Let’s be honest—we've all stared at flight prices online, refreshing the page like it’s going to magically drop to £20 round trip if we just believe hard enough. And in the process, one big question always pops up: weekend vs weekday flights—which one’s really cheaper?
You’ve probably heard people swear by flying out on a Tuesday at 3 a.m., or insist that weekends are always more expensive. But is that actually true? Or just one of those travel myths, like "roll your clothes to fit more in your suitcase" (which, by the way, kinda works)?
So let's find out what the truths and myths are regarding weekend vs weekday flights, in order for you to know the right time to book that escape—a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or an impulsive solo trip with wine by the sea to clear your head.
So, let’s start with the big one: weekend vs weekday flights—is there always a price difference?
In general? Yeah. Weekends (especially Friday to Sunday) tend to be more expensive. It’s basic supply and demand. Everyone’s trying to flee the office and head somewhere sunny or exciting the moment the clock hits 5 p.m. on Friday. Airlines know this. So what do they do? Yep—they crank up the prices.
But here’s the thing: it’s not a hard rule. There are exceptions. And prices depend on the route, the time of year, school holidays, even sudden travel trends (hello, Taylor Swift tour ticket chasers). So while weekend vs weekday flights usually favor the weekdays, don’t count out a random Saturday morning steal.
Weekday travel usually means Monday through Thursday. These days Tuesday and Wednesday are referred to in the travel business as "cheaper travel days”—why is this? Fewer travelers. Business folks fly on Monday and Friday. The holiday-makers like to fly on the weekend. So that leaves Tuesday and Wednesday as that sweet spot where demand is lower, and so too are prices.
If you can afford flexibility in your schedule and are not bound by school terms and strict office hours, weekend vs weekday flights could save you a lot of bucks- on not just fares but also accommodation. Hotels tend to drop their rates mid-week since they know occupancy will drop once the weekend crowd clears out.
The “Best Day to Book Flights” Myth
Now, let’s talk booking days—not just flying days. There’s a ton of debate around the best day to book flights. You might’ve heard “Book on a Tuesday at 1 p.m.” or “Sunday is flight deal day.” Truth is, there’s no magical hour when flights go on sale across the board. Sorry.
But, patterns do exist. Data shows that early in the week-from Monday through Wednesday-flights are generally priced slightly more advantageous. Whatever be the day, timing is of utmost importance. Book early-2-3 weeks or 2-3 months in advance- usually works much better than being superstitious about the day of the week.
Nevertheless, it is really worthwhile keeping the weekend vs weekday flights parameter in mind while booking and flying, as that alone can double the amount you save.
Weekend vs Weekday Flights: (Because Who Doesn’t Love One?)
A few years ago, a traveller in search of a spontaneous escape to Lisbon was just about to book a weekend getaway from Friday to Monday, until, after checking the price, something caught their attention. Flying out on a Thursday and returning on Tuesday was nearly half the price! That tweak alone saved them about £180.
With that extra cash in hand, they could fancy a sunset cruise along the Tagus River and indulge in hot, guilt-free pastel de nata every single morning.
Takeaway? Weekend flights vs weekday flights: that makes the difference between a boring regular trip and a cool trip.
While weekend vs weekday flights are a big factor, it's not the only one. Here are a few more things that can mess with flight prices:
Holidays and School Breaks – Trying to fly out during Christmas, Easter, or summer half-term? Good luck finding a bargain, if it is a weekend vs weekday flights.
Time of Day- Early morning and late-night flights are cheaper than midday flights.
Demand for Flights- The moment a route becomes hot (say Rome in summer or say Iceland during winter) the price moves regardless of the day.
Low-cost carriers vs Big carriers- Some low-cost airlines offer great deals surprisingly well on weekends so as to fill the planes. Disregard them!
Travel on weekdays vs weekends can potentially save you a buck or two, but it makes sense to take a step back and look at the big picture.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need a PhD in airfare dynamics, do worry. Here are some quick tips which really work:
Flexible Date Searches- Most booking sites offer searches where one can look for the cheapest day to fly. Go ahead and use it.
Price Alerts- Applications like Hopper or Skyscanner will inform you when prices decrease.
Flexibility- Instead of having fixed dates, create a timeframe (i.e., ''sometime in September'').
Early Booking- For domestic flights, up to 1 to 3 months before, while international flights between 2 to 6 months prior to travel.
Avoid Peak Travel Times - Those are Friday evenings or Sundays, plus every time school is out.
And always compare weekend vs weekday flights before you click on those tickets.
Particularly while everyone is all about saving cash, cheaper travel days solutions are sometimes not best solutions at all. It's possible that the only times when you and your spouse can take time off from work is on a weekend-or that there's a wedding you cannot afford to miss this Saturday.
It's fine! Travel should be conjoined with our lives, not the other way around. Utilize the weekend vs weekday flights hack when it works-but don't make that your entire trip- because at times paying slightly more to fly when it's convenient means enjoying your vacation free-minded but also trouble-free-hearted.
The final takeaway: weekend vs weekday flights really do help determine what you spend on a holiday; flexible enough to fly midweek, and it is likely that cheaper flights, quieter airports, and even less costly stays can be found.
But there is no hard and fast rule. Keep it open and do a bit of research; trust your instinct. Sometimes, it's just not about price, it's about how a trip makes one feel.
Oh, and if you're ready to start planning, Onthebeach is always chock-full of those midweek gems and late deals perfect for the budget break. Just don't forget to check both weekend vs weekday flights before you book-you might surprise yourself with the savings.
