Booking international flights can feel confusing — prices change every day, airlines run surprise promotions, and sometimes the same ticket costs double just a few days later.
The good news is, you can find cheaper flights consistently if you know when to book.

In this 2025 guide, we break down the best times, days, and months to book your flight so you can save money and stress less.

Why Flight Prices Change So Much

Airlines adjust prices based on:

• Seat availability

• Demand

• Season

• Time left before departure

• Competitors’ prices

This is why checking one airline at a time is not enough — which is why we use Aviasales, a powerful search engine that compares hundreds of airlines instantly to find the best deal.

When Is the Best Time to Book International Flights?

1. The “Golden Window”: 2–3 Months Before Travel

For most international destinations, the cheapest period to book is:

60–90 days before your trip

Too early → prices are still high
Too late → prices go up sharply

2. For Peak Seasons: Book 4–6 Months Early

If you are travelling during:

• School holidays

• Christmas/New Year

• Easter

• Summer in Europe (June–August)

You must book earlier — 120–180 days before departure.

These are the busiest, most expensive periods, and seats fill up fast.

3. For Last-Minute Deals: Only Works in Low Season

Occasionally, airlines release unsold seats cheaply 2–4 weeks before departure, but this only works when:

• Travel demand is low

• Destination is not popular

• You have flexible dates

For popular routes (Dubai, London, Europe, USA), last-minute deals are rare.

Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly

Based on global flight data:

Cheapest days to fly:

• Tuesday

• Wednesday

• Saturday

Most expensive days:

• Friday

• Sunday

People travel around weekends, so airlines raise their prices.

What Time of Day Should You Book?

It’s not about the time you buy — it’s about the time you fly.

Cheapest flights are early morning or late-night:

• 5 AM – 7 AM

• 9 PM – 12 AM

Avoid:

• 8–10 AM

• 3–7 PM
  These are peak business travel hours.

Use Aviasales Smart Tools to Save More

Aviasales offers tools that help you instantly find the cheapest option:

✔ Flexible Dates — see prices for the entire month

✔ Price Alerts — get notified when the price drops

✔ Cheapest Month Tool — find the lowest fares of the year

✔ Route Map — see where you can fly for the lowest cost

These features make planning much easier and save you money on every trip.

Best Months to Travel in 2025 (Cheapest Seasons)

January – March

After the festive rush, prices drop sharply.

May – June

Shoulder season before European summer.

September – November

The quietest time to travel internationally, with the best prices.

Most Expensive Months

• December

• July

• August

Tips to Save Even More on International Flights

Here are simple ways to cut your costs:

✔ Book midweek

✔ Use incognito mode to avoid cookies

✔ Be flexible by 1–2 days

✔ Avoid public holidays

✔ Travel with hand luggage when possible

✔ Use Aviasales to compare all airlines quickly

These small changes can save R1,500–R5,000 per ticket.

Ready to book?

You can find the cheapest international flights right now using our flight search tool powered by Aviasales.

Go to: Flight Booking on BookingAndTravelling.co.za
Compare prices → choose your flight → book securely.