As summer approaches, many of us will be planning a getaway to make the most of the good weather from the likes of one of Europe’s best beaches, or perhaps lounge by a pool with a swim up bar. Getting the most out of a holiday without having to go over budget is also an added bonus, and even if you’re planning to travel during the busier summer months, there are some ways of avoiding excessive prices. 

Making sure you’re prepared ahead of getting to the airport is always guaranteed to save you some money, especially in destinations where food can be extortionately priced, or you find yourself having to buy an adapter because you forgot to pack one. Avoiding destinations that are tourist hotspots where prices for hotels and restaurants are often driven up, which can also help you stretch your budget further, with transport often being more expensive in areas where there’s a lot of demand too. Some destinations are cheaper than others, but if you’ve got your eyes set on your next holiday and don’t want to compromise on location, you might want to consider the time of year you go away instead.

KAYAK’s new Summer Savings Report has revealed the best time to fly to bag a bargain overseas trip and avoid the crowds. Summer is a particularly busy time of year, especially with schools breaking up for the holidays, meaning more people are travelling.

But it’s also an ideal time of year to get away, especially if you want some sunshine. While the report doesn’t suggest avoiding going away at this time of year altogether, there are two months that you might want to book your holiday during if you’re looking to make some savings.  

Based on the travel website’s findings, June and September are the best months to fly without breaking the bank. Narrowly missing the school holiday surge, they still guarantee a sunny getaway. 

The report found that the price for an international return flight from the UK was £791 in late July, compared to just £491 in mid-June, and £233 in September, £558 cheaper than July’s peak prices.

They also revealed that the busiest days to fly are the 18 and 19 of July, while domestic flight prices drop to an average of £94 in early June and £92 by mid-September. 

Rachel Mumford, Travel expert at KAYAK, said: “Winter’s chill is fading, and wanderlust is heating up, and the great news is that so many sought-after destinations are seeing drops in prices this summer.

The travel search engine also has a handy tool, which means travellers can search for holidays that save on costs and avoid crowds, using the Best Time to Travel extension to help find the best deals.