Lifestyle Trend: Travel expert names the exact date to book half-term holiday for ‘savings of 23%’ You Should Know

The date and time you book can affect how much a holiday costs

A travel expert has named the exact date to book your half-term holiday in order to get the best deal. Booking at this time could save you 23 per cent or more.

For many schools across the UK the next break lands on the week of February 16, although this can vary. With this just around the corner, parents across the country will be looking to book last-minute getaways without breaking the bank.

Whilst it may feel like time is running out, travel booking experts at AttractionTickets.com have advised that there’s actually a sweet spot to secure affordable flights for those perfect family holidays. Their estimation of the best day to book your last-minute half-term break for maximum savings is Sunday, February 8.

Chris Bradshaw, director and travel bookings expert at AttractionTickets.com,said: “It’s a common misconception that earlier always equals cheaper. In reality, airlines continuously adjust fares based on demand, and savvy travellers can benefit from those fluctuations, even just one or two weeks ahead. There’s still time to save on last-minute half-term travel if you know when to book.”

He explained how they determined the best time to book. “Our analysis of historical pricing patterns, alongside industry travel reports, shows that Sunday is likely to be the most cost-effective day of the week to book,” he said.

“Airlines typically release discounted fares and adjust inventory over the weekend, and booking on a Sunday has been known to save travellers up to 23 per cent versus Fridays.” On top of this, he pinpointed the best window of time before your holiday to book.

Chris continued: “Industry data also suggests that booking flights within a window of eight to 23 days before departure can offer some of the most competitive prices for international travel, especially when it comes to places like Florida, so this timeline is essential to consider.”

The time of day you book can also make a difference. He said: “Alongside this, we see a consistent trend that early morning is likely to be the best time for snagging low fares. Flights booked around 6am. (your local time) tend to be more affordable, as it’s often when airlines drop fresh fares before the day’s search traffic spikes.”

He added: “Taking all these factors into consideration, Sunday, February 8, falls perfectly in alignment, making this the optimal date to give you the best chance of securing those last-minute affordable family holiday bookings ahead of this half-term.”

A summary of his top tips for booking February half-term travel:

• Estimated best day to book: Sunday, February 8
• Estimated best time to book: Around 6am (your local time)
• Avoid booking on Fridays, when prices typically spike due to business travel and higher demand