Summer holidays aren't cheap, but play it smart and you could save your pennies for gelato and spritzes aplenty once you arrive at your destination. Conde Nast Traveller editors are forever in search of the best ways to travel affordably, from uncovering the cheapest nicest destinations to visit and money-saving dupes to the ultimate free things to do in the summer months.
Skyscanner, a search engine that allows users to compare flight prices for different airlines and destinations, has launched a new “Savings Generator” tool that uses data to reveal the cheapest times to travel, the best times to book and the best-value destinations.
For summer 2024, the travel comparison site has revealed the exact week that travellers should opt to fly in order to save money this year. According to the data, “UK travellers can save 17 per cent by travelling w/c 19 August versus w/c 22 July, meaning an average saving of up to £268 for a family of four”.
The data has also shown that more than 40 per cent of Brits planning a holiday this summer are yet to book flights, and that 30 per cent of those are still actively trying to find the best deal, while 23 per cent are waiting for last-minute deals before they book.
In the UK, the most popular time to travel is within the first two weeks of July – the same period Skyscanner reports as being the most expensive time to travel.
The news comes after the recent UK government budget announcement that, as of August 2024, parents will be fined a minimum of £80 for taking their children out of school to go on holiday. The measure was introduced in order to “deter truancy and improve attendance”. While the new legislation sparked outrage from many – one writer told us how her parents took her out of school for family holidays because they couldn’t have afforded it otherwise – the data could at least go some way to helping families save money by selective about their holiday dates.
Skyscanner has also conducted research into the best time to book popular destinations, allowing savvy travellers to potentially save even more money. For example, travellers hoping to visit Corfu this July should book six weeks in advance for the best prices, while those hoping for a Portuguese escape should book 15 weeks ahead for a trip to Faro.