How To Get The Cheapest Flights On Top International Routes
Booking airline tickets has never been easier, with travellers offered a world of information and various online comparison sites. In theory, knowing when to book the cheapest flights should be simple – but with so many different theories and opinions on the best time to buy airline tickets, it can actually be rather confusing instead.
To help you with your holiday planning, we’ve got some handy tips and tricks on the best time to buy airline tickets for the world’s busiest international flight routes. We scoured data by OAG, which tabulates the frequencies of international routes in 2019, and compared this to current data from Momondo, which accesses a database of over a million flights across the globe.
Using this data, we’ve put together handy infographics to ensure that you book your flights at the right time to get the best deal when travelling on any of the world’s most popular international flight routes.
1. Kuala Lumpur – Singapore (30,187 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur is October. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Saturday. The most expensive is usually Monday.
Cheapest time: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore flights are approximately 24% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: Thai Lion Air, Jetstar Asia, and Scoot are the most popular carriers operating from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is approximately 34 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore is October. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Singapore to Kuala Lumpur flights are approximately 16% more expensive in the evening than at midday.
Cheapest airline: Jetstar Asia, AirAsia, and Malindo Air are the most popular carriers operating from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur is approximately 31 days before departure.
2. Hong Kong – Taipei (28,447 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Taipei from Hong Kong is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Monday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Hong Kong to Taipei flights are approximately 9% more expensive in the afternoon than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: China Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, and EVA Air are the most popular carriers operating from Hong Kong to Taipei.
Cheapest route: Fly from Hong Kong Intl to Taipei Sung Shan for the best Hong Kong - Taipei flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Hong Kong to Taipei is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Hong Kong from Taipei is July. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Saturday. The most expensive is usually Monday.
Cheapest time: Taipei to Hong Kong flights are approximately 3% more expensive at midday than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: Cathay Dragon, EVA Air, and China Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from Taipei to Hong Kong.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Taipei to Hong Kong is approximately 60 days before departure.
3. Jakarta – Singapore (27,046 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Singapore from Jakarta is October. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Jakarta to Singapore flights are approximately 36% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: Jetstar Asia, Indonesia AirAsia, and Scoot are the most popular carriers operating from Jakarta to Singapore.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Jakarta to Singapore is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Jakarta from Singapore is September. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Thursday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: Singapore to Jakarta flights are approximately 25% more expensive in the afternoon than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: Indonesia AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, and Thai Lion Air are the most popular carriers operating from Singapore to Jakarta.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Singapore to Jakarta is approximately 60 days before departure.
4. Hong Kong – Shanghai (20,678 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Shanghai from Hong Kong is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Monday.
Cheapest time: Hong Kong to Shanghai flights are approximately 13% more expensive at midday than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: China Eastern, XiamenAir, and Juneyao Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from Hong Kong to Shanghai.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Hong Kong from Shanghai is June. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Monday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Shanghai to Hong Kong flights are approximately 14% more expensive at midday than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: XiamenAir, China Eastern, and Spring Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from Shanghai to Hong Kong.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong is approximately 45 days before departure.
5. Jakarta – Kuala Lumpur (19,741 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta is October. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur flights are approximately 7% more expensive in the afternoon than at midday.
Cheapest airline: Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia, and Malindo Air are the most popular carriers operating from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur is approximately 50 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur is October. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Friday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta flights are approximately 13% more expensive in the afternoon than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: AirAsia, Malindo Air, and KLM are the most popular carriers operating from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta is approximately 39 days before departure.
6. Seoul – Osaka (19,711 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Osaka from Seoul is June. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Seoul to Osaka flights are approximately 6% more expensive in the evening than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: Eastar Jet, Air Seoul, and Jeju Air are the most popular carriers operating from Seoul to Osaka.
Cheapest route: Fly from Seoul Gimpo Intl to Osaka Itami for the best Seoul - Osaka flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Seoul to Osaka is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Seoul from Osaka is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Thursday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Osaka to Seoul flights are approximately 35% more expensive in the afternoon than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: Jin Air, Jeju Air, and Peach are the most popular carriers operating from Osaka to Seoul.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Osaka to Seoul is approximately 42 days before departure.
7. New York – Toronto (17,038 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Toronto from New York is March. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: New York to Toronto flights are approximately 10% more expensive in the evening than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: WestJet, American Airlines, and Air Canada are the most popular carriers operating from New York to Toronto.
Cheapest route: Fly from New York LaGuardia to Toronto Pearson Intl for the best New York - Toronto flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from New York to Toronto is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to New York from Toronto is February. The most expensive is August.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Thursday.
Cheapest time: Toronto to New York flights are approximately 18% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Canada are the most popular carriers operating from Toronto to New York.
Cheapest route: Fly from Toronto Pearson Intl to New York LaGuardia for the best Toronto - New York flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Toronto to New York is approximately 60 days before departure.
8. Hong Kong – Seoul (15,770 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Seoul from Hong Kong is May. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: Hong Kong to Seoul flights are approximately 22% more expensive at midday than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: Eastar Jet, HK Express, and Jin Air are the most popular carriers operating from Hong Kong to Seoul.
Cheapest route: Fly from Hong Kong Intl to Seoul Incheon Intl for the best Hong Kong - Seoul flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Hong Kong to Seoul is approximately 50 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Hong Kong from Seoul is May. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Seoul to Hong Kong flights are approximately 30% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: HK Express, Jeju Air, and Jin Air are the most popular carriers operating from Seoul to Hong Kong.
Cheapest route: Fly from Seoul Incheon Intl to Hong Kong Intl for the best Seoul - Hong Kong flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Seoul to Hong Kong is approximately 60 days before departure.
