What is the best day of the week to fly?
Tuesday
Deciding what day of the week is best to fly can be trickier than figuring out which flight time best suits you, as it relies more on other travelers’ decisions than your personal preference. According to Kayak, travelers can find “cheaper fares mid-week, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays often being more affordable days to fly out and return home.” Rachel Mumford, Kayak’s UK Travel Expert, tells us that “mid-week flights tend to be less popular amongst both leisure and business travelers, so airlines often lower prices to fill seats.”
“The best day of the week to fly, for leisure, is a Tuesday, in my view,” says Paul Charles. “This avoids the weekend city break travelers and the families, so you tend to get better seat availability. Having said that, it depends on the destination you’re going to.”
As a general tip, Charles advises to consider flying indirect when planning your itinerary. “Not only to often get a cheaper seat, but also to actually enjoy your journey a bit more,” says Charles, “Having a transit stop can enable you to take a walk in the airport terminal, get some steps in, browse in shops and even enjoy a walk in a tropical rainforest, such as at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Slowing down your journey can lead to a less stressful one.”
Friday
“Choosing which day to travel depends on the aim of your holiday,” Sophie Knight, CNT’s visuals editor, says. “If I’m doing a weekend away, I hate wasting valuable holiday days, so I try to book my flights accordingly—leaving Friday after work and returning late on a Sunday. Obviously, these tend to be the more expensive flights, so I try to keep an eye out for cheap flight deals.”
Sarah Allard, digital director, is with Sophie here. “I’m a big advocate of maximizing annual leave and getting in as many trips in a year as my 25 days (and bank holidays) will allow. A European city break is hard to beat, so I’m more than happy to set my alarm for an ungodly hour on a Friday morning, whizz to the airport, and jet off to my chosen destination in time for a mid-morning coffee and pastry.”
Must you fly out on other days, there are still ways to game the week to tip the odds in your favor. “Flying on a Saturday evening, instead of a Sunday evening, can ensure you get to your destination before the crowd and also often get a cheaper flight, especially if you’re flying in a premium cabin,” says Charles.
What is the best month of the year to fly?
“I think the best month of the year to fly for leisure is October,” says Paul. “It is past peak season, you still get frequent services before the winter timetable change, it’s still warm in Europe and getting warmer in Africa, and flight prices are more reasonable.”
This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK.