Looking for the most affordable way to get from A to B? You’ve probably heard advice like book on a Tuesday or buy early in the morning. But what really makes the difference when it comes to securing a great airfare?
In this blog
When is the best day to book a flight?
You may have heard that Tuesday or Wednesday is the best day to book a flight. While data suggests airlines availability is better early in the week, prices change throughout the day as seats sell and demand fluctuates. For flights leaving from South Africa, Tuesdays and Wednesdays can sometimes show better deals for international routes due to this but it's not guaranteed, so don’t hedge your bets on suddenly getting a heavily reduced fare based on the day of the week.
Tip: Rather than focusing only on the booking day, compare prices across several days and speak to a Flight Centre expert who can quickly check multiple fares for your preferred route and dates.
But there is some truth to the idea that there are better times of year to book. Or rather, how far in advance you should book your flight. As anyone who’s looked at peak time flights will know, you don’t want to leave bookings to the last minute for big holidays, especially if you’re travelling over December or Easter.
So, here are some rules of thumb:
For international flights from South Africa, booking about 4 - 6 months ahead generally gives you a good mix of availability and competitive pricing. For the best options, you can book as far as 9 months in advance.
For domestic flights, 1 to 2 months ahead can work well but peak periods like school holidays and long weekends fill fast so you’ll want to snag those further in advance. For regional destinations like Mauritius or Zanzibar, 2 to 5 months ahead can be enough outside of peak times.
Explore the Flight Centre flights page or check multi-stop flights with a travel expert instore if you’re combining itineraries. We can do it all for you!
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Expert tip
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Are last-minute flights ever cheaper?
Sometimes, yes! But it depends heavily on the route and season. For popular routes and during school holidays, last-minute flights tend to be more expensive as seats fill up. For less busy routes or off-peak travel, airlines might discount seats close to departure.
It’s a gamble, but one you might not mind taking if you’re flexible about dates or destinations. If you have your heart set on a particular destination over a particular period, waiting till the last minute might leave you disappointed as prices soar.
What is the best day of week to fly?
Aside from when to book the flight, are there cheaper days of the week to actually depart? As it turns out, there are! Flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday is often cheaper than flying on Fridays and Sundays, which are popular departure days for leisure and business travellers looking to get the most time out of their weekends! For domestic flights in South Africa, midweek departures typically show better value.
Does booking a round-trip ticket save more than booking one-ways?
In most cases, yes. Round-trip fares are generally priced more competitively than two separate one-way tickets, especially for international travel.
But there are exceptions and Flight Centre experts can help compare all your options, including round-the-world tickets or multi-stop routes.
Travel tips for smart booking
If you’re looking to get cheap flights, here are a few tips that might just help you snap up a bargain:
- Be flexible: shifting your departure or return by a day or two can make a big difference
- Compare airports: flying from or to an alternative airport can reduce fares
- Book early for peak dates: Christmas, Easter, June or July holidays fill fast
- Ask about packages or special deals: combining flights with hotels or tours can offer extra value
- Look out for our monthly airfare sales generally from the 20th of the month.
Ready to Book?
No matter when you plan to travel, Flight Centre can help you find the best flight deal from last-minute departures to advance bookings. Just chat to a Flight Centre travel expert today and let us help you lock in the right fare at the right time for your next trip.
