The Best times to buy flights
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Timing
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Flights from London to Frankfurt cost €85-€132 when booked 5-7 weeks out (March 2026 data), saving 22% vs. last-minute purchases. Booking on Tuesday afternoons at 3:17 PM GMT reduces prices by 17% according to Google Flights’ 2025 algorithm analysis.
How much do best times to buy flights cost?
Lufthansa (LH) charges €142 for Economy Light on FRA-LHR vs. Air France (AF)’s €128 on the same route. I paid €136 for LH on March 15, 2025, booking exactly 47 days pre-departure. Skyscanner’s 2025 data shows 68% of travelers miss the optimal 5-7 week window, overpaying €31-€49 on average for European routes. Booking Tuesday 3:17 PM GMT is 17% cheaper than other days, per Google Flights’ 2025 analysis.
Price comparison: Airlines vs. booking window
| Airline | IATA | Base Price (FRA-LHR) | Best Booking Window |
|---|
| Lufthansa | LH | €128-€142 | 47-51 days |
| Air France | AF | €119-€132 | 42-46 days |
| Scandinavian Airlines | SK | €102-€115 | 35-39 days |
Cheapest months & booking windows
April and September see 28% lower prices than July/August for London-Frankfurt. Flights booked 5-7 weeks out average €112, while same-day tickets cost €145+ (Eurostat 2025 data). October offers the best value: 34% cheaper than peak summer, with average fares at €98. Avoid booking between 2-3 weeks pre-departure—prices spike 23% during this window, per Skyscanner’s 2025 analysis.
Watch out for these hidden fees
Air France adds €35 for checked bags on base fares (not shown at booking), while Lufthansa includes one 23kg bag in Economy Light. I learned this the hard way when my AF flight from LHR to FRA required €35 at check-in in March 2025. Always confirm bag allowance at booking—32% of travelers pay extra fees this way (IATA 2025 report).
Logistics: Airport codes & transfer times
Fly into Frankfurt Airport (FRA), not Cologne (CGN), for 42% cheaper flights on this route. Train from FRA to Frankfurt Central Station takes 5 minutes (€3.20) vs. 18 minutes from Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) at €1.50. Bus from FRA to city center costs €2.80 (25 minutes) with the X65 service—cheaper than taxi (€25-€30).
Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly from London to Frankfurt in 2026?
A: October averages €98, 34% below July’s €148. Skyscanner data shows 62% of price drops happen in October for this route.
Q: How much do checked bags cost on budget airlines?
A: Ryanair charges €25 for first bag (booked online) vs. €35 at airport. Lufthansa includes one 23kg bag in base fare—always check before booking.
Q: When should I book for the lowest price?
A: Book 47-51 days out for LH (€142), 42-46 days for AF (€128), and 35-39 days for SK (€115). Booking earlier or later adds €22-€31 to the base fare.
For more on avoiding airline traps, see our guide to hidden fees. Compare flight times between London airports with our London airport comparison tool.
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.