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 travellers’ decisions than your personal preference. According to Kayak, travellers 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 travellers, 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 travellers and the families, so you tend to get better seat availability. Having said that, it depends on the destination you’re going to.”
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 maximising annual leave and getting in as many trips in a year as my 25 days (plus 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.”
According to Skyscanner’s latest analysis, the cheapest day to fly is a Friday – but the reality is that the cheapest day to fly varies according to route and month. If you’re set on travelling on a certain day, it might be better to try to widen your net of destinations you’re willing to visit. Skyscanner travel expert, Laura Lindsay, explains: “Popular spots during peak times can be busier and more expensive to travel to. Exploring ‘destination dupes’ is a great way to discover new places. Travellers can explore new destinations that are often cheaper and less busy yet offer a similar experience. For example, Reggio Calabria offers a brilliant alternative to Tenerife. New budget flights are making it easier to enjoy the southern Italian seaside city of Reggio Calabria, the most populous city in Calabria, which sits across from Sicily on the Strait of Messina. With sunny southern weather, a rugged landscape and a fabulous coastline, this makes it a fantastic destination for 2026.”
What is the best month of the year to fly?
October
“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. But avoid the last week of October when it’s half-term as prices will be higher then.” Travelling in October certainly comes with its rewards – summer crowds are thinning across Europe, soft light abounds, and autumn colours make every destination look ten times prettier. Try the Greek islands for the last of the summer sun, or head to the Tuscan countryside for a wine escape while the harvest is ripe.
