Let’s face it — flights have no mercy on the wallet. Most travelers do everything they can to bring airfare costs down. Some choose to book travel far out in advance. Others use sites like Cheap Flights or Kayak to compare prices. There are also other variables that can impact flight costs like inflation which, unfortunately, we have no control over.
So, which day of the week is the cheapest to fly? The answer varies.
The Dispute Over The Cheapest Days To Book A Flight
If you type “What is the cheapest day to fly?” into Google, it will yield a few different results.
For example, Thrifty Traveler writes, “Regardless if you’re buying on Sundays, Tuesdays, or on Fridays, it matters more when you actually get on the plane than when you buy your tickets. But don’t just take our word for it. New analysis released by the team behind Google Flights shows that shopping for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays instead of Saturdays or Sundays isn’t saving you money.”
Travelers Worldwide has a different answer. An article published this past February concluded that Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly overall.
The founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler, told CNN, “I’ve found that it is generally cheaper to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. That is not a hard rule, but I have found it to be the case the majority of the time.”
Are You Flying Nationally Or Internationally?
Whether you’re flying within the United States or overseas also impacts price.
Traveler’s Worldwide writes that Wednesday and Thursday are the cheapest days to fly internationally, while Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are ideal for domestic travel.
Moreover, the publication notes that Wednesday offers savings as high as 15% to 20%.
Demand Can Influence Flight Costs
Because of school and work obligations, travelers commonly book flights departing towards the end of the week and returning the following weekend. Traveler’s Worldwide suggests that flying out and returning mid-week, is an excellent way to save money.
Your own flexibility can also make a difference. If you want to fly to London, for example, remember that it is serviced by six major airports: London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, and London Southend. Depending on where you’re flying from, you can save money by being open to multiple airports.
RELATED: Here Are The 5 Best Websites For Booking Travel Excursions