When and how to book the cheapest holidays in 2025

Whether you want to travel in luxury or on a budget, experts reveal the best ways to save big money on your holidays this year.

Want to bag the ultimate holiday bargain?

From the cheapest times of the day to fly, to how far in advance you need to book that tour, travel experts have revealed their top tips for saving money on your vacation in 2025.

Flight Centre Global Leisure CEO James Kavanagh said the best general rule was to lock in your plans as early as possible.

“Booking 9-12 months in advance is ideal for flights, accommodation, cruises, tours, and car rentals as this is when offers are first released, there’s more availability and demand tends to be lower,” he said.

That means now is the time to be booking for September school holidays and Christmas vacations.

But if you really want to save money, avoiding these peak times is the ultimate key, said Mr Kavanagh.

“If you’re looking for the cheapest time to travel, consider booking outside of peak season where you’ll not only avoid higher prices but also the crowds that come with school holidays,” he said.

“Flights are usually cheaper during the shoulder season, particularly to beach destinations like the Greek Islands, Hawaii and Bali. The same applies to North America and Europe, where airfare prices tend to drop either side of June to September.”

Flights to Bali are cheaper during the shoulder season.

If school holidays or peak periods are the only times you can take off, however, Mr Kavanagh said you could still save money by timing your flights right.

“Early morning and late-night flights are generally the least expensive, and flying on weekdays is usually cheaper than on weekends, when demand is higher,” he said.

Another way to save big was to season swap, said Expedia Group’s Sarah King.

That means travelling to places like Byron Bay or Tasmania in Winter instead of summer, which can earn you discounts of up to 30 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively, on accommodation.

But if you really want to save on accommodation, Ms King said it was important to understand the star ratings of hotels and use them to your advantage.

“It’s a common misconception that a property with less stars means lower quality, but that’s not always the case,” she said.

“It can sometimes mean there are different levels of amenities and benefits available, for example, a 3-star property may offer a pool and gym, but a 4 star could also include fitness classes and a spa.

If considering a trip to Tasmania, try it in winter to save money. Supplied: Tourism Tasmania

“Simply opting for a 4-star property over a 5-star could help you stay within budget, while still providing some excellent facilities and amenities.”

She said “down-starring” may also mean you could upgrade to a better room type resulting in better value for money.

Her other hot tip was to book accommodation and airfares together, which could save up to $340, and to use price tracking features such as those in the Expedia app, which notifies travellers when flight prices change.

But the price of the airfare and hotel aren’t the only things to consider when trying to save money. Mr Kavanagh insisted it was important to also look at the exchange rate in your destination of choice, which would affect the cost of food, transportation and activities during the trip, especially with the Australian dollar so low right now.

“Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are always popular budget-friendly destinations where a meal can cost you the equivalent of only a few Australian dollars,” he said.

His tips for the best value right now with the exchange rate were Japan, Brazil and Turkey.

Saving money on holidays is about planning ahead.

FLIGHT CENTRE’S TOP TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON TRAVEL

1. Save on Seat Selection: While some airlines offer free seat selection online, others charge for it. If you’re happy to sit anywhere, opt to select your seat when you check in at the airport, as this is always free of charge.

2. Holiday Travel: Flying on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day is one of the best money-saving hacks. With fewer people wanting to travel on this day, it’s often one of the most affordable times to travel.

3. Book Through a Travel Agent: There’s a common misconception that travel agents are more expensive, but they often help you save more thanks to their insider knowledge and access to exclusive industry deals.

4. Combine classes of travel: If you’re aiming to travel in style but without the hefty price, consider booking different cabin classes for each leg of your journey. Many airlines allow you to fly economy to your destination and business class on the return flight (or vice versa), which can be a much more affordable way to enjoy a premium experience. Sometimes after you book, airlines will offer the opportunity to upgrade your seat. As a general rule, if the cost is $100 per hour or less, it’s a great deal and worth considering.

5. Combine business with leisure: If you’ve got an upcoming work trip consider extending it and adding on some personal time. Depending on your company’s policy they may agree that you only incur the additional personal costs, meaning your flights are already covered.