Best dates to book cheap last-minute holiday, according to travel expert
As October half-term approaches, expert shares tips on exactly when - down to the day - to book to secure top deals
by Charlotte Smith, Barbara Hodgson · ChronicleLiveWith the autumn nights drawing in, it's no surprise that many people dream about the possibility of jetting off to sunnier climes for a late break.
And, with the October school holiday coming up, half-term could provide just the opportunity to do it. Of course, finances will be a concern for most, especially in the wake of summer spending and prospect of the Christmas splurge ahead, but for those with some cash to splash on a trip away there are, it seems, some savings to be made if you are savvy.
So anyone keen to enjoy a break during the October 26-November 3 half-term - or even setting their sights on a trip abroad over Christmas - might well find a better deal than they think. According to the experts, the best day to find and book a last-minute half-term break for maximum savings is October 13, reports Bristol Post.
Oliver Brendon, chief executive officer of AttractionTickets.com, said: "Contrary to what many travellers believe, industry data suggests that booking flights within a window of eight to 23 days before departure can offer some of the most competitive prices for international travel. We also know through historical external data that travellers can sometimes save up to 24% on flights if they book them on a Sunday, particularly within this eight to 23-day window.
"Given this timeline, October 13 falls perfectly within that range, making this the optimal date to secure those last-minute more affordable family holiday bookings ahead of this half-term." And it seems that not only are there strategic days to book but there are also specific days when it is often cheaper to fly.
Research also shows that those with departures on a Friday can save up to 26%, especially when it comes to popular locations such as Universal Orlando Resort or Disneyland Paris, adds Bristol Post. Based on this data, Oliver recommends booking flights on October 13 and actually flying on October 25, just after school finishes.
Best dates to book last-minute Christmas holidays
In addition, the ticketing expert has suggestions for the best times to book a last-minute Christmas holiday flight. Oliver said: "Following the same eight-to-23 days prior to travel formula, and honing in on the Sunday bookings and Friday flights rule, we can already identify that the best dates to book a last-minute Christmas holiday.
"These are December 8 and 15, and flying on either December 13 or 20." He added: "In my experience, prices at Christmas almost always tend to spike the week before, so you can avoid this by making sure you book ahead of December 17.
"Remember, it’s a risk to book things last-minute, so opt for using ticketing sites with fixed pricing models like ours and always do your research to get the best deals."
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