Flying is definitely the most convenient way to get somewhere far away. Many people fly regularly due to business responsibilities. There are even people who fly several times a month for entertainment purposes. Flights can be quite expensive if you don’t take the time to try to find the best deal, though.
Many people have been asking us the question, “what are the least expensive days to fly?” The truth is that this question is somewhat tough to answer. There are some days that will wind up being a bit less expensive on average, but there’s also a bit more to think about. To come to a proper understanding of this issue, it’s a good idea to examine things as thoroughly as possible.
Join us as we take a deep look into the least expensive days to fly. We’ll also tell you as much as we can about saving money on airfare so that you can get the best deal. Making use of this information should help you to keep as much of your hard-earned money in your wallet as possible. Just dig into the information below and you’ll feel like you have a much better handle on what needs to be done.
Does the Day of the Week Really Matter?
It’s actually true that buying airfare on specific days of the week will have a good chance of being less expensive. There is a concept that is known as “off-peak” travel days. These are days that are less popular travel dates that will wind up being a little bit less expensive than usual. If you book a flight that is slated for any time between Monday and Thursday morning, then you’ll be able to get less expensive airfare than usual, on average.
Within this period of time, many people actually say that there are two specific days that are even less expensive than usual for travel. If you want to get a fantastic deal on a flight, then booking your flight for Tuesday or Wednesday is going to be your best bet. These days are going to allow you to get some very good deals on many travel destinations. This is going to be true for just about any US domestic flight.
You also need to know to avoid buying flights on the weekend if you’re looking for a good deal. Weekend flights are always going to be the most expensive. Airports are busier on the weekends and people are always going to be trying to travel to different events during this time. If you can fly in a few days early, it’s often going to be possible to save a significant chunk of change.
The worst possible day to fly for prices is Friday. Airfare is typically going to be at its apex on Fridays, so do your best to fly in on Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the high prices. If you can follow these simple rules, then it should be a lot easier to save money on airfare. Just taking the time to look for off-peak travel dates is going to give you a much better traveling experience.
Booking in Advance Makes a Difference, Too
The day of the week isn’t the only thing that you should be thinking about if you want to save some money. You should also consider booking as far in advance as you can. For the most part, you’ll be able to save a bit of money by booking your flights ahead of time. Booking flights at the last minute is always going to be pricier and it’s a waste of your money.
If you can take the time to book your flight at least 21 days in advance, you’ll be able to save a good bit of cash. There are many benefits to booking airfare ahead of time aside from saving money. For example, the earlier you book a flight the more likely it is that there will be good seats available. When you wait until the last minute, you’ll often be forced to sit in less than ideal seats on your flight.
There are also some airlines that offer a discount for those who are paying for their airfare in full right away. Some people need to finance their airfare charges using a credit card, but being able to pay in full might lead to a discount. Keep this in mind and look into your options. You can sometimes get a similar discount for booking a hotel in advance and paying in full, so it pays to do a bit of research.
Also, if you’re going to be traveling during a popular travel time or to a sought-after destination, you should book further in advance than usual. It’s going to be a good idea to book your flight up to 90 days ahead of time to get the best results. This will ensure that you get your arrangements in order and that you get a good deal for booking in advance. As long as you have the money to pay for things, this is going to be the best way to go about booking your travel.
Consider Looking at Nearby Airports
Many people decide to book their airfare for whatever the closest airport is. This is definitely going to be the most convenient option, but it might not be the best route for you to take. Sometimes, you’ll be able to save a good bit of money by considering alternative airports. Many states have one of two well-known airports and several others that are a bit smaller, giving you many options to think about.
Booking your flight out of one of the smaller airports is often going to be less expensive than booking airfare through one of the larger airports. The large airports are typically going to be busier than the smaller ones and this can actually be more stressful in the long run. You might have a simpler time if you choose to book your airfare at the smaller airport. As long as it isn’t too far out of your way, this is a great idea for saving money.
