IF you're thinking of getting away from it all this Christmas (and leaving behind the cold) then today is the best time to book.

Data from website Skyscanner shows the optimum time to buy flights for Christmas is 13 weeks before - that's September 25. 

But Christmas Day is the most expensive day to fly out of the UK, so if you're looking for a bargain, December 23 is the one to go for.

You'll save 16 per cent on average flight price for Christmas period on this date.

So, if you're thinking of opting out of the turkey dinner this year and leaving the washing up to someone else, here's what to do. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Pic. Getty

Skyscanner gives the following advice for winter sun seekers. 

  • Busiest Day to fly out of the UK is typically the Friday before Christmas​
  • Best time to book flights for Christmas is 13 weeks in advance, yet most wait until last minute to book
  • Tenerife leads the way in the best value Christmas destination (hotel and flights prices combined) for 2019, saving 33%
  • Buenos Aires leads the way for long haul value destinations, saving 22%
  • Christmas Day is most expensive day to fly out of the UK, cheapest day is 23rd December, saving 16% on average flight price for Christmas period
  • Busiest Day to fly out of the UK is typically the Friday before Christmas​

When looking at flights, the best time to book festive flights out of the UK is 13 weeks ahead. 

The global travel search engine has also uncovered the cheapest destinations based on both flight and hotel data, as well as the cheapest day to fly out over the festive period, and when airports are at their busiest, allowing travellers to avoid the festive rush.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Pic. Getty

Lisa Tyndall, Senior Growth Manager from Skyscanner, said: "Christmas can be one of the most expensive times of the year and with this in mind we wanted to help identify ways to help travellers save money. 

"Looking at our flight data we can see that the best time to book flights for Christmas tends to be 13 weeks in advance of travel, although looking back over the years we have found that travellers have a tendency to book last minute.  

"It might also surprise some to know that flying out on Christmas Day is in fact the most expensive over the festive period.

"Flying out on the 23rd December is the cheapest day to fly out, and if you want to avoid the crowds then avoid the Friday before Christmas as our data shows that this is usually the busiest day for travel³.”

WHERE TO GO FOR VALUE – Value Destinations for Christmas 2019 

 

 

  • Tenerife -33%
  • Palma -31%
  • Prague -23%
  • Buenos Aires -22%
  • Budapest -22%
  • Warsaw -21%
  • Vienna -19%
  • Krakow -18%
  • Dusseldorf -17%
  • Barcelona -17%