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What days of the week are cheapest to fly UK?

A well-worn travel legend says that Tuesday is the best (and cheapest) day to book your flight. However, here in the UK at least, it would seem that the myth is exactly that – just a myth. Holiday booking site Opodo says that Sunday is the cheapest day for buying a plane ticket.



In 2026, the cheapest days to fly to or from the UK consistently remain Tuesday and Wednesday. These mid-week days see the lowest demand from both business travelers (who favor Mondays and Fridays) and "city break" tourists (who favor long weekends). According to recent flight data, flying on a Tuesday can save you an average of 15–25% compared to a Sunday departure. Additionally, Saturday afternoons and evenings can occasionally offer "flash" deals, as most travelers prefer to arrive at their destination by Saturday morning. Conversely, Friday and Sunday are the most expensive days due to the high volume of weekend commuters. If you are flying into major hubs like Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW), time of day also matters; mid-day flights (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM) often carry a lower price tag than the early morning "business bank" of flights. To maximize savings, travelers should use "flexible date" search tools to compare the stark price differences between a Wednesday departure and the surrounding weekend dates.

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Tuesday is by far the cheapest day to make the trip to London, so save on your flights while making a week of it and enjoy the lull before the storm that is England's capital on a Friday night.

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Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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Time your booking right “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.” If you're traveling during an off-peak season, you're going to want to look at airfares one to three months in advance for domestic flights, and two to eight months ahead of the flight for international trips.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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Key Takeaways
  • The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).
  • It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.


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Generally, the off-season months for traveling to the UK are January, February and November. These months offer cheaper flight prices due to decreased demand and more availability of seats on planes. So if you're looking for a great deal on your plane tickets, try booking during these months!

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According to a study conducted by Expedia, data shows that you want to book at least six months in advance for international travel. The study found you'll save an average of 10% by booking six months in advance instead of two months or less.

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Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday.

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Airfares flex like crazy, but in general it's wise to start looking for international flights at least four to six months before your trip, especially for travel in spring, summer, or fall.

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The Cheapest Airports to Fly Into in Europe
  • Dublin Airport (DUB), Ireland.
  • Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), Italy.
  • Barcelona El-Prat Airport (BCN), Spain.
  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the Netherlands.
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France.


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Cheapest Places to Fly to in Europe in 2023: European Cities with Cheap Flight Deals
  • Reykjavik, Iceland. For most people in the US, this is the cheapest European city to fly to. ...
  • Ponta Delgada, Portugal. ...
  • Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ...
  • London, UK. ...
  • Dublin, Ireland. ...
  • Barcelona, Spain. ...
  • Stockholm, Sweden. ...
  • Munich, Germany.


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How often do airlines update airfare information online? The airlines update fare information 3 times a day. They do not necessarily change airfare prices all three times, but they certainly can, and often do.

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