Travel expert reveals the best time to book winter flights for a cheap Christmas getaway

Scottish Sun

12 hours ago

Plus tricks to make sure you're getting the best deal
BUDGET BREAK Travel expert reveals the best time to book winter flights for a cheap Christmas getaway
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THINKING about jetting off on a Christmas getaway before the summer holidays have even arrived might seem bonkers.
But experts have revealed that booking up for the cold, winter months while the sun is still shining is a great way to save some cash.
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Experts have told how you should be looking for a winter getaway during the summer
Credit: PA
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And there is one month where you can grab a good deal on a Christmas holiday
Credit: Alamy
So, if you're already eyeing up a December destination, then you might want to take note.
Travel pros have found that the festive flight market follows predictable patterns that most passengers are unaware of.
Prices for a Christmas getaway immediately start to climb from September onwards, and can reach eye-watering peaks by November.
This is because most people start panic-booking and leave it to the last minute to organise a trip.
So if you want to save money and find a cheap deal, experts have said the best time to book up for a festive trip is JUNE.
Fred Harrington, a personal finance expert at SaveMyCent, revealed that this month is the "perfect window" to sort a winter holiday if you want to save some serious cash.
We get so caught up in the immediate season that we miss incredible opportunities sitting right under our noses
Fred Harrington
He said: "Most people think booking Christmas flights in June is mad, but the data tells a completely different story.
'There's something fascinating about vacation booking psychology that works against most travellers.
"We get so caught up in the immediate season that we miss incredible opportunities sitting right under our noses.
"People are booking their August beach vacations right now, but completely ignoring December flights that are literally at their cheapest point of the year.
Cheapest family holiday destinations for summer 2025 revealed
"I've seen families stress about Christmas flight costs every single year, then kick themselves when they realise they could have saved hundreds by thinking ahead.
"The airlines count on this predictable behaviour - they know most people will panic-book in autumn and pay whatever prices they set.
'What's brilliant about the June booking window is that it requires zero sacrifice.
"You're not gambling on last-minute deals or settling for inconvenient times.
"You're simply working with airline pricing cycles instead of against them.
"Right now, we're in that perfect window where Christmas feels far enough away that most people aren't thinking about it, but close enough that airlines have released their full December inventory.
'By July, summer vacation demand will peak, and airlines start adjusting their algorithms for autumn booking patterns.
'That's when Christmas fares begin their steady climb upward."
Fred also told how timing is everything when it comes to getting a good deal - and the days of the week you book up can actually have a massive impact on the price.
To keep costs down, he advises booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and try to fly out on these same days, plus Saturdays.
He explained: 'Airlines release their cheapest fare batches midweek.
'Weekend bookings often trigger higher pricing tiers because the algorithms assume you're leisure travellers with flexible budgets.
Why do Christmas flight prices go crazy?
DECEMBER flights don't just get expensive - they get absolutely bonkers.
Fred explains that the madness typically starts in September when early bookers begin their search.
By October, demand ramps up properly. Come November, you're looking at premium prices across the board as last-minute bookers scramble for remaining seats.
He says: "Airlines know families will pay whatever it takes to get home for the holidays, so prices can jump substantially compared to off-peak times".
Airlines use sophisticated pricing algorithms that constantly adjust fares based on search patterns, booking trends, and competitor pricing.
And what many people don't realise is that these systems are designed to capitalise on predictable booking behaviours.
Fred explains: 'The algorithms are incredibly smart, but they also follow patterns.
'June represents a dead zone for Christmas flight searches. Airlines haven't ramped up their festive pricing yet because demand signals are still quiet.'
"Flying midweek also avoids the premium pricing that kicks in for Friday and Sunday departures when business travellers and weekend warriors push up demand."
However, it's not just about timing - searching is also key for nabbing a cheap winter holiday.
Fred says his "Flight Search Stacking' method is his "secret weapon" and has urged everyone to try it before they book up.
The stacking method involves comparing not just prices, but date flexibility and layover options across platforms - and it can save you hundreds of pounds.
Which means you can often uncover 'ghost fares' - which are lower-tier deals that only appear on certain sites or through alternative routing options.
Fred said: "The Flight Search Stacking technique takes maybe an extra 10 minutes but can easily save you hundreds.
"Run parallel searches across multiple platforms - Google Flights, Skyscanner, airline websites - but always in incognito or private browsing mode.
'Airlines track your searches and can actually bump up prices if they think you're desperate for a particular route.'