Are you an international student searching for cheap and affordable flight tickets? Do you want to save the spare change on your next trip back home or your holiday?
It is no longer news that airfares change a lot. These inconsistencies can affect finances if not appropriately targeted. The fact is the price for a particular plane ticket depends on the day of the week, the month of the year, and the time limit between the date of purchase and take off.
Also, we do not expect to spend the same amount on flight tickets on travelling to different international destinations.
Not many students have enough extra cash lying in their pockets, so knowing the best days, month,s and time to fly have become a piece of required knowledge for as long as you are an international student. If you do not do your analysis and survey on good flight days, you may have to pay the price.
We will be looking at the best days to book flights, how far ahead should you book flights and great tools that can help.
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Table of Contents
Best days to Fly
Planning, just most things in life, has been a great way to save time, energy, and resources. You must understand your school calendar to decide when to buy your international plane ticket. That is, find out when your semester begins and ends, and the dates for spring and winter breaks.
Generally, airlines start to discount seats 3 – 4 months before departure, so use that information to determine when to surf the net for cheap tickets. The best days to buy flight tickets for international travel are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Many airlines launch their sales late Monday night, therefore new prices become available, and other flight companies reduce their rates to match the competition.
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Procrastinating is not good when shopping for airfare: airline prices for seats fluctuate for people looking to buy tickets within two weeks of the departure date.
How Far Ahead Should You Book Your International Flight?
Studies show that booking a flight as early as 47 in advance was the best time to have access to the lowest flight rates.
So, if you have less than two or three weeks before you travel, do not delay, book your flight as early as possible.
When Should I Buy My International Ticket?
Referring to the analysis provided by CheapAir.com, some days are best for buying international plane tickets to get the lowest prices, and each region has its unique “prime booking window.”
What is the prime booking window? Prime window is the range of days in which you most likely will get the lowest fares. Therefore, it is best to consider purchasing your flights within this range.
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Although, this range is a generalization, as social events like international sports or festivals can be of significant influence.
So, in that light, let us look at the cost of travel to some regions.
Best Time to Buy a Ticket to Mexico or Canada
On average, the best time to buy your international ticket to Mexico or Canada is 75 days from the departure date. Mexican citizens usually travel during their country’s national holidays, which include their January 1 New Year’s Day, and their September 16 Independence Day.
Prices can shoot up considerably during these periods. Therefore, to get the best deals, travel when schools are in session, avoid festive seasons such as Easter and Christmas.
Best Time to Buy a Ticket to Africa or The Middle East
You can snatch the best deals on flights to Africa and the Middle East about 215 days before they take-off.
Best Time to Buy a Ticket to Australia or the South Pacific
The best time to fly to Australia or the South Pacific is during the winter, between mid-may and late June. Fares are most affordable about 320 days from the day of take-off.
Best Time to Buy a Ticket to Europe
To snatch great flight deals to Europe, book as far as 120 days ahead. European travel costs are higher during the summer. During winter, it is much cheaper to fly to European countries when fewer people are going.
Tips to Guide You
Be Flexible
Consider opting for flights that other people avoid. Take overnight trips or opt for 6 a.m. departures. You will save a lot with these options
Avoid 11th-hour Bookings
If you wait until the last minutes before booking your trip, you will be paying a premium price. That is not what you want. Depending on how much time you have on your schedule, always try to book as far ahead as possible.
Explore Many Options
If there are multiple airports within an hour or two hours’ drive from you, do not hesitate to explore your options to compare fares. The fact is that significant airlines have varieties of options and offer competitive prices, so doing a survey can help you determine which option to choose.
Avoid Holidays
We have mentioned this earlier. Fares are usually at their peak during holidays, especially during festive seasons. Therefore, it is best to wait until it passes.
Great Tools That Help
Some useful tools can help you track flight prices depending on where you are. These tools will alert you as soon as great deals are available.
AirFare Watch Dog
AirfareWatchDog gives you tips on how you can get low price flights at your chosen destination. It also tells you which carriers charge baggage fees.
Kayak’s Hacker Tool
This one helps you locate direct flights for your international travel. Trips that are cheaper as opposed to opting for connecting flights.
Trip Advisor
TripAdvisor helps you find the best flights with the lowest price, by checking nearby airports.
Conclusion
We have successfully highlighted a few tips on the best days to buy flight tickets for international travel. So, if you are an international student reading this, worry no more.
These tips will guide you on what to do. Remember, book as early as possible, and don’t forget that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to snatch reasonable prices.
How to Save Money on International Flight Travel?
