Have you ever asked yourself, “How far in advance should I book my trip to get best price in Nigeria?”
One of the most expensive items in your vacation budget is the purchase of a trip ticket.
There are several factors that can cause you to spend more money while traveling. One of such factors is booking your ticket at the wrong time.
Knowing the best time to book tickets might help you save money and time on your trip. Plane ticket rates can fluctuate depending on the season, day of the week, and even month of the year.
So, if you are curious about knowing how far in advance you should book your trip to get the best price in Nigeria, you are in the right place. Keep reading to find out.
How Far in Advance Should I Book My Trip to Get the Best Price in Nigeria?
Airlines in Nigeria start offering cheaper seats about four months before departure for local flights. When it has to do with international flights, they start offering cheaper tickets five months before departure. So, if you want to get the best offers for tickets, you can book within this period
While an avid traveler will regularly watch their travel route and prepare to take advantage of an attractive price, we recommend buying a flight four months to three weeks (or 121 to 21 days) before the departure date to get the best price.
Also, book vacation tickets as soon as you see them. These are often limited, so procrastinating could lose you your dream holiday. They are frequently much cheaper than regular tickets.
Remember that rates rise significantly throughout the week of departure, and you could spend up to 40% more if you book on your departure day. So, avoid reserving too close to the departure time.
Also Read: 7 Extra Fees You Should Consider Adding to your Travel Plan
What is the Cheapest Time to Book Tickets for Domestic Trips
The cheapest day to book a domestic flight is usually Sunday, with Saturday coming in a close second. If you are traveling for leisure, plan your flight in the afternoon. Prices are usually lower than in the morning when many business travelers buy flights on company accounts.
March, September, and October are often the cheapest months to fly, just outside of local high seasons (save for the Easter weekend).
Although a lot of people say that midweek is the ideal time to purchase plane tickets, Nigerians may not agree with this statement. On the flip side, the most expensive days to book domestic flights are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Also, try to avoid making reservations just before school and public holidays. Traveling in April, May, November, and December is most expensive during these months.
In airports with a lot of noise and packed aircraft, you’ll be up against more than simply low-cost carriers.
The holidays of Eid (June/July) and Christmas (December) often bring a spike in travel costs. You might want to plan ahead for that vacation to Dubai because airlines often raise their fares just before the busiest periods of travel.
What is the Cheapest Time to Book Tickets for International Trips
Nigerians love traveling to countries like the UAE, Canada, the USA, and the UK for holidays. Several well-known foreign cities that have a significant influx of Nigerian tourists are:
- New York
- Washington
- Houston
- London
- Dubai
- Nairobi
- Johannesburg
- Toronto
Nigerians who are dreaming of taking their dream vacation to Vancouver or Paris would be happy to hear that Saturdays usually offer the lowest ticket prices. First, the fastest fingers!
You will get the cheapest price in January, March, and October when you want to book a trip out of Nigeria, depending on your destination.
When planning a trip to Nigeria over the holidays, make sure to purchase your tickets at least five months in advance.
Avoid booking tickets on Thursdays and Fridays because these are the most expensive days to purchase international flight tickets.
You may anticipate paying about 10% extra for your ticket on a Thursday than you would if you booked during the weekend.
Avoid overseas travel during the months of April, May, July, and December, as flight tickets are likely to be significantly more expensive.
Keep in mind that everything is much more expensive, including flights and lodging, if you intend to visit during the busiest time of year at your destination.
Therefore, keep an eye out for globally recognized celebrations and events that attract sizable crowds, and steer clear of scheduling your travel during those busy periods.
The Rio Carnival, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year, Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, etc.
Also Read: How to Get Cheaper Flight Tickets in Nigeria for Domestic and International Trips
Extra Tips to Help You Get the Best Trip Prices in Nigeria
Below are some extra tips that will make you make better travel decisions:
1. Don’t Book Too Far in Advance
Although getting your tickets at the last minute won’t guarantee you the cheapest seats, it’s a good idea to avoid booking your tickets too far in advance.
The six weeks prior to your intended departure date is the best time to book your ticket because certain airlines may be offering last-minute deals.
You can save about 14% if you book three to five months in advance, but keep in mind that you won’t be able to take advantage of the lower fares if the price decreases later or the airline has an unexpected flash sale a few days before you plan to fly.
In the event that you attempt to modify your reservation, you will probably be charged penalty change fees, negating the initial savings goal. Thus, strive to be adaptable and avoid making all of your reservations much in advance, in case a last-minute deal becomes available!
2. Keep Tabs on the Oil Price
Many factors influence the ticket pricing algorithm, which is quite sophisticated. One of these variables is the price of oil. When booking an airplane ticket, keep track of the Naira to oil price exchange rate. If the Naira has dropped, you may wish to postpone your purchase.
Conversely, if the Naira price of oil is rising, you may want to take advantage and book your travel immediately.
That’s all you need to know about the best times to book flights in Nigeria. You don’t have to book on our recommended days of the week. However, we highly recommend them because these are the cheapest days to fly.
If you believe there is an optimum time for you to take a flight? Please let us know in the comments. We’d love to include your list in our article.
