As the year draws to a close, many of us in Singapore are likely planning our year-end vacations, often scheduled during the school holidays around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, if not planned in advance, this can turn out to be quite costly.
For those travelling overseas from Singapore during this period, airfare and accommodation will likely be among the largest expenses.
It’s important to plan ahead to manage these costs. So, when is the worst time to book your flights from Singapore for the year-end holidays?
Avoid Leaving It Last Minute
Booking your flight just a week or two before departure isn’t ideal. This is backed by data showing that more travellers, especially in Asia, are opting to book their tickets earlier.
According to Skyscanner’s latest Horizons report (March 2024), there has been an overall rise in Asia Pacific travellers booking more than 60 days in advance.
Source: Skyscanner Horizons 2024 report
By booking at least two months (or even further) in advance, you increase your chances of avoiding the rush for limited seats on popular year-end routes, such as flights to Thailand or Japan.
In fact, Skyscanner previously reported that Singaporeans could save up to 15% by booking short-haul flights within Asia ahead of time. Although this data was from 2018, before the pandemic, the potential savings are likely even higher now due to the strong resurgence in demand for air travel after the COVID-19 pandemic years.
Travel Destination And Day Of Week Can Impact Costs
The savings for flights to Europe during Christmas can be even more significant the earlier you book.
According to Skyscanner’s Savings Generator, the ideal time to book a flight from Singapore to Bangkok for December travel is 13 weeks in advance. For more popular routes, like Phuket, the best prices are available when booking 25 weeks ahead.
Ideally, we should aim to book year-end holiday flights at least three months in advance, meaning tickets should be finalized by mid-September at the latest.
Additionally, the day of the week you book can influence the cost, as flight prices follow a weekly cycle. Booking early in the week is generally cheaper, especially on Tuesdays. The most expensive days to book are typically Fridays and Saturdays. This is likely because most people have time to plan their trips on weekends, so there’s naturally an increase in bookings during this period. Airlines, recognising this higher demand, raise their prices accordingly.
Stretching Your Budget For The Year-End Holiday
Taking a more disciplined approach to planning your year-end holiday can save you significant money on plane tickets. Booking well in advance has become the norm for peak travel periods, such as the summer months of June and July or the popular winter months of November and December.
In Singapore, school holidays also influence flight prices, so travelling outside these periods can be an excellent way to avoid higher costs if you don’t have children.
The general rule is to avoid booking flights 2 to 4 weeks before your travel date, especially during peak seasons. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing lower prices, as many travellers opt to plan.
Delaying your booking until the last minute, especially on Fridays or Saturdays, can lead to significantly higher flight costs during November and December. Taking the “early bird” approach is often the best way to avoid a hefty penalty in ticket prices.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Private Plane In Singapore?
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