There are people who book their holidays six or eight months ahead, and then there are those who leave everything until the last minute. Both approaches have their reasons, but booking extremely early doesn’t always mean getting the best deal. In fact, sometimes it just means spending months looking at a trip that is already paid for.
Booking early does have its advantages. Popular hotels get booked up, flights can fill quickly during school holidays and anyone travelling with a large family probably doesn’t want to leave things to chance. Having the tickets sorted also means one less thing to worry about.
But there is such a thing as planning too far ahead. Travel plans change, work commitments come up and sometimes the dates that seemed perfect in January aren’t quite so convenient by the time the holiday arrives. And then there is the question of prices. A flight booked months in advance isn’t necessarily cheaper than one booked a little later. Airfares move around, and there isn’t one magic number of weeks before departure that guarantees a good fare.
This is where keeping an eye on prices can help. Skyscanner’s Price Alerts let you track a particular route and receive updates when fares change. So, if there is a destination in mind but no immediate need to book, there is no reason to keep checking the same flight every morning. The alerts can do that part for you.
There is also the question of dates. Sometimes the hotel is available for the entire week, but the flights are much more expensive on the Friday and Saturday. Moving the trip by a day or two could make a difference. Skyscanner’s Whole Month search lets travellers compare prices across different dates, which is handy when there is some flexibility.
Of course, waiting has its risks too. If you’re travelling during Christmas, a major festival or the school holidays, leaving everything until the last minute can mean fewer choices and higher prices. Families who need connecting rooms or travellers with specific flight requirements may also be better off booking once they find an option that works.
There isn’t really a perfect time to book every holiday. It depends on where you’re going, when you’re travelling and how much flexibility you have. Booking early makes sense when the dates and arrangements are fixed, but there is no need to rush simply because a holiday is several months away.
Sometimes keeping an eye on fares for a little longer is the better decision. Just don’t mistake waiting for a good deal with waiting until there are hardly any flights left.
Also Read: Why Travelling to a Popular Destination During the Off-Season Can Be Worth It
