Travel hacks: The best time to book your flight, accommodation

There’s an art to saving on travel – and whether you’re looking for cheaper flights or accommodation, a lot of it comes down to when you make your booking.

Travel is back with a vengeance and millions of Aussies are already dropping thousands to get away after being starved of holidays through the pandemic.

But there’s an art to booking a trip away and making sure you get the best price.

Expedia’s annual report in partnership with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) has analysed a year’s worth of data on when the best time to book flights and hotels and when’s the best time to get away.

Following the October 1 announcement the international travel ban was finally on the way out, Expedia reported an 80 per cent increase in visits to its Australian site.

The report from Expedia and the ARC also analysed the top hacks to get the best price, which often comes down to knowing what day to book, how far in advance and what day you should leave on your travels.

When should I book my flights?

For domestic flights in economy, prices usually start to increase between 35 and 42 days before departure.

But, the sweet spot to book a domestic flight is around three-and-a-half months in advance.

When it comes to booking your trip, Friday is usually the worst day to find a bargain.

Waiting just two extra days to book and lock in your travel plans on a Sunday can save up to 20 per cent.

Those dates change though, when booking the first day of your holiday.

Ideally, travelling on a Friday or a Saturday domestically can deliver up to 30 per cent in savings, versus starting the same trip on a Monday.

For international flights, start the trip on a Friday, not on a Wednesday, to save just over 15 per cent.

For Aussies hoping to get away next year, there are also a number of months that are more ideal.

Flexibility is always best but domestically, the ideal month to fly is January, where travellers can save an extra 10 per cent on the fares, versus flying in April.

Internationally, October is the ideal month to travel, delivering a massive 20 per cent in savings when compared to the same flights in December – a peak travel time thanks to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

International travel is back from November 1. Picture: Toby Zerna

When should I book my accommodation?

Thanks to the Covid pandemic, tourism providers are working hard to build trust in travel again and attract tourists to their locations, triggering some hefty deals for bargain-hunting Aussies.

According to Expedia, the ideal day to book domestic accommodation is Wednesday, when the lowest average daily rate typically occurs.

Travellers could save up to 5 per cent by booking on Wednesday, instead of Saturday, the most expensive day.

To save internationally, booking on a Sunday instead of a Saturday can save travellers up to 10 per cent.

The best day to start your domestic holiday is Tuesday – when Aussies can save more than 10 per cent on their holiday if they start then and not Saturday.

Internationally, travellers can save 15 per cent if they start their trip on a Monday versus a Wednesday.

And for the especially thrifty traveller, data on Expedia shows you can save up to 40 per cent on average by ditching the five-star hotel for a still very reputable four-star spot.

Shaving one star off your hotel stay can save you up to 40 per cent. Picture: iStock

Flexibility is key

The coronavirus pandemic continues to trigger global uncertainty around domestic and international travel.

This means travellers should always be looking for flexible bookings and airlines and accommodation providers that are happy to refund or reschedule any Covid-affected trips.

Alex Ozdowski, director of Expedia Australia, urged Aussies to re-embrace travel.

“As travellers continue to plan their future trips, we want to help make the process as easy as possible, while helping them save a few extra dollars on the way.

“We know planning a holiday can be stressful at the best of times, though by being flexible and applying these handy hacks, we hope travellers will feel more confident and ready to travel again,” he said.