Everyone has that friend who somehow manages to book cheap flights out of nowhere.
“I just casually booked $99 flights to Thailand, including luggage!” she says, while you casually bang your head against a wall after cursing yourself for paying an ungodly amount for domestic airfares.
It might be hard to believe, but cheap flights aren’t an urban myth. They do exist… but finding one is easier said than done.
Nabbing one of these budget friendly airfares is a complex endeavour – they never appear when you’re actively looking. And timing is everything, which can really suck the excitement out of booking a spontaneous getaway.
Luckily for us, Skyscanner has created a guide to the best times to book travel *insert praise emoji*
With this online tool, you can see the stats on price, percentage savings and how long to book in advance for travelling to and from your favourite domestic destinations. All in the one place.
Whether it’s a skiing trip to Tokyo, or your weekly domestic commute, this travel planner lays out the optimum way to save you money.
Here’s just some of the cool stuff they’ve figured out for us time-poor, wanderlust-stricken travel addicts:
Listen: This couple retired in their 30s and went travelling. This is their story. (Post continues after audio.)
The best time to travel
May and November.
Book your annual leave during these months, and you’re likely to save at least 10 per cent on your airfares.
The worst time to travel
You guessed it, December. The demand to get to our loved ones during the holiday period means prices can be inflated by up to 26 per cent.
Best to book end of year trips as far in advance as possible, or prepare to feel the financial buuuurn.