Planning a getaway involves numerous considerations once you’ve settled on your destination. You’ll need to decide on what time of year you want to start your holiday, the duration of your stay, and whether you fancy an all-inclusive resort experience or prefer exploring local culture independently.
However, one crucial factor you might have overlooked is the specific day of the week for your departure. Most travellers typically choose the beginning of the week when taking annual leave, or opt for weekend departures to maximise their time away.
According to one travel specialist, though, your chosen departure day could significantly impact your holiday costs – and weekend travel isn’t always the priciest option.
Holiday expert Rob, an insider at On The Beach, recently shared insights after analysing the company’s 2026 booking data to identify the most cost-effective travel days.
Whilst his research focused specifically on couples’ holidays for 2026, he emphasised that “it goes to show that picking the right date can save you a lot of money”.
Rob examined each day of the week, beginning with the most costly travel day – Wednesday.
He explained the reasoning behind this: “It’s probably because midweek flights are packed with business travellers, so that pushes the price up, especially on short-haul flights. So that’s your baseline, and one to avoid if you can.”
Following closely behind, offering merely a 1% saving compared to Wednesday, comes Tuesday, whilst Saturday claims the position as the third priciest day for travel.
Sunday sits precisely in the middle of the rankings, representing both the fourth cheapest and fourth most costly option.
Discussing Sunday travel, Rob explained: “Sunday gives you about a 5% saving versus Wednesday. Not to be sniffed at, 5% can be a big difference. Hotels love a Sunday check-in, [as there are] quieter lobbies and fewer crowds, and often, because of this, [there are] lower rates. Plus, you skip the weekend airport chaos.”
Monday secures third place amongst the most affordable travel days, with Rob noting that travellers “tend to hate the idea” of departing on a Monday due to psychological associations with returning to work.
Thursday claimed the runner-up spot, allowing holidaymakers to avoid weekend pandemonium, but securing the top position with an impressive 13% saving versus Wednesday travellers is Friday. Whilst Friday travel might appear costly given its popularity, Rob revealed this actually drives prices down due to increased availability.
He explained: “There are more flights. Airlines put on more leisure routes because there’s more demand, which means prices get driven down. It’s also the day most hotels want you to check in, meaning more package deals, more discounts, and overall better value.”
Rob concluded his video by asserting that his data is “foolproof” and booking a holiday on a Friday won’t always result in a cheaper deal, but it’s certainly worth considering if you’re planning a holiday for 2026.