Travelling to the UK is on everyone’s wish list for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The energetic and impressive atmosphere in London, the numerous cultural spots, and the unique countryside could lure anyone to take a vacation and spend at least a few days in the UK. 

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However, because the UK is a highly visited country and has become too touristy, traveling to the UK can be difficult, especially when it comes to flying. Unfortunately, recent economic problems led to staff shortages and a lack of investment, which caused chaos in the UK’s airports. 

But if you ardently want to fly to the UK and experience the English lifestyle, here are some useful tips concerning the best time to book flights, prices, and other amenities. 

The best time of day for a flight 

Want to avoid traffic and agitation and maybe get cheaper tickets? Then, you must plan your flight to be as early in the morning as possible. This is especially beneficial for short distances since you’ve got the whole day ahead, and there are fewer chances for delay. We know not everyone is a morning person, so it can be difficult, but it’ll be worth it. 

Having the first or one of the first flights in a day spares you from security queues or traffic, regardless of the airport. For instance, if you’re looking for Luton airport parking early in the morning, you won’t have any troubles since the lot might be empty. 

Still, a mid-morning flight is just as good if you want more rest, especially if you plan to arrive around lunchtime. However, the best time to fly for cheap tickets is in the evening, so you’ve got an option for different needs. 

Avoid Fridays 

UK airports are known for congestion, especially on Fridays, so it’s best to travel any day of the week. Car parking is also hectic, even if you can reserve a spot on Parkos early before the flight. 

Flying on Fridays is challenging, especially around the holidays, when everyone’s either going back home or on vacation. This is the best time for taking some days off. Birmingham and Manchester airports are some of the busiest in the UK, so maybe try London Stansted for less buzzing. 

Tuesday is considered to be the cheapest day for a flight, but Sundays are both affordable and free of people. It’s important to be flexible, however, so plan the vacation so that the flight is less than agonising. 

How early should you book the flight?

Some consider booking the flight as early as possible best, even if that means searching for a flight one year before the actual vacation. You may be surprised that this is actually true, especially when you’re traveling to highly touristic places in the midst of a busy season. 

Usually, if you want to travel to the UK in May, you can book the flight approximately four months before the trip for the best price since the season is not that special. However, traveling to the UK in August or December is more difficult, especially when the number of visitors can reach up to 38 million. 

There’s no wonder that London and Edinburgh are popular, but if you want to visit these famous spots during the holidays, prepare for at least six months up to a year before booking the flight when prices are reasonable, and you’re assured of a spot. 

Take the time to compare fares 

While there are many aspects of flying to the UK you may want to consider, the tourism industry changes relatively fast, so forecasting trends and prices can be challenging. That’s why it’s advisable to make time for research in regard to fee comparisons on different websites to see which offers the best prices for you. 

It would also be great to be flexible in terms of dates because you can check the upcoming weather and avoid traveling during snowstorms and other weather conditions that could lead to delays and other problems. Considering the recent weather in the UK for the past year, expect the wintry conditions and rainy seasons to intensify by the year. 

Sometimes, choosing a pricier ticket that will ensure safe travel is better than a cheap one that will take you through flight tensions and cancellations. From 2023 until 2024, more than 2.4 million customers experienced canceled flights due to airport strikes and IT outages. Some of the most disrupted routes included flights from Manchester International Airport to Menorca Airport, Scotland’s Sumburgh to Aberdeen’s Dyce, and Birmingham International Airport to Paphos International Airport. 

Loyalty programs and discounts 

If you plan on flying in the next few months but want to make the most of ticket prices, it would be best to seek loyalty programs and discounts from airline companies. Usually, if you make an account on their websites and subscribe to their newsletters, you’ll be offered various travel offers to certain places or during a specific time frame. 

Of course, this means having a full inbox of messages that might not interest you, but this is the best way to fly cheaper. Bonus points if you travel a lot because you can gather loyalty points you can use later when buying tickets. 

Airlines value customer loyalty, like any other business, and you can take advantage of that by using all their programs for maximum cost leverage. At the same time, you can get more familiar with what periods are best for traveling to the UK and book flights easier. 

When is your next vacation to the UK? 

The UK has one of the most beautiful tourist spots, and visiting London is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Still, flying can be challenging due to the latest extreme weather, increased ticket prices, and numerous delays and cancellations. Therefore, you must take your time to research the best routes and days to find cheaper tickets. Consider the time of the day as well as the day of the week because midday flights on Fridays tend to be the most expensive and agitated at airports.