Travelers could be missing out on savings if they don’t take advantage of the cheapest time to travel this summer, according to new research by Skyscanner.
According to price comparison sitealmost three-quarters of Britons are planning to travel, but just 10 per cent of searches are looking for the cheapest week of school summer holidays – despite an in-depth survey showing those who have booked tickets think they’ve found a bargain.
With 31% of those planning a vacation unbooked, Skyscanner shared its findings, based on 80 billion rates searched on its system each day.
The first two weeks of school holidays are by far the most popular weeks to go away this summer, although it’s the most expensive time to travel. Skyscanner data shows that, on average, travelers can save 16% when traveling in the last week of a holiday compared to the first week, meaning an average saving of up to £220 for a family four people.
Meanwhile, for those who are flexible, choosing to travel on less popular days of the week can save around 15%, with Sundays often being the cheapest days – meaning spending less money and making the most of it. enjoy a quieter airport.
Skyscanner says it “really pays to do your research” on the cheapest days and weeks, particularly as 84% of those surveyed would be willing to change their dates for a bargain. By comparison, research shows that flying to Spain on a Tuesday instead of a Friday saves a family of four an average of £372 on their return trip this July and August.
Another method to reduce the cost of your stay is to adjust your departure airport. Northerners who cross the border to Scotland can save a considerable amount; for example, return flights to Alicante from Edinburgh (August 22-29) cost an average of £170 per person, while from Newcastle the fare is £218.
In the south, you can spend less by transferring London airport. Skyscanner reports that travelers can save £226 on a trip to Spain for a family of four on return flights to Malaga between 15 and 22 August by traveling from London Gatwick (£219 per person) instead of London Southend (£276 per person).
Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s destination and travel trends expert, said: “Our research shows that more than a third of Brits cut back elsewhere, including less eating out, less food. take away and more coffee, to save for their summer vacation, but are less likely to shop around for the holidays the way they do when shopping for weekly or clothing.
Ms Linsdsay added that “we encourage all travelers to document our knowledgeable tips”.
The study coincided with the launch of “SaveThe tool, which the company says, “helps travelers save big this summer”.
