Travel experts at Wild Packs American Summer Camp are warning holidaymakers to avoid booking their holiday on these three July dates as prices are expected to skyrocket.
According to Expedia, booking a flight on July 22, 23, or 29 will incur the most expensive travel costs as these fall in the first few weeks of the summer holidays. Holiday prices for summer 2025 have already increased by 4.2% (£50pp), yet two-thirds (66%) of Brits are struggling to afford a holiday abroad.
Jamie Fraser, travel expert at Wild Packs American Summer Camp, has revealed why you should avoid these three dates and how you can save on summer travel.
“July marks the start of the school summer holidays, which is when demand for flights takes off. Parents with school-aged children are mostly limited to this short window, which makes it one of the busiest times to travel. Airlines know this and tend to bump up prices during these peak dates.
This not only hits your wallet, but can make the travel experience more stressful. With so many people flying at once, terminals are at max capacity, and you’re more likely to face long queues at each stage of the airport, causing more delays.
With the school summer holidays, you’re likely faced with limited choices when it comes to flight times, baggage options, and where you sit. It’s much harder to find convenient flight times, especially if you’ve booked late.”
How to Save When Flying in July
- Set up Flight Alerts: “Booking months in advance can sometimes save you money, but it’s not always that straightforward. For example, prices don’t always start low when flights are first released. Instead of guessing, it’s best to set up a price alert using a site like Skyscanner or Google Flights. You’ll get a notification when the fare drops, so you can grab a bargain when the timing’s right.”
- Fly Out on Saturday: “Flight prices vary depending on the day of the week. Friday and Sunday are usually the most expensive, while Tuesday tends to be the cheapest. If you’re planning a weekend away, flying out on Saturday and returning Monday means you will only miss one day off work, but you’re likely to pay much less compared to a Friday-to-Sunday trip.”
- Look at Other School Holidays: “Even if you’re tied to school holidays, it’s worth looking at when schools are off in other parts of the country. For instance, London schools might break up at a different time to those in the Midlands or the North, which could mean cheaper flights from a London airport if their term hasn’t finished yet.”
- Fly From a Smaller Airport: “Big airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester usually have the biggest price hikes during peak times. If you’re flexible, check flights from smaller or regional airports too, as the savings can be well worth it.”
