Cheapest Day to Book a Holiday: Smart Timing Tips

If you think grabbing the cheapest holiday is just about spotting a random deal, think again. Timing matters—and not just when you travel, but when you actually book. Booking a trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday, instead of peak times like Friday or Sunday, can sometimes trim a good chunk off your travel bill. Airlines and hotels drop prices midweek because fewer people are online scouring for trips. Less demand, better deals.

But it's not just about which day of the week. The time of day can make a difference too. Ever noticed prices creeping up when you check in the evening? You're not imagining things—prices often spike when everyone's online after work. Sneak your booking in early morning or late at night, and you could spot a much lower price for the same flight or hotel room.

• Does booking day really matter?
• Best weekdays vs weekends for deals
• Timing your booking: how far in advance?
• Hidden tricks and booking myths

Does booking day really matter?

Plenty of people ask whether the actual day you pull the trigger and book your cheapest day to book holiday makes a difference. The short answer: yes, but with a couple of asterisks. Airlines and travel sites have their own patterns for sales and price drops, and those usually don’t happen on weekends.

According to booking data from companies like Expedia and Skyscanner, midweek bookings—especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—tend to be cheaper. Why? Most airlines launch their ticket sales at the start of the week, and by Tuesday, competitors start matching prices or undercutting each other. By the time Friday rolls around, lots of the lowest fares are gone.

But it’s not just flights. Some hotel sites drop their rates on Mondays and Tuesdays too, especially for last-minute rooms they still need to fill for that week. These aren’t just random guesses—travel search engines track millions of transactions and these patterns keep popping up.

So, if you’re really chasing cheap holidays, checking prices on a slow workday while everyone else is distracted not only feels sneaky, it actually works most of the time. And it's not just urban legend. The data pretty much confirms it every year.

Best weekdays vs weekends for deals

Here’s a secret most airlines don’t want to blast: your choice between booking on a weekday versus a weekend can literally sway your holiday budget. According to travel industry data from 2024, booking flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday tends to lead to lower fares—sometimes by up to 20% compared to what you’d see on Friday or Sunday. It’s all about fewer people hunting for trips thanks to work schedules, so companies quietly drop prices to fill seats and rooms.

What about weekends? Weekend bookings are super popular, but that means higher prices. People have more time to look, so airlines and hotels aren’t shy about bumping up rates. A quick look at a Skyscanner report shows average flight prices go up the most from Friday night through Sunday—this goes for most destinations, especially during peak school holiday periods.

• For flights, hit “book” late on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
• Hotels often roll out their lowest prices during weekdays, too—especially for city stays.
• If you’re the flexible type, avoid browsing during Saturday and Sunday evenings when everyone else is planning their escape.

Check out how the average flight price fluctuates during the week for a Europe round-trip (based on a 2024 Hopper study):

The difference adds up, especially if you’re booking for a family or locking in multiple trips. If you want the cheapest day to book a holiday, stick with midweek and stay away from that Sunday night booking itch. It pays off, literally.

Timing your booking: how far in advance?

It’s not just about picking the cheapest day to book a holiday—how far ahead you book has a huge impact on price too. Here’s the thing: booking too early or too late can end up costing more. For flights, the sweet spot tends to be about 6-8 weeks before your departure for most short-haul and domestic trips. Going international? You’re usually better off booking three to four months ahead.

Last-minute deals might sound catchy, but they don’t always happen like you’d hope. Airlines usually hike prices during the final two weeks before a flight, knowing business travelers and procrastinators will pay more. Hotels, on the other hand, sometimes cut rates last-minute, but you’re taking a gamble—especially during holidays or busy seasons.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for flight bookings based on some fresh 2024 travel industry data:

Holiday packages are a different animal. Booking late can work if you’re flexible, but for popular destinations or school holidays, you’ll save more by locking in early. If you spot a deal that ticks all your boxes, don’t hang about—those low prices can disappear fast as seats fill up.

One more thing: set up price alerts. Most flight search engines and travel apps let you track fares and will ping you when prices drop. It doesn’t cost anything. You get a heads-up if your dream trip is about to get cheaper, making it way easier to catch real travel deals before everyone else jumps in.

Hidden tricks and booking myths

Think you know all the secrets behind scoring a cheap holiday? Some booking myths just won’t die, but a few tricks actually make a difference. Let’s sort them out and see what really works when you want the best deal.

First, you’ve probably heard about clearing your browser cookies before booking. It’s true that some sites might nudge prices up if they spot you returning again and again, hoping you’ll panic and book fast. Try searching in incognito mode or clear your cookies—sometimes you'll see lower prices.

Then there’s the idea that booking flights on a certain day, like Tuesday, is always cheaper. The truth is, while deals can sometimes drop midweek, it’s not a hard rule. Prices change all the time based on demand and events coming up in the destination. If you see a good deal that matches your dates, grab it—waiting in hope isn’t a magic trick.

Another tip is to check alternate airports or flexible dates on booking engines. Even one day earlier or later can make a huge difference—sometimes up to 20% off the ticket. And don't just look for return flights; one-ways with different airlines can also shave off cash from the total price.

• Use flight price alerts—set them up and let the app track prices for you.
• Compare deal sites, but always check the airline’s own site last. Extra fees sometimes sneak in on third-party sites.
• If you’re flying internationally, searching from another country using a VPN can sometimes cut costs. Flights departing from or showing prices in the airline’s home currency can pop up cheaper.

To clear up a common booking myth: last-minute deals aren’t what they used to be. Several booking sites tracked in 2024 showed that prices usually go up the closer you get to the flight date, especially in summer and on holidays.

The best trick? Mix and match ideas above, but trust real-time price alerts and your gut when the price looks fair for your trip. Cheapest day to book holiday really comes down to staying clever, not just following rumors.