Linea Directa 200 LEFT COL CAR INSURANCE

PROPERTY SEARCH

DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residential cross content 1200

Date Published: 27/03/2023

Fly for less this summer with expert tips on how to bag a bargain

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

The price of flights can vary wildly depending on the day and time you book

Fly for less this summer with expert tips on how to bag a bargain

Easter getaways, mid-term breaks and summer holidays are a luxury that most of us are unwilling to forgo, despite the added pressures of inflation and the general rising cost of living. Major airlines like Ryanair have already warned that high-season ticket prices to Spain will experience a major hike this year, but there are some tips that can help holidaymakers bag a bargain.

Through analysing the behaviours of tourists and airlines, comparison site Jetcost has produced a manual for savvy travellers containing all the tricks of the trade to make sure you save a few euros on your next trip.

Here are the keys to finding the cheapest flights:

The best and worst times to book

This is where night owls come up trumps as the cheapest time to buy a plane ticket appears to be in the wee hours. A price analysis shows that it’s best to book flights on a Tuesday, and the optimum time to whip out the credit card is at 2am.

On the other hand, prices are at their highest at 1 in the afternoon, and the difference can be as much as 12 euros each way.

If you’re not keen on staying up that late, in general it’s cheaper to book flights at night: tickets bought between 8am and 8pm cost, on average, 67 euros but this drops to 63 euros after 8pm.

Watch out for the weekends

Sunday is by far the most expensive day to book a flight and all fares are generally cheaper if you log on between Monday and Wednesday.

Fly in low season

While we all might hanker after that summer sun holiday, it’s far more economical to travel off-peak, in the months of January, February and March. Flights are also a lot cheaper in September and October, while great bargains can be had right after major holidays like Christmas and Easter.

Unsurprisingly, June and July tend to be the most expensive months with prices practically doubling.

Cheat on your airline

We all tend to stick with the same carrier year after year out of familiarity, but being unfaithful this once and looking elsewhere could save you a fortune.

Shop around and take advantage of different offers, or use different airlines for each leg of the journey.

Another money-saving option can be to fly into and out of different airports. The most important thing, according to the experts, is to be flexible.

Flights with stopovers are always cheaper and can be a great option if you have the time. This may not always offer a deal though, especially if the flight times mean you need to check into a hotel.

Book in advance

Prices increase on the days immediately prior to departure so it’s recommended that travellers book at least a week in advance, but longer if possible. The data show that buying a ticket two months before a trip can save as much as 10%.

Keep an eye on last-minute offers

On the flip side of booking ahead of time, many airlines offer great last-minute deals if the flight isn’t full. This is where flexibility comes back into play through, as you likely won’t have much choice on the day or time of travel.

Compare, compare, compare

Smartphones have made it incredibly easy to check the price of flights on the move and it’s important to keep comparing the different airlines and airports on a regular basis. Most carriers now also offer notifications and alerts when they launch special offers.

Also of interest: Hand luggage allowances on flights in Spain for 2023

Image: Archive

Linea Directa Bottom Article M-Z CAR INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)