With the May Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching, families across the UK are still hoping to secure a last-minute trip that won’t break the bank. Many will assume it is now too late to get affordable travel deals, but that is not the case.

Ticket experts at AttractionTickets.com have analysed pricing data and industry travel trends to reveal the exact date and time Brits should book their last-minute getaways for the best possible price. According to their CEO, Oliver Brendon, the key to finding affordable fares at this late stage lies in booking strategically. "It’s a common misconception that booking earlier always guarantees the best prices," said Mr Brendon. "The reality is that airlines regularly adjust their fares based on demand, and savvy travellers can benefit from these fluctuations even just a week ahead of departure. This means there’s still time to save on last-minute travel this May Bank Holiday, especially if you know when to book."

According to the ticket experts, the best day to book for the May Bank Holiday is Sunday May 18th or Sunday May 25th. The best time to book is around 6am - so be sure to set your alarm to ensure you grab the best possible deal.

They also recommend avoiding booking on Fridays, when prices tend to spike due to increased demand and business travel.

"Our analysis of historical pricing patterns, alongside industry travel reports, shows that Sunday remains the most cost-effective day of the week to book trips," added Mr Brendon.

"Airlines typically release discounted fares and adjust inventory over the weekend, and we know from travel data that booking on a Sunday can save travellers up to 23% compared to booking on a Friday.

"We’ve also seen consistent trends that early morning is the best time to snap up low fares. Flights booked around 6am tend to be significantly cheaper than those booked later in the day. This is often when airlines drop fresh fares and adjust pricing algorithms before the day’s search traffic begins.

"If you’re still looking to book a bank holiday trip, we recommend getting online early on the morning of Sunday 18th May, or Sunday 25th May if you’re feeling particularly risky. These dates fall just a week before the long weekend, giving families just enough time to prepare while still capitalising on some of the best available pricing.”

AttractionTickets.com drew on expert insights and data-driven research from travel and ticketing platforms, with a focus on last-minute booking trends.

The experts incorporated travel insights from Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report and Jetcost’s fare analysis. These insights were used alongside internal analysis to determine optimal booking dates. The date suggested is an estimate based on expertise and data.

AttractionTickets.com is Europe’s largest theme park specialist, selling over one million tickets and 100,000 onsite hotel rooms each year.