We often don't have to think about it in September, but when you walk into the supermarket and see the gingerbread cookies in the store again, it's obvious; In less than 12 weeks it will be December again. Do you already know what to do for Christmas this year? Are you celebrating the holidays with your family or friends in the Netherlands? Or are you taking a break? Skyscanner has analyzed* in which week Dutch people can book their plane ticket most cheaply for anyone who wants to have a nice trip at Christmas.
Increase ticket prices to European destinations 10 weeks before Christmas
The international travel search engine examined the figures for both short and intercontinental flights. Do you want to celebrate your Christmas holidays within Europe? Then it is good to know that the prices for airline tickets will increase 10 weeks before Christmas. Fleur Brugman, Growth Manager at Skyscanner:we did this analysis to be able to advise Dutch people when you can book the most economical flight ticket for a Christmas destination departing from Dutch airports. Don't you really care where you go? Then it is on average most economical to book 4 weeks in advance; you save about 9% on your European plane ticket. The choice is, of course, more limited. But don't wait any longer, because the tickets will become much more expensive in the last 2 weeks before Christmas."
Tips for booking distant Christmas destinations
Looking for a nice distant destination for your Christmas leave? Then things are a little different. Don't you really care where you go? Then you can book a super last-minute ticket 2 to 3 days before Christmas and save an average of 4%. If you book a little longer before Christmas (until a week before the 25th of December), the prices will peak quickly. 3 weeks before Christmas you can save an average of 15% and 11 weeks in advance the average saving is 6%. That is always nice and that way you have some money left over for Christmas gifts!
Skyscanner also recommends that the Saturday before Christmas is the busiest travel day during this holiday period. Do you want to avoid the Christmas crowds and fly a little more peacefully? Then it is best to leave on December 17, which is on average the least busy travel day in this period*.
* the analysis is based on data from skyscanner.nl related to flights around the Christmas period with departures between 16.12.2017 and 31.12.2017 and return between 26 December and 7 January 2018. The results should be interpreted as a tool for travelers to use to make the best date to book; there is no guarantee that there will be an exact date when ticket prices will be lowest.