9. Bangkok – Singapore (14,698 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Singapore from Bangkok is September. The most expensive is December.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: Bangkok to Singapore flights are approximately 15% more expensive in the morning than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Scoot are the most popular carriers operating from Bangkok to Singapore.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Bangkok to Singapore is approximately 53 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Bangkok from Singapore is September. The most expensive is December.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Monday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Singapore to Bangkok flights are approximately 26% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Royal Brunei Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from Singapore to Bangkok
Cheapest route: Fly from Singapore Changi to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi for the best Singapore - Bangkok flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Singapore to Bangkok is approximately 51 days before departure.
10. Dubai – Kuwait (14,581 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Kuwait City from Dubai is December. The most expensive is August.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Thursday. The most expensive is usually Tuesday.
Cheapest time: Dubai to Kuwait City flights are approximately 8% more expensive in the afternoon than at midday.
Cheapest airline: Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Gulf Air are the most popular carriers operating from Dubai to Kuwait City.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Dubai to Kuwait City is approximately 54 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Dubai from Kuwait City is September. The most expensive is August.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Saturday. The most expensive is usually Thursday.
Cheapest time: Kuwait City to Dubai flights are approximately 9% more expensive at midday than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: Gulf Air, Air Arabia, and Kuwait Airways are the most popular carriers operating from Kuwait City to Dubai.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Kuwait City to Dubai is approximately 60 days before departure.
11. Bangkok – Hong Kong (14,556 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Hong Kong from Bangkok is June. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Bangkok to Hong Kong flights are approximately 16% more expensive in the morning than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: AirAsia, HK Express, and Scoot are the most popular carriers operating from Bangkok to Hong Kong.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Bangkok from Hong Kong is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Hong Kong to Bangkok flights are approximately 11% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: HK Express, THAI Smile, and China Eastern are the most popular carriers operating from Hong Kong to Bangkok.
Cheapest route: Fly from Hong Kong Intl to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi & other airports for the best Hong Kong - Bangkok flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok is approximately 56 days before departure.
12. Hong Kong – Beijing (14,537 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Beijing from Hong Kong is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Sunday. The most expensive is usually Thursday.
Cheapest time: Hong Kong to Beijing flights are approximately 29% more expensive in the evening than at midday.
Cheapest airline: China Southern, XiamenAir, and Hong Kong Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from Hong Kong to Beijing.
Cheapest route: Fly from Hong Kong Intl to Beijing Capital for the best Hong Kong - Beijing flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Hong Kong to Beijing is approximately 59 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Hong Kong from Beijing is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Saturday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: Beijing to Hong Kong flights are approximately 58% more expensive in the afternoon than at midday.
Cheapest airline: China Southern, China Eastern, and XiamenAir are the most popular carriers operating from Beijing to Hong Kong.
Cheapest route: Fly from Beijing Capital to Hong Kong Intl for the best Beijing - Hong Kong flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Beijing to Hong Kong is approximately 60 days before departure.
13. New York – London (14,195 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to London from New York is February. The most expensive is June.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Wednesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: New York to London flights are approximately 9% more expensive in the afternoon than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: Ryanair and SWISS are the most popular carriers operating from New York to London.
Cheapest route: Fly from New York John F Kennedy Intl to London Gatwick for the best New York - London flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from New York to London is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to New York from London is February. The most expensive is July.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Thursday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: London to New York flights are approximately 4% more expensive in the morning than at midday.
Cheapest airline: Ryanair and Flybe are the most popular carriers operating from London to New York.
Cheapest route: Fly from London Luton to New York LaGuardia for the best London - New York flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from London to New York is approximately 41 days before departure.
14. Tokyo – Taipei (13,902 flights)
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Taipei from Tokyo is November. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Monday. The most expensive is usually Saturday.
Cheapest time: Tokyo to Taipei flights are approximately 10% more expensive at midday than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: Peach, Scoot, and Tigerair Taiwan are the most popular carriers operating from Tokyo to Taipei.
Cheapest route: Fly from Tokyo Haneda to Taipei Taiwan Taoyuan Intl & other Airports for the best Tokyo - Taipei flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Tokyo to Taipei is approximately 60 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Tokyo from Taipei is October. The most expensive is February.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Thursday. The most expensive is usually Monday.
Cheapest time: Taipei to Tokyo flights are approximately 37% more expensive in the afternoon than in the evening.
Cheapest airline: Vanilla Air, Jetstar Japan, and Tigerair Taiwan are the most popular carriers operating from Taipei to Tokyo.
Cheapest route: Fly from Taipei Sung Shan to Tokyo Haneda for the best Taipei - Tokyo flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Taipei to Tokyo is approximately 60 days before departure.
15. Dublin – London: 13,855 flights
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to London from Dublin is January. The most expensive is August.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Sunday.
Cheapest time: Dublin to London flights are approximately 38% more expensive at midday than in the afternoon.
Cheapest airline: Ryanair, Flybe, and Eurowings are the most popular carriers operating from Dublin to London.
Cheapest route: Fly from Dublin to London Luton for the best Dublin - London flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from Dublin to London is approximately 58 days before departure.
Cheapest month: The cheapest time of year to fly to Dublin from London is January. The most expensive is August.
Cheapest day: The cheapest day of the week is usually Tuesday. The most expensive is usually Friday.
Cheapest time: London to Dublin flights are approximately 23% more expensive in the afternoon than in the morning.
Cheapest airline: Ryanair, Iberia, and Flybe are the most popular carriers operating from London to Dublin.
Cheapest route: Fly from London Luton to Dublin for the best London - Dublin flight prices.
Cheapest time to book: The cheapest time to buy a flight from London to Dublin is approximately 54 days before departure.
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