The cheapest days to fly are not a myth — they’re a proven pattern backed by airline pricing data. If you want to pay less for every flight, understanding which days offer the lowest fares is one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge a traveller can have. This guide reveals exactly when to fly and when to book for the best airfare savings.
Which Are the Cheapest Days to Fly?
Across domestic, European, and international routes, Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly. Demand is lowest mid-week, particularly on routes dominated by business travellers (who fly Monday and Friday) and leisure travellers (who fly Friday through Sunday).
Saturday can also be a cheap day to fly internationally, since business travellers avoid weekend departures — reducing demand and pushing prices down. Google Flights lets you view the full month’s price calendar to instantly spot the cheapest days for any route.
Most Expensive Days to Fly
Friday is typically the most expensive day to fly for short-haul routes — everyone wants to leave for the weekend. Sunday evenings are peak-priced for return flights. Monday mornings are expensive on business routes. Avoiding these days can save 20–40% on a single ticket.
Cheapest Days to Book Flights
When you book matters as much as when you fly. Tuesday and Wednesday are also traditionally the cheapest days to book, as airlines often release fare sales on Monday evenings that competitors match by Tuesday morning. Skyscanner’s price trend data confirms mid-week booking delivers lower average fares across most routes.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
For the cheapest days to fly in Europe, book 6–8 weeks ahead. For long-haul flights, 3–6 months before departure is the sweet spot. Last-minute flights are rarely cheap unless you’re booking a distressed inventory sale — these can be spotted on Secret Flying or via airline app notifications.
Seasonal Patterns: Cheapest Times of Year to Fly
Beyond individual days, the time of year dramatically affects airfare. The cheapest months to fly transatlantic are January, February, and early March (excluding school half-terms). The cheapest time to fly domestically in the UK is September–October and January–February. Avoiding school holidays, bank holidays, and major events is essential for cheap flying.
Cheapest Days to Fly by Route Type
The cheapest days to fly vary slightly by route type. For short-haul/budget airline routes, Tuesday and Wednesday are cheapest. For business routes (London–Edinburgh, London–Manchester), Saturday is cheapest. For long-haul international routes, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday offer the best fares. Always check the price calendar for your specific route rather than relying on generalisations.
Search Flights on the Cheapest Days
Ready to put this into practice? Search for flights on Tuesday or Wednesday and compare across a full month of dates using the tool below:
Final Thoughts
The cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday — avoid Friday, Sunday evening, and Monday morning wherever possible. Combine day-of-week flexibility with advance booking, price alerts, and off-peak seasonal timing and you’ll consistently pay less than the average traveller. Also see our full guide to how to find cheap flights and our flight search engine comparison.
