Travel myths busted: here’s how to book cheap flights

By Katherine Steiner-Dicks Last updated Feb 23, 2025

Photo by Chevanon Photography via Pexels

Dream of working from a beachside cafe one week and a mountain cabin the next? Some freelancers do, seemingly living a life of perpetual work-life balance. But how do they actually afford it? In this article, we reveal the travel experts’ secrets to scoring cheap flights in 2025 and debunk some myths along the way. We also have 4 tips that can give you a luxury holiday on a budget.

Let’s face some facts. Flight prices are up 7.1% on last year, according to NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index. Hotel prices are also rising.

Overall, travel expenses are 4% higher than they were this time in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics. What’s particularly concerning for those planning holidays is that this 4% increase in travel costs outpaces the general rate of inflation.

Here’s another reason why flight prices will continue to go up. From January 1, 2025, anyone flying out of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland can expect higher ticket prices, according to a report by Prague Morning, an English-language news site.

The report said airfare prices will continue to increase with a “second price hike is projected for 2027, when EU emission allowances are expected to extend to households.” This is connected to the EU’s commitment to airlines using a percentage of sustainable fuel to cut back on carbon emissions.

So, with airfares rising are there still ways to find a deal?

With inflation impacting every aspect of our daily lives, including our holidays, I wanted to share some helpful tips I discovered after reviewing reports from Reader’s Digest and Expedia. These insights provide practical advice for finding good travel deals, cutting through the usual travel-blog waffle.

Expedia has also launched a new “Flight Deals” tool within their app. This is a customisable deals feed, allowing travellers to browse current flight offers from their local airport. You can search for deals to any destination, filter by destination and travel dates, and set up personalised alerts. Importantly, the “Flight Deals” tool only displays fares that are at least 20% lower than the typical predicted price, so travellers can be more confident they’re getting a genuine bargain.

Forget the myths

Forget those old tips about booking at weird hours. Turns out, it’s more about timing. There’s this “Goldilocks Window” – a sweet spot where prices tend to be lowest.

Domestic trips: Think 1 to 3 months out. According to data from Google Flights, around 38 days before take-off seems to be a good average
International adventures: You’ll need to plan further ahead, like 2 to 8 months. Expedia suggests aiming for around 60 days before your flight.
Holiday chaos: Thanksgiving? Book around 45 days before. Christmas? 58 days. And summer holidays? Start hunting in winter. Seriously.

One myth buster from Expedia is August is the cheapest month to travel, and February and March are the most expensive. This may seem odd given how many people in the UK go on holiday in August, but so do the Spaniards, the French, the Italians, and the list goes on. The Expedia report specified that travelling domestically in August vs. February can save travellers 12%. Flying internationally in August vs. March can save up to 7%.

Expedia also suggests you should book international flights just 18 to 29 days before departure and save up to 17% versus booking three months out or more. Perhaps this is for those families that love to live on the wild side and are flexible where they go and don’t have to go to the most touristy of places. For example, Albania and Macedonia offer Mediterranean culture and holiday spots at a fraction of the cost of some destinations such as Italy or Croatia.

Day of the that you book v. fly

For the third year in a row, Expedia’s data shows Sunday is the cheapest day to “book” flights. Domestic travellers can save 6% while international travellers can save 17% compared to booking on a Monday or Friday.

However, it’s not just when you book, it’s when you “fly”. Regardless of fare class and destination, flying on Thursday instead of Sunday can save travellers 17%.

Domestic travellers should “depart” on Saturday instead of Sunday to save 17%, says Expedia. On the international front, Thursday is the cheapest day to “fly”—travellers can save 15% compared to flying on a Sunday.

Flying on major domestic holidays (such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving in the US) can be surprisingly cheap.

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4 ways to have a luxury holiday on a budget:

Dine Smartly:
- Enjoy lunch at high-end restaurants instead of dinner, as prices are often lower
- Explore local markets and street food for authentic and affordable meals
Use Public Transport:
- Opt for premium public transport or shared transfers instead of private chauffeurs
Take Advantage of Free Activities:
- Many luxury hotels offer complimentary activities like yoga classes, guided tours, or wine tastings
Explore Local Experiences:
- Instead of only spending money on expensive tourist traps, try to find local experiences that add value to your trip

Keeping an open mind when booking your next trip

Flexibility: Can you shift your dates? Consider different destinations. Open up your options.
Layovers aren’t evil: Direct flights are nice, but layovers can save you a bundle
Use the tools: Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, and Momondo – set up price alerts and let them do the work
Budget airlines: Don’t dismiss them outright. Just read the fine print on baggage fees
Use those points: If you have them, use them