if booked closer to departure time. Here’s what you need to know.
Data from the past year-and-a-half has been examined by Which’s experts, delineating prime booking windows for the most economical airfare. To bag the cheapest flights, it’s advised you book at certain points.
- Amsterdam – you should book 15 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Barcelona – you should book 13 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Berlin – you should book 24 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Budapest – you should book 6 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Dublin – you should book 13 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Mallorca – you should book 13 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Nice – you should book 24 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Paris – you should book 26 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Prague – you should book 19 weeks before you’re due to fly
- Tenerife – you should book 10 weeks before you’re due to fly
A video outlining these tactics has garnered hundreds of views since its release, sparking lively debates among viewers. Comments poured in as viewers weighed in on the findings.
One person remarked: “Yeah, but it doesn’t work like that, does it? Because the more last minute you leave it, the cheaper they sell it.”
Another countered with a different experience, adding: “Depends on the airline. I’ve booked budget airlines last minute and got prices just as good in advance.”
Meanwhile, a third commenter wrote: “Does that mean if you booked further in advance you could risk paying more?”
It’s worth noting that following these tips doesn’t guarantee you’ll always bag a bargain flight. The advice comes from WhichUK, who have analysed data from the Skyscanner tool to help travellers find the best time to book flights to their dream destination.