The Best Time to Book Cheap Flights to Europe
Like most leisure travel destinations, Europe has peak seasons when airfares are highest and off-peak times when fares are lowest. Traveling to Europe in summer can be expensive unless you’re lucky enough to score a deal in the short window before the summer vacation season starts.
The best day to buy a flight to Europe depends on your destination and travel needs, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly.
Spring
The best time to book a flight for the cheapest fare depends on where you’re going and when. The general rule is to book a trip at least two months in advance, but that’s not always the case. Some destinations have seasonality, and other factors influence how far ahead you should book — such as the day of the week you’re traveling.
It’s no secret that booking your flights at the right time can save you a lot of money. But how much of a difference it makes can be a bit less clear-cut than you might think. There are super-organized travel hackers who swear that planning your trip for months will save you a fortune, while others say that last-minute deals are often better than any deal that comes up weeks or even months before your trip.
Generally, you’ll find the lowest airfares for spring and summer trips to Europe, depending on the destination. During these popular seasons, it’s wise to purchase your ticket in advance, especially if you’re traveling during a holiday. For example, Hopper’s data science team determined that fares rise through the summer and peak on holidays such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.
Other tips for snagging the best flights to Europe include being flexible with dates and being willing to depart from a non-prime airport. Buying tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays tends to be cheaper than flying on the weekends, according to CheapAir’s research. However, some fares fluctuate so much (and so randomly) that it’s hard to know when to buy.
Traveling to Europe on a budget can be made easier by using Travel Voucher Codes. Many tour companies and travel websites offer discounts and promotional codes that can save you money on flights, accommodations, and activities. Be sure to research and compare your options to get the best deals. Additionally, consider traveling during the offseason and staying in budget-friendly accommodations such as hostels or Airbnb rentals.
If you haven’t already, it might be a good idea to sign up for a flight alert service. These will send you notifications when prices drop to your preferred destination. That way, you’ll be able to act quickly before the deal expires. Sign up for price alerts with Hopper, Skyscanner, Google Flights, or KAYAK. It’s also a good idea to sign up for an airline’s email newsletter. Many of them offer periodic flash sales and other discounts that can shave off some of the cost of your trip.
Summer
While Europe is a top destination for travelers, airfare can be pricey. But there are proven strategies for snagging low prices. For instance, it’s often cheaper to fly to a less-popular airport than the one you want to depart from, and it can save money to book round-trip flights rather than single-leg trips (especially when visiting multiple cities). And there are times of the year—or even days of the week—when flying to Europe costs much less.
The best time to book a summer trip to Europe depends on the destination, but in general, you should start your search around eight months in advance, according to data from Hopper. If you’re traveling during a popular holiday, you’ll need to act even sooner, as airfares spike through the spring and into July.
For destinations like London, Paris, and Munich, you’re likely to find cheap flights during the second half of June and into August. However, if you’re heading to other European hot spots during peak season, such as Venice for Carnival or Rome for the Olympics, you should expect to pay a premium.
In general, fares are cheapest on Tuesdays, but this can vary depending on the season and your travel dates. Prices are also cheapest on Mondays and Wednesdays and rise on Fridays, weekends, and around holidays.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe, be sure to sign up for price alerts with Hopper or your favorite flight-search site. This will let you know when fares drop to your preferred destination.
As for the day of the week, data from Google Flights shows that fares are at their lowest point 38 days out for spring break travel and at their highest just 21 days before departure for Thanksgiving. Regardless of the season, though, you can find deals by booking on the right day if you’re flexible about your travel plans. You can also take advantage of the fact that many budget airlines fly short-haul routes between Europe and the United States, so be sure to check out options like Norwegian Air or Ryanair. In addition, be on the lookout for flash sales from major airlines, which can happen at any time.
Fall
As summer fades and peak vacation season comes to a close, flight prices are starting to drop, making fall one of the best times to book a trip to Europe. Compared to the average summer ticket price, you can snag a nonstop fall flight from Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) to Barcelona for 30 percent less, or from New York-JFK to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for 20 percent less.
While the exact best time to buy a flight depends on your destination and travel dates, it’s usually best to book flights two to three months in advance, according to Hopper. This is especially true if you’re traveling during popular holidays or during the spring or summer when many people want to take their vacations.
However, it’s always a good idea to monitor flight prices regularly in the lead-up to your travel date. Airfares are notoriously volatile, and prices can drop or rise quickly. To help you keep an eye on fares, consider signing up for fare alerts with a site like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), which will send you email or text updates about your route.
Another trick is to focus on the weekdays when airline prices are the lowest. In general, Monday is the cheapest day to purchase a flight, but this varies by airline. According to CheapAir, Tuesday and Wednesday are also generally cheaper days to purchase a flight.
Belvilla is a vacation rental platform that offers various accommodation options in Europe. By using BudgetAir Discount Codes, you may be able to save money on your accommodation expenses and have more budget to explore Europe. Keep in mind that travel expenses such as flights and transportation may also impact your budget.
The cheapest days to fly to Europe in the fall are October 22 through November 4, but be aware that this is Thanksgiving weekend when hotels and restaurants are full and traffic is heavier. Nonetheless, airfares are still much lower than what you’ll see during other peak travel periods.
If you’re ready to start your European adventure, it’s never too early to book your flight. But don’t wait too long, or you’ll risk missing out on a great deal. For even more savings, consider booking your hotel and flight together through a package deal. You’ll often find better deals this way, and you can rest assured that your entire trip is booked through a trusted source.
Winter
The cheapest flights to Europe are usually available in the winter. Fares are lowest during January and February. This is a great time to visit Europe since the weather is cooler and many European cities are less crowded than at other times of the year.
However, it’s important to remember that there may be fewer activities and events taking place. It’s possible that you might not be able to find the same types of deals and discounts as you could at other times of the year. If you can be flexible and choose your destinations carefully, you can still find some amazing deals in the winter.
When you’re looking to book a flight, be sure to check the dates of any holidays or major events that might drive up prices. You should also be aware that fares can change dramatically depending on the day of the week and even on the month of the year. For example, CheapAir has found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the best days to book air travel, while Sundays tend to be more expensive.
It’s also worth paying attention to the price fluctuations that can happen when a particular airline releases its newest schedule. You can keep an eye on this by signing up for fare alerts through websites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). This will let you know when new sales are available for your chosen routes.
With a bit of planning and patience, you can still score some truly affordable flights to Europe. Just be sure to take advantage of any travel rewards promotions that you can and always use your credit card when booking airfare, so you can earn points toward future trips!
Conclusion
The best day to buy a flight to Europe depends on your destination and travel needs, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly. Fall As summer fades and peak vacation season comes to a close, flight prices are starting to drop, making fall one of the best times to book a trip to Europe. While the exact best time to buy a flight depends on your destination and travel dates, it’s usually best to book flights two to three months in advance, according to Hopper.
