Dreaming of destinations like Guadeloupe, Canada, Thailand, Bangkok, Madeira, Nice, Toulouse, Lyon, Mauritius, New York, Reunion, Marseille, Calvi, or Corsica? The key question for savvy travelers is: when's the optimal time to buy plane tickets online for the lowest prices?
This isn't straightforward, but as travel experts who've analyzed years of fare data, we recommend three battle-tested techniques to secure cheaper flights. Each has its pros and cons—let's break them down so you can pick what fits your plans.
Benefits: You're virtually guaranteed fares near the rock-bottom price.
Disadvantages: Planning that far ahead isn't always feasible, and cancellation risks are higher.
Airlines drop prices 6-9 months out because they bank on life events—like illness, family matters, or work obligations—forcing cancellations, allowing them to resell seats. Most carriers open bookings up to a year ahead, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet cap it at 6 months. Check if your route has budget options first; if so, waiting might yield better deals. Outside peak school holidays, there's little gain in booking beyond 6 months.
Benefits: This window often delivers the lowest fares if long-range planning isn't possible, with far less cancellation risk.
Disadvantages: Prices fluctuate wildly—monitor daily, ideally early mornings.
Rigorous studies confirm this as prime time for savings. Variations occur even across comparators, so shop around. Tools like Kayak or Algofly track price history, helping you spot peaks and troughs. Here's our guide to the top flight comparators.
Benefits: Potential for massive bargains.
Disadvantages: High risk of sky-high prices, especially during school holidays in France or your destination.
Last-minute steals aren't limited to specialized sites—scan comparators, full-service airlines, and low-cost carriers alike. Aim for the penultimate day and stay flexible on destinations for the best odds.
- Book midweek, especially Tuesday mornings, when fares are typically cheapest (followed by Wednesdays and Thursdays).
- Set price alerts 3-4 months out on comparators to catch flash drops from group cancellations or extra flights. Works across airlines like Air France, French Bee, Air Corsica, Air Canada, Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea, and sites like Go Voyage, Opodo, Skyscanner, Liligo, Trivago.
What's your go-to strategy for snagging cheap tickets? Share in the comments—we'd love to hear your experiences!
