The cheapest day to fly isn’t what you think, plus clever holiday hacks to save even more

Just when you thought Thursday was the cheapest day to travel, it turns out it’s now Friday, perfect timing for a long weekend escape.

According to the 2026 Air Hacks Report from Expedia, travellers can save up to 18% by flying on a Friday instead of a Saturday. The shift is largely down to reduced business travel at the end of the working week.

And that’s not the only surprise.

June is cheaper than winter

You might assume winter offers the lowest fares. But the research shows June is the most affordable month to travel, with flights averaging 68% cheaper than in December, a potential saving of around £250 per ticket.

Other key findings from the 2026 report

Best days to book and fly

• Sunday is the cheapest day to book flights
• Friday is the cheapest day to fly
• Tuesday is the least busy day to travel
• Friday is the busiest day to fly

Quietest and busiest times

• January is the least busy month for air travel
• August is the busiest month
• Least busy dates: 4, 5 and 9 March, and 31 December
• Busiest dates: 24, 25 October, 24 May and 22 August

Best booking windows

• UK domestic economy flights: Book 31-45 days before departure to save an average of £38 compared to booking six months ahead.
• International flights:
• Book 15-30 days ahead to save around £93.
• Booking 31-45 days out can still save around £85 compared to booking six months in advance.

Cheapest UK airports to fly from

Most affordable:

• Belfast
• Liverpool
• Bournemouth

Most expensive:

• London Heathrow
• Humberside
• Manchester

Destinations getting cheaper

Several routes are seeing significant year-on-year price drops, up to 67%, including:

• Gdansk, Poland
• Cork, Ireland
• Bordeaux, France

2026 could be a standout year to visit.

Extra smart ways to cut holiday costs

Beyond the report, here are simple, effective ways to save even more:

Set price alerts

Use tools like Kayak, Skyscanner and Google Flights.

Set your route and dates, track prices, and book when fares drop.

Compare package vs DIY

Sometimes booking flights and hotels separately is cheaper. Other times, a package wins. Always compare and factor in transfers, baggage and meals.

Buy a resold holiday

Sites like Transfer Travel allow people to sell holidays they can’t use, often at heavy discounts.

Consider all-inclusive

All-inclusive holidays often have a higher upfront cost, but can save money overall, especially for families, by covering meals, drinks, transfers and entertainment.

Try alternative accommodation

• self-catering rentals are especially great for families
• hostels can be ideal for solo travellers
• camping or glamping are budget-friendly and fun

Book direct with hotels

Call or email the hotel directly. Even if the price matches booking sites, you might secure perks like upgrades or free breakfast.

Go off the beaten path

Swap major tourist hotspots for smaller towns or lesser-known destinations, as they’re often cheaper and less crowded.

Always pay in local currency

When paying abroad, choose the local currency instead of pounds to avoid poor exchange rates.

Travel light

Avoid checked baggage fees by packing cabin-only where possible.

Be flexible

Shifting your trip by even one day, or flying from a different airport, can unlock major savings.

With a bit of flexibility and smarter booking, 2026 could be one of the cheapest years yet to plan your getaway.

If going abroad isn’t feasible and you’re planning a staycation, check out our tips on how to save money while holidaying at home.