A large part of vacation planning is figuring out the best time to book essential aspects of your trip for the biggest savings. While it isn’t an exact science, there are certain windows when travelers can save on hotel accommodations and flights. Use this guide to figure out how far in advance you should book these travel arrangements.

When to Book the Flight

Airfare will generally go up and down multiple times in an 11-month window. However, you will often get the best deals by booking approximately 40 to 120 days before the departure. Mark this time frame in your vacation planning calendar, so you can begin monitoring flights and pounce on an optimal rate when it comes along.

Summertime is often the tightest window, as the biggest savings tend to show up about a month and a half before the departure date. Waiting after this prime window often results in a significant ticket price increase as flights start to sell out. 

Winter and fall trips generally have a larger prime window of two to three months before the departure date. If you want to travel in spring, plan to book your flight at least three months in advance. 

When to Book the Hotel

Booking your hotel before your flight can result in a nonrefundable mistake. Instead, make sure you have your flight and travel itinerary in hand, so you can double-check arrival and departure times during this stage of vacation planning. 

Besides lining up the flight, you also want to consider any events happening in the area where you plan to stay that might cause hotels to fill up early. However, if this is an annual occurrence, most hotels expect the business and will hike prices up for these early planners.

Usually, it’s best to start checking prices between 40 and 21 days ahead of your stay. If rates are still high everywhere at this point, book your room fast.

If there is a lull for some reason, you can expect prices to drop as hotels try to book up every room.

Wherever you plan to travel, the vacation planning professionals at N & K Travel Service Inc in Honolulu, HI, are here to help. Since 1997, this family-owned and -operated business has made travel stress-free for Oahu residents. Their travel agents specialize in U.S., Japan, and international guided tours. Call them today at (808) 739-9010 for a free estimate, and visit their website to learn more about their services.