TRAVEL: Perfect timing for best prices

TIMING is everything when it comes to getting the best flight bargains.

Book too early and you risk paying over the odds, although your seat is guaranteed; leave it too late and the flight may be sold out or only available at peak prices.

According to Skyscanner the average optimum time for booking most flights is seven weeks in advance.

The global travel search engine has analysed millions of exits from Ireland to find out when the best prices to popular destination are up for grabs.

Getting the best deal really depends on the destination. Passengers booking flights to Amsterdam can save up to 35 per cent on average prices to the Dutch capital by booking 17 weeks in advance.

Closer to home, there’s savings of up to 41 per cent on flights to Manchester booked 17 weeks in advance, while there’s a fantastic 45 per cent saving on flights to Paris booked seven weeks before take off.

The month Irish holidaymakers travel can also make a difference with Skyscanner’s data showing November as the cheapest month to travel from Ireland, with savings of up to 14 per cent to be made against average price flights.

At the other end of the scale, the summer holiday month of July is by far the most expensive month to travel in.

Travel editor at Skyscanner.ie, Cat McGloin, explained why the online search engine carried out the research.

“As an unbiased global travel search site, we felt it was important to analyse all the data we have access to and share this insight with travellers to help them get the best price,” she said.

“Other tips for getting the best deals on flights include using our browse by month tool which shows the cheapest flights available and setting up price alerts so that you’ll get alerted as soon as the price changes.”