Saving money on travel starts before you even pack your bags. According to the British newspaper Express, and according to a British tourism expert, choosing the day of the week you fly can have a significant impact on the final price of your holiday, and the cheapest day is not what most people think.
Rob, travel analyst for the On The Beach platform, analyzed thousands of reservations for 2026 and discovered that traveling on Friday can represent an average saving of 13% compared to Wednesday, the day considered most expensive.
The explanation behind the difference
The results surprised even the most experienced travelers. “At first glance, Friday seems like an expensive day to travel, due to the higher demand,” explained Rob. “But the opposite happens, as there are more flights and more tourist packages available, companies lower prices to fill seats.”
According to the expert, airlines increase the offer of leisure routes on Fridays, taking advantage of the natural beginning of weekend getaways and short vacations. This greater availability of seats means that the average cost per ticket ends up decreasing for this day of the week.
The day you should avoid
In the analysis, Wednesday turned out to be the most expensive day of the week to fly. The reason? “It’s the peak of business travel, with planes full of corporate passengers driving up prices, especially on short-haul flights,” he explained.
Next comes Tuesday, with a minimal difference, while Saturday ranks third among the most expensive. Domingo is in the middle of the table, being the fourth most expensive, or the fourth cheapest, depending on your point of view.
Monday and Thursday: good alternatives
For those who cannot travel on Friday, Monday and Thursday are good options. Mondays tend to be undervalued for a curious reason: “People associate Monday with returning to work and not with the start of vacation”, explained the analyst, which reduces demand and, consequently, prices.
Thursdays benefit from a favorable combination, avoiding the chaos of weekends and offering competitive rates, especially in packages with short stays.
When booking makes a difference
The expert remembers that the day of the week on which the trip is scheduled also influences the final price. The best offers usually appear between Tuesday and Thursday, when airlines adjust fares and free up seats from canceled promotions.
“There is no magic formula”, recognizes Rob, “but choosing the day of your flight well can mean the difference between paying full price or ensuring a good saving.”
A tip to keep in mind for 2026
According to the study, cited by , travelers who choose Friday as their departure day get, on average, cheaper flights, more package options and more comfortable schedules. The explanation is simple: more supply means less pressure on prices.
Although the variations always depend on the destination and time of year, the conclusion is clear, traveling on Friday could be the smartest way to save on your 2026 vacation.
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