Planning a holiday isn't something you can simply do on a whim, and whether you're looking to spend a few days at the beach or a weekend wandering around an ancient European city, picking out a destination can take some time. When it comes to booking a holiday on a budget, even a last-minute one, there's no shortage of advice out there.
While some experts argue that January is the best month to bag holiday offers and save yourself more money to spend on your trip, others recommend booking flights just six weeks in advance, depending on the destination. It's also important to consider prices, which often peak during school holidays, especially in August, when more people are looking to go on holiday when the kids are off school.
In most cases, leaving it until the last minute can end up costing you more money, which is why it's usually advised to spend some time planning your travels. Preparing a budget and taking some time to plan can make booking a holiday more affordable and probably more enjoyable.
But according to Skyscanner's Smarter Summer Report, there are a few dates in particular you should be keeping an eye on. If you're still looking to book a holiday this year, the travel search engine revealed that holiday-makers should look to book a trip at the start of July, reports the Express.
A recent report analysing travel data has pinpointed the second week of July as a period when "demand eases", making Monday, July 7 to Sunday, July 13 the most affordable week of the summer to travel. Interestingly, the annual study also discovered that Saturdays are the optimal days for budget-friendly travel this year.
Contrary to popular belief that weekends are pricier due to higher demand, Saturdays were identified as the least expensive day to travel. The misconception about Saturday travel may stem from the fact that flight prices typically surge during this time of the week.
It's a well-established fact that Tuesdays are a more economical day to book flights, with Skyscanner explaining this is "because airlines often release sales starting from Monday night or Tuesday morning."
However, the yearly report doesn't completely dismiss the idea of travelling earlier in the week, and even found that Tuesday was the cheapest day to fly to popular destinations like Malaga.
According to the travel search engine, early July offers the best deals for flights to Malaga, with a ticket on Tuesday, July 1 costing a mere £153 compared to the average £187.
