Cheapest Times to Fly from the UK: A Month-by-Month Guide

Flight prices from the UK can vary enormously depending on when you travel. The difference between flying in peak summer and the cheapest month of the year can be hundreds of pounds per person. If your schedule allows any flexibility at all, understanding the seasonal patterns of airfares can save you a significant chunk of your holiday budget.

This month-by-month guide breaks down when flights are cheapest from UK airports, which destinations offer the best value at different times of year, and how school holidays affect pricing.

Understanding UK Flight Pricing

Flight prices from the UK are driven primarily by demand, which follows predictable patterns linked to school holidays, weather, and cultural events. The four most expensive periods are the summer holidays (late July to August), Christmas and New Year (mid-December to early January), Easter (varies each year), and half-term weeks in February, May, and October.

Outside these periods, prices drop dramatically. Airlines need to fill seats year-round, and competition on popular routes means that off-peak fares can be remarkably cheap. Budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air regularly offer flights for under £30 each way during quiet periods, while even full-service carriers reduce prices significantly outside school holidays.

January: One of the Cheapest Months

After the Christmas rush, January sees a sharp drop in flight prices. The first week may still be slightly elevated due to New Year returns, but from mid-January onwards, prices are among the lowest of the year. This is an excellent time to fly to destinations that have mild winter weather, such as the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Lanzarote enjoy temperatures around 20 to 22 degrees), Morocco, and the Middle East.

Long-haul destinations in South-East Asia, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali, are in their dry season and offer exceptional value in January. Return flights from London to Bangkok can dip below £400 during this month, compared to £600 or more in summer.

February: Watch Out for Half-Term

February is generally cheap, but the week of February half-term (usually the third week) sees a sharp spike in prices, particularly to family-friendly destinations and ski resorts. If you can travel outside that specific week, February offers good deals to winter sun destinations and European city breaks. Prague, Budapest, and Lisbon are particularly affordable for city breaks in February, with return flights often under £50 from London airports.

March: Pre-Easter Bargains

March is one of the best months for cheap flights, provided Easter falls in April. If Easter is early (late March), the last two weeks can see price increases. Otherwise, March offers some of the lowest fares of the year to Mediterranean destinations that are starting to warm up. The Algarve, Malaga, and the Greek islands begin their spring season, and flights are a fraction of summer prices. Expect return flights to Spain for £40 to £80 from regional UK airports.

April: Easter Creates a Split

Easter typically falls in April and creates a two-week period of elevated prices. The rest of April, however, is excellent for travel. Spring weather makes destinations like Croatia, Italy, and southern France particularly appealing, with comfortable temperatures and far fewer crowds than summer. Late April flights to Rome, Barcelona, or Dubrovnik can be surprisingly affordable, often under £100 return.

May: A Sweet Spot Before Summer

May is widely regarded as one of the best months for holiday value. The weather in southern Europe is warm and sunny (25 to 30 degrees in Greece, Turkey, and the western Mediterranean), prices have not yet hit summer levels, and crowds are manageable. The only caveat is May half-term (usually the last week), which pushes prices up for that week only. Fly in the first three weeks of May for the best combination of weather and price.

Turkey and Tunisia are exceptional value in May, with return flights often under £100 and accommodation prices significantly lower than June, July, or August.

June: Prices Start to Climb

Early June is still reasonably priced, but from mid-June onwards, prices rise steadily as the summer holiday season approaches. If your children are not yet school age, the first two weeks of June are ideal for Mediterranean holidays at moderate prices with excellent weather. Families with school-age children will find June still cheaper than July or August, but the savings are modest compared to May or September.

July and August: Peak Prices

These are the most expensive months to fly from the UK. Prices to popular family destinations like Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Turkey can be double or triple the off-peak rates. A return flight to Malaga that costs £45 in March might cost £180 or more in August. Long-haul flights also see significant markups.

If you must fly during summer holidays, book as early as possible (January or February for summer flights), be flexible on your specific dates, and consider flying midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) rather than weekends. Flying from less popular airports (Birmingham, Manchester, or Bristol instead of London) can sometimes offer savings, though this varies by route.

September: The Smart Traveller's Favourite

September is arguably the best month for holiday value. Schools are back, so demand drops dramatically, but the weather in southern Europe remains warm and sunny (28 to 32 degrees in Greece, Turkey, and the Canary Islands). Flight prices fall sharply from the first week of September, and hotel and apartment prices drop simultaneously. A week in Crete that costs £1,200 in August might be £600 in September, including flights.

October: Still Warm, Still Cheap

Early October offers warm weather in the eastern Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey, Cyprus) and the Canary Islands, with prices remaining low until October half-term (usually the last week). The Canary Islands are a particularly strong choice for October holidays, as temperatures remain around 25 to 28 degrees while mainland Europe cools down. Half-term week does see prices jump, but not to summer levels.

November: Rock-Bottom Prices

November is one of the cheapest months to fly. If you do not mind cooler weather at your destination, European cities offer fantastic value. But for sun seekers, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Egypt provide warm temperatures at low prices. November is also the start of the Caribbean and Maldives high season, though long-haul prices to these destinations start to rise as winter approaches.

December: A Month of Two Halves

The first two weeks of December can be surprisingly cheap, making it a good time for pre-Christmas getaways and winter sun breaks. From around 15th December, prices surge for the Christmas and New Year period, reaching some of the highest levels of the year. The Canary Islands are especially expensive over Christmas due to demand from UK holidaymakers seeking winter sun.

Top Tips for Finding Cheap Flights

• Book early for peak periods: For summer, Christmas, and half-terms, book three to six months ahead.
• Book late for off-peak: For quiet months, last-minute deals can offer incredible savings, though this involves more risk.
• Use fare comparison tools: Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak let you compare prices across dates and destinations. Use the "flexible dates" feature to find the cheapest day to fly.
• Fly midweek: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday flights are typically 20% to 30% cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights.
• Consider nearby airports: Flying into a different airport at your destination (for example, Girona instead of Barcelona, or Bergamo instead of Milan) can save significantly.
• Set up price alerts: Most comparison sites and airlines let you set alerts for specific routes so you are notified when prices drop.

Use our holiday budget planner to calculate the total cost of your trip, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities.