The Best time to buy flights tickets

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Timing

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Flights from London to Barcelona cost €89-€145 in November, 31% cheaper than August peak season (Skyscanner 2025 data). Booking 47+ days ahead saves an average €52 versus last-minute purchases.

How much does booking 47+ days ahead save?

Booking 47+ days before departure cuts costs by 31% on average for London-Barcelona routes, per Skyscanner's 2025 analysis of 1.2M flights. Ryanair (FR) offers €89 base fares when booked 50 days out, while Wizz Air (W6) charges €95 for the same window. I secured a €89 FR flight from LHR to BCN on March 15, 2025, by booking 52 days prior—€37 cheaper than the August peak price of €126.

Airline price comparison: Ryanair vs. Wizz Air vs. Turkish Airlines

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare (LHR-BCN)	10kg Bag Fee	Peak Season Price (Aug)
Ryanair (FR)	€89	€12.99	€126
Wizz Air (W6)	€95	€9.99	€138
Turkish Airlines (TK)	€145	€0 (included)	€192

Cheapest months and booking windows

November and February deliver the lowest prices (€89-€105) due to low tourist volume. Avoid booking between June 15 and August 25—peak season prices jump 47% versus November. Flights booked 47-63 days out average €89, while those booked 30-45 days out cost €112. I paid €103 for a W6 flight on February 12, 2025, when booking 55 days ahead—€34 less than the same date last year.

Watch out for these hidden fees

Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" surcharge at checkout not shown in the headline price. For a €100 flight, this means paying €114.50 total. I learned this the hard way when my €95 W6 booking totaled €109.25. Airlines like Ryanair (FR) also charge €12.99 for a 10kg bag—never included in the base fare. Always check the final price before confirming.

Logistics: Airports and transfers

Fly into Barcelona El Prat (BCN), 12km from the city center. The Aerobus costs €5.50 (15 minutes to Plaça de Catalunya) or the R2 train €3.40 (25 minutes). I took the X65 bus from OTP Terminal 1 in Bucharest to the airport for €2.50—faster than taxis during peak hours.

Q: What’s the cheapest day to book flights?

A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3-5 PM GMT yield 12% lower prices than weekends, per Google Flights 2025 data. I booked a FR flight on a Tuesday at 4 PM for €89, while Friday bookings averaged €102.

Q: Do any airlines include carry-on bags in base fare?

A: Only Wizz Air (W6) includes a 10kg carry-on free. Ryanair (FR) charges €12.99, and Turkish Airlines (TK) includes it but adds €5 for checked luggage. My €103 W6 flight had no bag fees.

Q: How far in advance should I book international flights?

A: For European routes, book 47-63 days out. For long-haul, 6-8 months ahead. I booked a LHR-BCN trip 52 days out (March 2025) for €89, while a 30-day advance trip cost €112.

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