For example, those who live in Michigan often fly out of Detroit. The Detroit airport is going to be fairly busy and is actually quite large. Flint Bishop International Airport is much smaller and it isn’t too far from Detroit. If you book your flight in Flint instead of Detroit, it might wind up being less expensive and more convenient.
A lot of this really depends on your personal situation. Sometimes, you won’t be close enough to one of the smaller airports to make this a practical option. If you have to spend too much money on gas, then you might wind up not really saving any money versus simply flying out of the larger airport. Take your situation into account and make some calculations to see if this is a plausible idea for you.
Flexible Dates Might Help You to Save Money
Making use of flexible dates is another great way to save a bit of money. If you simply have a period of time that you want to travel and don’t need to stick to a specific date, then it’ll be easier to find an inexpensive flight. Being able to be as flexible as possible on your flight dates will allow you to save cash. If you can fly in a little earlier or a little later than you originally intended, then you will likely be able to save some money.
You should be able to start looking at the airfare prices right away to see how much flights are going for. Search your ideal flight times first and then look around to see if alternative dates are a bit less expensive. Sometimes, even changing your desired flight time by a few hours will allow you to save some cash. If you’re willing to do the research, you’ll definitely be able to find a good flight deal.
If you combine this with the advice from above, then you should have a good overall experience. Look for the off-peak travel days to save some money. Perhaps you’re going to an amusement park on Saturday and planned to travel to your destination on Friday. Flying in on Wednesday or Thursday would likely save you a lot of money on airfare, so it might be more practical to spend an extra couple of days on vacation.
Of course, this isn’t going to be an option for everyone. Some people have very rigid schedules that they need to be able to adhere to. If this is the case for you, then you should still try to plan your time off so that it’ll match up with the off-peak travel days. Otherwise, you might simply have to pay a bit more for your airfare if you really do have to travel on the weekend.
Non-Stop Flights Are Always More Expensive
It’s also very important to understand that purchasing a non-stop flight ticket is going to be more expensive. This is common knowledge and most people who fly already know this. If you’re new to flying, then you might not be aware that you can get a better deal by purchasing tickets that make use of connecting flights. These tickets are going to involve more travel time, but they’re often significantly less expensive.
If you aren’t in a hurry and you don’t mind spending a little extra time at the airport, then you’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars. Non-stop flights are super convenient for those who just want to get to their destination as fast as they can. Even so, you’ll likely love being able to keep as much money in your wallet as you can, too. You have to weigh the convenience of the non-stop flights against the potential savings of going with connecting flights.
The best thing to do is to research the cost of both options. Sometimes, non-stop flights might be fairly affordable. It will usually depend on the time of the year and the destination that you’re going to. Other times, there is going to be a drastic difference between the prices of non-stop flights and traditional connecting flights.
Do your best to pick the option that works the best for you. There are going to be many options out there to consider. Spending a bit of time at the airport to catch a connecting flight might be worthwhile. For those with strict schedules, this might not be a practical option.
In Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen the information about the least expensive flight dates, you’ll be able to have a much easier time finding reasonably priced airfare. If you take the time to find off-peak travel dates, then you’re going to be able to save a lot of cash. When you want to travel without having to break the bank, it’s going to be worthwhile to look into this. You can get where you want to go without having to spend a ton of money.
Try your best to travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays whenever you can. You’ll often be able to save hundreds of dollars simply by flying on the least popular travel days. Also, avoiding travel during busy times, such as the holidays, is going to help you to avoid high ticket prices. As long as you use your common sense, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a great deal on airfare.
Just remember to follow the above advice as much as you possibly can. There are certainly going to be times where you’ll need to fly during specific dates. You might not be able to get the best deal if you have to fly on the weekend or if you need to fly during the Christmas season. Even so, the above tips will still apply and you can try to get the most reasonable deal that you can.
Flying is so important for so many people. You can have a good experience when you’re flying and keep the costs as low as possible. Just be vigilant and remain mindful of what you’ve learned here when booking flights. You have the proper knowledge to find inexpensive flights now, so use it wisely.
