When is the best time to book flights, trains or holidays?

Timing is everything — especially when it comes to travel savings. Whether you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise or a weekend city break, knowing when to book can mean the difference between a great deal and a hefty bill.

For example, conventional wisdom says early birds bag the cheapest holidays. But that’s not to say there aren’t last-minute bargains to be had – especially if you are flexible about when and where you go. Whether you’re travelling by plane, train, or automobile (or a combination), here’s what you need to know to time your bookings perfectly.

What’s on this page?

• When is the best time to book a flight?
• When is the cheapest time to book a holiday?
• When is the best time to book train tickets?
• When is the best time to book a rental car?

When is the best time to book a flight?

Flight prices fluctuate constantly, influenced by factors like demand, season, and even the day of the week. For best value on short-haul flights, aim to book one to three months in advance. For long-haul flights, the sweet spot is typically two to six months ahead. If you have no option but to travel at peak time, you may need to book six to nine months in advance.

Usually, the cheapest days of the week to fly are Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday — ticket prices will be 13% lower than fares for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, according to recent Google Flights data.

Dynamic pricing (where prices are adjusted according to demand) means that this isn’t always the case. But if you’ve got the flexibility to adjust your travel dates by a day or two, it’s worth comparing prices for different dates.

And if you’re not tied to travelling in school holidays, you’re already in a better position. Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner travel expert, explains: “Since airfares are tied to supply and demand, prices are always cheaper when there are more seats available. As seats fill, prices rise, but airlines are watching booking trends very closely and increasing flights on busier routes. As they do this, prices will change.”

Booking tips: 

• Set up a price alert on Skyscanner, Google Flights or Kayak to monitor price changes. 
• Check out the best time to book flights to popular destinations with Skyscanner’s savings generator tool. 
• Book airport parking before you arrive for big savings. When we checked, it cost £115 to park at Gatwick North Terminal for a week if you booked a month in advance, or £229 if you booked on the day. Use price comparison sites like Holiday Extras or SkyParkSecure to find the best deals. 

When is the best time to book a holiday?

This all depends on the type of trip, season, and how flexible you are. David Wickers, former chief travel correspondent at The Sunday Times, says: “The concept of ‘liquid pricing’, whereby tour operators and airlines continually monitor supply and demand and immediately adjust prices online, means that there are no longer hard and fast rules determining the best times to buy a holiday.”

Analysis by Travel Supermarket of its holiday searches since February 2024 suggests that the best time to book a ‘mid-range’ trip is typically between four to 10 weeks ahead of departure, with particularly strong pricing between the six-to nine-week mark.

“That said, the best timing does vary depending on the traveller type – for example, if you are travelling with the family, you may still be better off locking in early to take advantage of school holiday availability and early booking deals,” says Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at Travel Supermarket.

“If you’re flexible, you might find last-minute deals, but choice becomes limited. For most people, booking six to nine weeks in advance strikes a good balance between price and availability – especially if you’ve got specific needs or dates in mind,” he adds.

For higher-value holidays – such as those costing £5,000 or more – Webber advises booking as far ahead as possible. “For higher-end trips, prices tended to be lowest around seven months in advance and increased sharply beyond that.”

At a glance: best time to book a holiday

• Summer beach: Jan-March (for July/August)

• Christmas getaway:  May-June (for December)

• Ski holiday: April-June (for winter breaks)  

• City break: 2-4 months ahead

• Luxury holiday/cruises: 6-12 months ahead

Booking tips:

• Look for price match guarantees — where the travel company refunds the difference if the price drops later. 
• Book via cashback platforms like TopCashback or Quidco to earn a percentage of your holiday booking back (typically 5-15%). 
• Fancy a cruise? Check out last minute deals 90 days before departure – this is when people are most likely to pull out before cancellation charges apply. 

When is the best time to book train tickets?

The golden rule? Book as early as the system allows. Train operators typically release ‘advance’ tickets — offering the best prices — about 12 weeks before the travel date.  But it does vary so check your train operator’s website.

For instance, LNER can release tickets up to 24 weeks in advance; Greater Anglia 10-12 weeks and Avanti West Coast 12-24 weeks ahead. Be aware that, although you can usually amend your ticket (often for a fee), the advance tickets are usually non-refundable, so make sure your plans are firm before booking.

Booking tips: 

• Set an email alert on Trainline or set a calendar reminder for when tickets are released for your desired route. 
• Use tools like Trainline’s Fare Finder or SplitMyFare to find the best price. 
• Haven’t managed to book well in advance? It’s still worth checking. You can sometimes get advance tickets up until the day before, or even on the day. ‘Super off peak’ tickets can be bought on the day – check on your train operator’s website to see which times of day they consider to be ‘super off peak’. It’s also worth checking for promotions and deals on the operator’s website or app. 

Read more about how to save money on train travel.

When is the best time to book car hire?

Car hire prices hit their cheapest point around two weeks before departure, though there’s a wide window of good value between two weeks and five months in advance. During this period, the average price per day is roughly 10% cheaper, according to Travel Supermarket.

Ed Sharp, head of car hire at Travel Supermarket says: “Car hire prices aren’t swinging as wildly as they did post-pandemic, so there’s less pressure to jump early. I’d recommend using a deal with free cancellation – book something you’re happy with, then check back for drops as your trip approaches.”

But, if you’re looking for larger or more specific cars, and particularly during peak periods, don’t wait until the last-minute as availability will be limited.

Booking tips.

• Use car hire comparison websites to find the best deals. 
• Avoid booking airport pick-up if you can as it’s likely to be more expensive, due to airport surcharges. If you can get to the car hire location, you’re likely to get lower rates. 
• Book via cashback sites for further savings. 

Summary

Ultimately, securing the best travel deals combines timely booking with flexibility. By understanding these booking windows and employing a few smart strategies, you can significantly reduce the cost of your next adventure, leaving more in your pocket to enjoy the journey.