We’ve all been there - an exciting holiday all planned and ready to go, but a fear to hit the button and book flights as you’re never quite sure when is the best time to for the best deals and cheapest prices.
It’s never an exact science. Each case is often unique as there are many factors which can impact this, hence there is much contention around the exact times when prices are at their best. Airlines use complex algorithms to adjust prices in real time, so prices can change constantly. For example, if some bookings get cancelled close to the flight date, the software might automatically offer those seats at a very low price.
However, there are some definite things to keep in mind when you’re planning your upcoming trip away. Below is our guide on when is best to book your flights and why these prices change, plus a helpful tip to help keep you on-top of the ever-changing prices.
When to Book International vs. Domestic Flights
To secure a great deal on your journey abroad with international flights, we believe it’s best to book your tickets around two months before the date of departure. This will help ensure that tickets are not all taken - though note that it doesn’t necessarily guarantee it. It's important to note that last-minute flight deals aren't very common, and you might not get a seat if your desired flight sells out.
Unlike international journeys, there is less of a requirement to book your domestic flights in advance. Instead, as a rule of thumb, we’d recommend around at least 28 days in advance. Of course, you can always book prior to this suggested window, but prices can actually be higher at this time, so your peace of mind that everything is booked far in advance may actually cost you.
Why do flight ticket prices fluctuate?
The primary reason flight prices will vary is how far away they are timewise. As the date of departure approaches, it is far more likely that demand is higher due to many of the seats having already been booked, meaning prices will have risen. Other important factors to consider include seasonal changes and holiday times, as more people are likely to want to travel during Summer or festive periods, which will, again, drive up demand. Because of this, January is often said to be the best month to book flights.
A popular theory is that booking on certain days of the week can impact the price of flights, specifically Tuesdays and Wednesdays, though this has been widely disproved, so is not something to consider when booking. Of course, the day of the flight itself will impact prices - typically weekdays are cheaper than weekends.
Track Prices with Trip.com
At Trip.com, we’ve made it even easier to track how the flight prices are changing. When searching for flights on your chosen dates and routes, you’ll see a component which displays historical prices for this very route, as well as a percentage difference when compared to this time last year. This will also come along with a helpful graph which displays how the prices have changed so far, which can give an accurate representation of how prices will shift in the future.
If you scroll further, you will also be able to set a 'price notification'. These will alert you if the fare for your chosen route and date has reached a certain price. We recommend setting these as early as possible if you are willing to wait and see if prices will drop, as well as having realistic expectations for what the price may be given the current and historic prices. When used correctly, this is an invaluable tool!
To find out more about booking cheap flights on Trip.com, check out our extensive guide here.