The eternal question that occupies every traveler, whether it's a weekend getaway or a family visit: when is the cheapest time to buy a plane ticket? While planning a trip within the country may seem simpler than an overseas adventure, perfect timing is still golden. Airline pricing is based on a complex system, but fortunately, there are proven practices that can save you significant amounts of money. We'll reveal what to look for to get to your destination at the best price.
The Golden Mean: The Ideal Booking Window
Most experts and our experience show that for domestic flights, the ideal booking period is 1-3 months before your trip. We can call this the “golden mean” or the “booking sweet spot.” Why exactly then? Airlines generally announce their flights well in advance, but initially at higher prices to gauge demand. As the travel date approaches and they see booking data, they begin to fine-tune prices to fill the plane.
During this 1-3 month period, the supply is still plentiful, but demand has not yet increased so much that prices skyrocket. This is when you have the best chance of finding a good balance between price and available flights. It’s worth starting to browse on the Unifly.hu search engine at this time and setting up a price alert, which will notify you immediately when prices drop on your selected route.
Holiday Periods and Peak Season: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute!
Of course, there are exceptions to the general rule, and the most important of these are peak seasons. If you are planning to travel during Christmas, Easter, the summer high season, or a long weekend, forget the 1-3 month rule! Demand is guaranteed to be high during these times, and airlines have no interest in selling tickets cheaply. Prices are moving in almost one direction: upwards.
For these periods, we recommend booking at least 3-6 months in advance. It may not be the lowest price you can achieve throughout the year, but you are almost certain to be better off than if you try to book closer to the trip. The best places sell out quickly, and procrastination here can mean an extra cost of tens of thousands of forints.
The Myth and Reality of Last-Minute Booking
Many people believe in the legend that the cheapest plane tickets can be obtained by booking at the last minute. While this may sometimes work for hotels or package tours, in the world of plane tickets it poses a significant risk. Airlines typically do not discount the remaining seats in the last few days, but reserve them for business travelers and emergencies who are willing and forced to pay the premium price for flexibility.
Of course, an occasional promotion may occur, but basing your vacation on this is quite bold. If the date and destination are completely flexible for you, you might get lucky. But if you have a specific plan, waiting until the last minute is almost always the most expensive solution. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, plan ahead!
Flexibility is Your Best Friend
In addition to the booking time, there is another factor with which you can save a lot: flexible travel dates. If you can, try to travel on weekdays, especially Tuesday or Wednesday. Friday and Sunday flights are almost always more expensive, as most people align their travel with weekend commuting. The Unifly.hu flexible date search function helps you quickly see which days have the best prices in a given month. Sometimes even a difference of one or two days can make a huge difference in the ticket price.