PICKING the right dates for a holiday is a huge part of the travel planning process.
But it turns out when you actually make those bookings — that is, how many weeks or months in advance you start buying your airfares — can be just as important.
And in some cases, you can save more than 60 per cent on flights if you strike at the right time, according to KAYAK.com.au.
The travel booking site has analysed more than one billion searches for major Australian cities, as well as our favourite overseas destinations, to determine the best time to book to snag the cheapest prices.
The data also reveals the days of the week travellers should fly to each destination, in order to secure the cheapest fares.
“Our latest data analysis shows that Australian travellers can save considerable amounts of money just by booking at the right time and travelling on certain days,” Susan Lee, KAYAK’s Director of Asia Pacific, said.
Heading to Paris? Start booking four months ahead. Picture: iStockSource:Supplied
In one example, travellers looking to visit Bali via Denpasar could save up to 50 per cent if they book about 10 months in advance of their trip.
But if you’re hoping to head to somewhere else, such as Perth, London or Bangkok, the best time to book may be completely different.
So if you’re looking to get away sometime in 2017, either within Australia or overseas, check this advice from KAYAK.com.au to find out whether you should book now or wait for later.
DOMESTIC TRAVEL
Booking airfares about two to three months in advance of trips to Australian cities can see travellers save an average of 46 per cent.
But some destinations require earlier planning, while others let you get away with being more spontaneous.
The data also reveals weekend days are generally a pretty cost-efficient day to fly domestically. But for your return flight, the data shows it pays to aim for the midweek.
Here’s the advice for Australia’s top travel destinations.
Melbourne: Book six months in advance to potentially save up to 59 per cent. Best departure day is Saturday and best return day is Tuesday.
Sydney: Book one month in advance to potentially save up to 53 per cent. Depart on a Sunday and return on a Tuesday.
Fly to Melbourne on a Saturday and fly back on a Tuesday. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Brisbane: Book two weeks in advance to potentially save up to 37 per cent. Depart on a Saturday and return on a Wednesday.
Perth: Book seven months in advance to potentially save up to 53 per cent. Depart on a Saturday and return on a Wednesday.
Gold Coast: Book one month in advance to potentially save up to 36 per cent. Depart on a Monday and return on a Wednesday.
C airns: Book two months in advance to potentially save up to 43 per cent. Depart on a Wednesday and return on a Saturday.
Hobart: Book six months in advance to potentially save up to 52 per cent. Depart on a Sunday and return on a Thursday.
Adelaide: Book one month in advance to potentially save up to 38 per cent. Depart on a Monday and return on a Wednesday.
Ca nberra: Book six weeks in advance to potentially save up to 43 per cent. Depart on a Thursday and return on a Monday.
Darwin: Book less than two weeks in advance to potentially save up to 48 per cent. Depart on a Friday and return on a Tuesday.
Start booking early for your trip to Los Angeles. Picture: iStockSource:istock
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Similarly, KAYAK.com.au narrowed down the best times to book, and the best days to fly, to score the cheapest airfares for each of Australians’ top cities to travel overseas.
London: Book three months in advance to potentially save up to 31 per cent. Depart on a Wednesday and return on a Tuesday.
Los Angeles: Book nine months in advance to potentially save up to 40 per cent. Depart on a Tuesday and return on a Sunday.
Denpasar (Bali): Book 10 months in advance to potentially save up to 50 per cent. Depart on a Monday and return on a Wednesday.
Singapore: Book eight months in advance to potentially save up to 46 per cent. Depart on a Thursday and return on a Monday.
Tokyo: Book nine months in advance to potentially save up to 41 per cent. Depart on a Tuesday and return on a Monday.
Auckland: Book three months in advance to potentially save up to 53 per cent. Depart on a Thursday and return on a Friday.
Prices to Bangkok are best if you aim to travel on a Monday. Picture: iStockSource:istock
Bangkok: Book six months in advance to potentially save up to 29 per cent. Depart on a Monday and return on a Tuesday.
New Delhi: Book six months in advance to potentially save up to 38 per cent. Depart on a Sunday and return on a Monday.
Paris: Book four months in advance to potentially save up to 38 per cent. Depart on a Monday and return on a Wednesday.
Honolulu: Book two months in advance to potentially save up to 63 per cent. Depart on Tuesday and return on a Thursday.
