Simple change could save you money when booking holiday

Scottish travellers could save money and have more to spend abroad

If your summer getaway is still up in the air, there’s good news: there’s still a window to lock in some savings before you take off.

Advice from Which? suggests that timing could make a real difference to your travel costs. The consumer group advises that, if you’re planning to fly, choosing the right departure day is key.

Specifically, it is recommending travellers opt for a Saturday departure instead of the typical Friday option. The reason is that Friday is often on the more expensive side.

It explained: “Google Flights and Skyscanner will show you a graph of the cheapest days to fly during your chosen month. Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive; Tuesdays are typically the cheapest.

“Of course, Tuesdays aren’t convenient for many people, but you will probably save money on a weekend break if you fly out on a Saturday and come back on a Monday rather than going Friday to Sunday. You miss the same amount of time at work but save a fortune.”

Another tip to save some cash urges parents to “check school holiday dates and consider a different airport”.

It also highlights how school holiday schedules can vary widely depending on where you are in the country. London and the South East, for example, are often out of sync with the Midlands and northern England during half-term breaks.

Price differences between regions can mean cheaper travel if you’re open to leaving from or passing through another place, even if the trip takes longer.

The same applies in the summer, with school holiday dates differing between England and Scotland. This is another factor that can influence prices for those prepared to plan strategically.

With this in mind, it suggests: “It’s worth checking inset (teacher training) days at your children’s school. These are often on a Friday or Monday, tagged onto a school holiday, and it will usually be cheaper to fly out on one of these days.”

Scottish school term dates 2026

There are many councils throughout Scotland. To find yours and check holiday dates, you can check this information online through mygov.scot here.

Are you flying from Glasgow Airport?

If you are set to fly from Glasgow Airport, for example, people are being urged to check in online as soon as they can. You should also print your boarding pass before you go to the airport, it says.

If you’re travelling with just hand luggage, you can head straight through security and on to the duty-free area without stopping at check-in. Those with hold baggage, however, will need to go via the check-in desk first to drop off their bags before proceeding through the airport.

Glasgow Airport reminds passengers: “Even if your flight has a delay, you must still arrive at the airport and check-in at the original allocated time; unless your airline has contacted you directly stating otherwise.”