Booking the cheapest times to go on holiday in 2024 | Travel News | Travel

Travel expert Scott Poniewaz, the founder of EXEC, recommened “off-peak seasons” when travelling.

“Early spring or late autumn tend to offer the cheapest holiday options,” said Scott, who has spent more than 15 years in the travel and deals space.

This is because they are less in demand, but Scott advises against booking last-minute getaways.

“If you book a last-minute trip, it still might be expensive,” Scott cautioned.

“That is why you should book flights and accommodations well in advance; ideally one to two months ahead for domestic trips and two to three months for international ones.”

Scott assured: “Follow this general rule, and you should usually secure better deals.”

As for where to book, the top tip is to book “directly through airline websites or accomodation platforms for competitive prices”.

He still recommends looking through comparison sites, though, such as:

• Kayak
• Skyscanner
• Google Flights.

Keen travellers are encouraged to subscribe to airline newsletters, or to set fare alerts, so that you can be in the know when it comes to price drops.

“From here, you can pounce on any new deals and ensure you get the cheapest holiday possible,” said Scott.

If you can be flexible with travel dates and destinations, you might make “significant savings”.

Scott added: “Lastly, look for accommodations beyond hotels. Search for holiday rentals or hostels.

“These are often available at more budget-friendly rates, particularly through platforms like Airbnb or Hostelworld.”

What about if I want to go during peak season?

Expedia 2024’s Air Travel Hacks Report recommends booking flights for a holiday on Sunday, rather than Friday, to gain up to 23 percent in savings.

When it comes to actually flying out to another country, though, do try find a flight that leaves the UK on a Friday, which is much cheaper than a flight on Sunday.

In terms of reducing the likelihood of any flight cancellations, try to time your Friday flight befote 3pm if you can.

Expedia recommends taking advantage of its Price Tracking feature on the Expedia app so you can be notified when flight prices change and nudged when it’s the best time to book.