Few things are better in life than hopping on a plane and traveling to a foreign country. The thrill and excitement of meeting new people, trying exotic foods, and immersing in a different culture can enrich both the mind and body.
But, like most great things in life, traveling can be costly. That’s one of the main reason some people don’t get to enjoy the benefits of visiting new countries.
Fortunately, there are ways to get amazing deals and travel cheaply. So, here’s what you need to know before booking and airline for vacation.
- Prices Constantly Change
Don’t get alarmed if you’ve found a good price for your tickets in the morning and by the time you decided to buy them, the prices have already gone up. It’s common for ticket prices to change during the day, even up to three times, so check your booking website as frequent as you possible.
- Choose Your Travel Date Wisely
Sundays are, statistically, the most expensive days to fly, while Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the cheapest days of the week to travel. Airlines usually lower their prices on these days because of the smaller number of customers they get.
There are also a few days during the year when it’s the absolute worst to fly, namely Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Booking sites like SAA flight bookings allow you to select your departure and return date, so you can easily check and compare prices on different days of the week.
- Buy Tickets in Advance
Most of you know by now that the earlier you book your flight, the better the deal you’re going to get. But how early should you actually start looking for your vacation tickets? There have been countless studies concerning the best time to buy the cheapest plane tickets. According to statistics, six to eight weeks before your departure should be the best option you have.
Of course, this isn’t exact science, and you can’t base all your plans on the fact that you’ll actually get the best possible deal during that period. There are numerous exceptions to this rule, such as last-minute offers that only the luckiest or quickest on their feet can get. However, if you do choose to book early, you’ll have the luxury of ending up with a bigger selection of flights, which will especially come in handy if you’re traveling during major holidays.
- The Booking Day Also Matters
Aside from making sure you plan your trip a few weeks or even months ahead, another important thing to factor in is the day you purchase your tickets. That’s right, that also influences your flight’s prices.
The best day that’s statistically proven you can get the best deal on your flight is Tuesday, either in the morning or the afternoon. At the far opposite end is Friday. Studies have shown that because of the high prices this is the worst day you can book a flight.
- Consider Red Eye Flights
Very early or overnight flights almost always have lower prices, so you might want to take advantage of that if you’re looking to save some money. Not only will your budget thank you but the risk of experiencing long delays is also lower.
The best hours to fly are before 11 a.m. or after 11 p.m. when you’ll be avoiding the dreadful never-ending waiting periods and possible massive layovers.
Studies and statistics will only help you so much as far as plane ticket booking is concerned. Stay on budget, plan thoroughly and remember to stay healthy to experience the perfect vacation!
