In an era where travel prices are rising and advice on how to book is abundant, travel experts reveal the most important secret to getting the cheapest flight tickets: flexibility.

* "Flexibility is key"

James Byers, head of the product team at Google Flights, confirms that the most important recommendation Google offers to travelers seeking good deals is: do not limit yourself to specific dates.

"Just adjusting travel dates by a day or two can make a big difference in price," Byers says.

* Flexibility may mean:

_ traveling midweek instead of on the weekend.

_ choosing off-peak seasons like fall or spring.

_ avoiding public holidays and peak seasons.

* Cheapest travel days: Monday to Wednesday

According to an analysis by Google Flights of data from over 4000 travel markets in America between January 2021 and August 2025, it was found that:

•Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the cheapest travel days, with prices 13% lower compared to the weekend.

• Domestic flights departing midweek save about 42 dollars (or 14%).

•Sunday is the most expensive, due to the high volume of returnees from weekend trips.

Economic expert at Hopper, Hailey Berg, recommends that those wanting a short vacation can save a lot by traveling on Wednesday and returning on Saturday or Monday.

* Not just flights... hotels too!

Data from Hopper also revealed that weekend stays cost more:

Checking in on Friday or Saturday and staying until Sunday increases the price by about 20%, or an additional 50 dollars per night.

Staying from Tuesday to Thursday is the cheapest.

* The booking day myth

Do you think booking on Tuesday saves money? Think again.

Sally French, travel analyst at NerdWallet, points out that the booking day is not as important as the travel day.

Despite the common belief, data from Google Flights showed that booking on Tuesday only saves 1.3% compared to the more expensive Sunday.

"I wouldn't advise my friends to wait until Tuesday to book, as it's not a deciding factor," Byers says.

* Choose the season carefully: "Shoulder Season" offers a lot

Traveling outside of peak season gives travelers the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars:

• In 2024, travelers saved up to 40% ( 150 dollars on average) by shifting their trips from mid-summer to September or October.

• It is advisable to avoid peak summer ( July _ August ) and travel during transitional periods between seasons.

* Challenges to flexibility

However, not everyone can be flexible :

_Families may be tied to school holidays.

_ Some professions (like teachers or accountants) have restrictions on vacation timing.

_ Cruise and tour schedules are often fixed.

_ Adding days before or after the trip means additional costs for hotels and expenses.

* Alternative ways to save money

Here are some tips recommended by experts to reduce travel costs:

1_ Layover flights:

Save about 22% compared to direct flights.

They can be tiring but cost-effective.

2 _ Travel light:

Take a carry-on bag with all essentials to avoid lost luggage and extra costs.

3 _ Book early:

• The best time to book domestic flights: 39 days before the travel date.

• International flights: 49 days before.

This timing varies by destination, but generally provides lower prices.

* In summary: How to travel at the lowest possible price?

1 _ Be flexible with dates: even a day or two makes a difference.

2 _ Choose midweek days for travel and return.

3 _ Avoid peak seasons and holidays.

4 _ Do not wait for the "cheapest booking day", focus on the timing of the trip.

5 _ Book early and consider layover flights if you are looking for a lower price.

In a world where flight prices change rapidly, flexibility remains the key factor in achieving the greatest possible savings in travel, are you ready to experience smart travel?

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