With the August bank holiday coming up, many Brits are still holding out hope for an affordable last-minute summer holiday. Finding a destination that won’t break the bank in the midst of August can seem challenging, especially when looking at the most sought-after hotspots.

The window to snap up a travel deal is rapidly closing – but fortunately it's not gone just yet. If you know when to book, it’s still possible to lock in a decent bargain. That’s where timing, not just destination, becomes the key to saving.

According to data from AttractionTickets.com, there’s a booking pattern that could make all the difference – and it’s defined right down to the day and even the hour.

“It’s easy to assume the early bird always gets the deal,” explained Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com.

“In reality, travel companies adjust fares repeatedly based on demand, and we see opportunities appear even in the final days before departure.

“There’s still time to save on last-minute August bank holiday travel if you know when to book.”

By analysing historic pricing data and industry behaviour, the tourism company found that Sundays consistently present the lowest average prices for bookings.

“Airlines adjust seat availability and prices over the weekend, and travellers who book on a Sunday can often expect to pay significantly less than those booking on a Friday,” Oliver added.

It’s not just about the day of the week either, as early birds really do seem to catch the worm – just in a different way than expected.

The specialist explained: “We also see a clear early morning advantage. Around 6:00am is when fresh fares frequently appear, before the day’s search traffic ramps up.”

Also, try to avoid Fridays, as the expert warns that prices typically spike due to a rush in demand.