Timing is everything when it comes to scoring the cheapest prices for flights and hotels in 2017, according to new analysis by travel search engine KAYAK.co.uk. By analysing data based on millions of searches, KAYAK has found that with a little planning, travellers can save huge amounts of money.

Booking and travelling to Brits favourite European and international destinations
The research has found that Brits can save up to 80% on flights to Europe and internationally by booking their airfares at the right time.

The best prices for mid-haul flights can generally be found just one or two months in advance. The biggest savings can be made when flying to the popular destination of Faro in Portugal, where flights are 80% cheaper when booked one month in advance compared to the worst time to book.

And similar savings can be made for other key destinations. Flights to Mallorca can be 75% cheaper when booked two months in advance compared to the worst time and flights to Tenerife and Rome, are 66% and 61% cheaper respectively when booked one month in advance. However, more forward planning is required for certain destinations to get the best deals. When it comes to the increasingly popular destination of Reykjavik for example, five months in advance is the best time to book, which offers savings of up to 61% with an average price of £69.

To get the best savings on flights to the most popular long-haul destinations, the best deals can also be found by waiting until nearer to the departure date. The research  found booking two to four months in advance of the departure date secures the best deals on the majority of destinations in the top 10.

For certain popular international locations huge savings can be made if Brits are prepared to wait until two months before departure to book. Orlando can be as much as 41% cheaper, for Los Angeles travellers can save up to 40% and for Bali the savings can go up to 45%.

Again, there are some exceptions. Holidaymakers aiming to visit New Zealand can secure the best price if they book a trip to Auckland seven months in advance, resulting in savings of up to 58%, when compared to the most expensive booking time.

Weekdays trump weekends as the best days to travel
The analysis of the best days of the week on which to travel answers the ‘when to fly’ question, showing that with a bit of flexibility and the right itinerary, the best flight prices can be secured. On all routes, both long and short, flying out in the middle of the week is the cheapest option. The best departure and return days generally fluctuate between Tuesday and Thursday.

Huge savings can be made – for example, flights to Mallorca departing on a Tuesday with return on Tuesday, can be up to 75% cheaper than those booked to depart on a Saturday with return on Wednesday. It is a similar story for Rome, where the savings are up to 72% for departure on Tuesday, returning Thursday compared to departing and returning on a Saturdays.