Tuesday Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

Posted on by Emily in Saving Money & Finances, Vacations

Tuesday Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets – As someone who travels a lot, I can attest to the fact that knowing the best time to buy airline tickets (apparently Tuesday) is incredibly helpful. In fact, learning how to travel on a dime in general is a skill that we should all attempt to take on. More often than not, the high price of traveling prevents many of us from seeing the world. And it shouldn’t. I thought it might be good to go over some budgeted travel pointers to help people get to where they want to go, have a great time, and not wipe out their savings account.

Tuesday Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

I’ve traveled to many countries around the world on a relatively limited budget. I try to do my best to travel cheaply and see as much as possible. In my 10+ years of international traveling, I’ve discovered the following tricks that have saved me some serious cash.

Timing is everything. Tuesday is the magic day for travel– it’s been proven! If you’re looking to buy a cheaper ticket, make sure you do around 8 weeks in advance (it’s been noted that 8 weeks is the perfect price time) and on a Tuesday when airlines drop their prices. Says Scott McCartney of the Wall Street Journal:

“Though prices fluctuate frequently and the ups and downs of airline prices can frustrate and anger consumers, airline pricing actually does follow a cycle during the week. Many sales, in which some seats are discounted by 15% to 25% typically, are launched Monday night….”

Also, Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to travel– less frequented by commuters.

Look in the right places. Do you have a good site to check for cheap flights? I know they might all seem the same, but they’re not. I’ve found in my experience that Kayak.com is excellent because it compares multiple travel site prices all at once. I’ve also had incredible luck lately with Cheapoair.com. I recently bought a ticket to Argentina (from NYC) on the site for $850 roundtrip with tax. Most other sites were $1000+.

Travel offseason. 

It might not be ideal, but traveling in bleak winter months can mean a massive discount in ticket price. Certainly to Europe; January, February and March are cheaper dates to fly. I know that traveling to Australia and South America in their winter (our summer) can also make a difference in ticket prices.

Don’t underestimate the package deal. 

There are some great deals out there which might make your traveling experience more convenient and economical. Check out Budget Travel for some excellent package deals. For example, a package deal to Costa Rica includes airfare, 6 nights at a hotel and a car for $849. That’s a fantastic price!

Travel light.

This sounds weird but traveling with less can end up saving you money. You don’t have to check bags, you’re not bogged down by luggage which means you can jump around to affordable hostels, meet more people and you don’t have the option of carrying valuable items or buying more. I always travel with just a backpack and I feel like it limits my ability to spend money or feel like I have to stay at an expensive location because transporting my luggage is such a pain.

Tuesday Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

With some careful planning, you can travel the world on a budget. Buy your airline tickets on Tuesday and always look for the cheap alternatives to lodging, transportation, etc. A good sense of adventure, at the end of the time, is your best tool when traveling on a dime.

Related: Best Time to Buy

Tuesday Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets.