When to book an internal (UK) flight?

[SurreyGuy]

I'm travelling up to Newcastle in the summer and (obviously) want to get as cheap a flight as possible.

Am I best booking a flight now or should I wait till nearer the time? If the latter is the better option, how soon before I travel should I book the flight?

My luck is such that if it CAN go wrong, it WILL go wrong, so I don't want to leave too much to chance!

[VHG]

As a general rule most airlines will put UP the price the nearer it gets to the date of the flight.

They do this because if you are booking up a flight a week or so before the date then you must be desperate to take that flight, so can charge you more.

The budget airlines work on a principle of first 10 seats say �20, next 10 seats �30, next 10 seats �40 and so on. So the earlier you book the less you are likely to pay.

Of course if a plane is empty near the date they may offer seats at a low price to fill it, but can you afford to risk that.

My advice is book as early as you can.

[spudqueen]

It is generally cheaper to book flights as early as possible as these days airlines tend to offer seats on a variety of prices, the cheaper ones obviously are sold out first. As an example in November last year I booked seats on a flight from Manchester to Paris for just �6.80, when a friend looked a couple of days later seats on the same flight were �68.

[theshedman]

Hi, as the others have said it is always best to book early. Don't forget though that these budget airlines always have add ons, so even though ticket price is low the cost of other things can add up. Always check everything twice before booking. My wife got tickets from Devon to Leeds 1p each way but after airport tax and add ons the final price was nearer �80, still cheaper than driving there though. Good luck.

[mushroom25]

Using random dates in July (27-31 July), Flybe advertise flights to/from LGW at �5.04 each way - with taxes, etc added on, this equates to �60-ish, assuming you don't check any bags. For the same dates, easyjet have flights from STN at �20-�23 each way (including taxes), again without bags. BA will do you flights from LHR at �38 each way, including bags.
Yes I know you said "flights" - the cheapest train fare London-Newcastle (booked 2-3m ahead) is �14 each way, with seats available on some very respectably timed services.

[SurreyGuy]

Cheers for those answers, everyone.

mushroom25 - I hadn't thought of doing the entire journey by train. Thanks for that suggestion - I'll look into it.

[SurreyGuy]

mushroom25 - can you please tell me which site you looked on?

I've looked on the South West Trains one and the cheapest journey I can find between Guildford and Newcastle in three months time is �116!

[mushroom25]

I didn't know where you lived, so the fare I quoted (from National Express EC) was to & from King's Cross. Obviously you'd have the fare to/from Guildeford to find; but equally, you'll need to pay for some means to reach Gatwick or Stansted (either train fare or petrol/car parking) on top of the air fare.

[SurreyGuy]

It isn't gonna cost me �102 to get to King's Cross! :o)

I thought National Express was a coach company and not a train company?