Travel Tricks: Insider's guide to when you should book flights

Airfares have been rising over the past year, making holidays extra expensive. But this easy, expert tip promises to shave a massive chunk off the cost.

There are a lot of factors that can make the difference between a bargain holiday and a very exy one.

A full-service airline versus a budget carrier. Peak travel season versus off-season months.

And sometimes, it can come down to the specific day of the week you make your booking, according to Expedia Group.

It’s worth paying attention to: with airfares generally on the rise, this could make a big difference to the overall cost of your trip.

New data from the company reveals you can save up to 45 per cent on airfares simply by shifting the day you book and the day you depart.

Expedia Group came up with the data by analysing airline routes and ticket prices in a joint research project with the Airline Reporting Corporation.

THE DAY OF THE WEEK MATTERS

It found the best day to book your fare — as in, the day you should take the plunge and buy those tickets — is a Sunday. That’s when you’ll see the lowest prices.

The worst day is a Friday, with airfares offered that day typically higher.

Separately, the best day to start your travel — that is, the day you head to the airport and fly out — is a Friday, if you want to save some bucks.

You’ll probably cop higher fares if your first day of travel is a Sunday.

It may not be the case every time, but according to Expedia’s analysis, statistically, you’re in with a shot.

Best price from Sydney to New York City flying return on Friday, September 13. Picture: Expedia

Same details but for travel two days later, on Sunday, September 15. Picture: Expedia

OTHER TIPS

Those aren’t the only strategies that could save you money, according to Expedia.

It also found three weeks out from travel was the sweet spot when booking flights.

Hotels should be booked on a Friday night to score the best deals.

And if you add a Saturday night to your midweek trip, you could save up to 25 per cent on airfares — and sometimes more, if your destination is also popular with business travellers.

The data is part of Expedia’s 2019 Travel Pricing Outlook that outlines simple tweaks to the booking process that could save Aussies money.

“The 2019 Airfares Reporting Corporation results show that simple changes can add up to significant savings for Aussie travellers,” said Demi Kavaratzis, director of tours and transport at Expedia Australia.

“Globally, in 2018 we saw flight prices increase on average by 5 per cent compared to 2017. If this trend continues, now is the best time to lock in your 2019 travel.”