Here’s the Best Time to Book Your Winter Vacation

If the thought of a long, cold Canadian winter fills you with dread, it’s time to start planning an escape. According to a 2023 DCI survey, 47 per cent of Canadians want to travel between January and March, so you’re not alone.

But many people wait until the last minute to book their travel. Sometimes, they have no other option. It could be because they had to wait to get their vacation time approved or just decided to go somewhere on a whim. That’s fine. But waiting until the last minute in the hopes of significant savings is a mistake.

“With today’s dynamic pricing models, there’s no such thing as a last-minute travel deal,” says Flight Centre’s Amra Durakovic. “If you wait until the very last second to book your trip, you’ll end up paying more.”

people playing on a beach — Getty Images

Book Early

Planning and booking your vacation early has many advantages. You’ll have access to more options, and you can lock in your savings early. If you’re using credit, you’ll have a couple of months to pay off your trip before you even take it. And the best part? You’ll have something to look forward to as you rake the yard and shovel the snow. Whether it’s a ski trip or a beach break, there’s nothing like a holiday to break up the long, dark winter days.

While you shouldn’t wait until the last minute, you also don’t have to book a year in advance to score a great deal. There are the optimal times to book, depending on your destination.

Domestic Travel

You should book at least two months in advance, which can save you up to 40 per cent on your travel costs. Sundays are good days to book, with fares up to 15 per cent lower. Online tools like Google Flights can give you an idea of what things cost on different dates and you can track specific itineraries to get alerts when the price changes.

International Travel

If you’re going abroad, even to the US, you should book around 90 days in advance. You can save up to 10 per cent, and Thursday is often the cheapest day to book.

Ways to Save

Package deals are a great way to save money, and if you’re short on time, you’ll be freed up from doing any planning once you arrive at your destination. The flights may be at odd times and quite packed, but all-inclusive holidays make a tropical escape easy and affordable.

Book accommodations outside of tourist districts or downtown areas. Just going a block or two can save you a ton. Another option is to rent a vacation home (Airbnb, VRBO) instead of staying in a hotel. If your accommodation includes a kitchen, you can save by not always eating out.

Being flexible helps save, too. Changing your dates by a day or two can save you a bundle on airfares and accommodations. Flights earlier in the day are generally cheaper, and you can save even more by not booking accommodations on weekends.