subject: The Most Affordable Time of Year to Fly [print this page] The Most Affordable Time of Year to Fly The Most Affordable Time of Year to Fly
Routes
While airlines are more likely to bump up their prices around the busier parts of the season, having a route worked out well in advance could well save you a fair bit. Booking ahead, at least four to five months before travelling, is often the best way to save money on your gap year. Watch out for routes also. Flying to Kuala Lumpur from London and taking a cheap flight from there to a destination in Southeast Asia is often cheaper than one long haul flight direct from London.
Check The Low And Peak Seasons
Although you can largely depend on Christmas to be the most expensive time of year to fly, you should check your destination and the dates of the high and low tourist seasons and book flights accordingly. Flights to Western Europe are likely to be cheapest in the spring and autumn months, while flights to Australia are more expensive around September and January and coincide with college and school graduation dates.
Days
Air travel is often subject to a widely varying range of factors that continue to drive fares up and down. But while you get all stressed working out the best way to get from the USA to Brazil on your gap year, bear in mind that what day you fly on is also a major factor in ticket prices. Statistically Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly on, with Tuesday and Saturday close behind. Avoid Friday and Sunday as these are the most expensive days with people on weekend breaks returning to work.
Time
The morning, while undesirable, is the best time to get a flight as this is when they are usually at their cheapest. It might mean having to get up in the middle of the night, but that's probably worth almost a quarter saving on the highest priced ticket right? Also don't forget to check low cost airlines and look to book on Tuesday afternoon (statistically said to be the best time to find cheap flights) as airlines begin pulling discounted flights on Thursday.
Flexibility
In relation to the question there is no really defined period of the year when it is the cheapest to fly. A massive perk of being on a gap year however, is that you're likely to be flexible in terms of the dates and times as to when you move on to another destination. Always take your time booking and shop around first, the nature of flight costs are that they are always subject to change. You might even be able to snag a bargain deal a night before!
