Midweek can save money, but it does not always. Test your own dates by asking for the price of each night and each flight, and compare the totals for two. A rule of thumb is not a quote.
This question sits in our budget topic, and it matters most when your leave is short.
Why might midweek cost less?
Some hotels and airlines price by demand. When more people travel on Fridays and Saturdays, a rate for those nights may be higher, and a Tuesday night may be lower.
Other places do not follow that pattern. Their price depends on the school calendar, an event or the season. So the saving is possible, not certain.
Which days should we compare?
Fill a grid like this with real quotes for your dates. Leave a cell blank until you have an actual figure.
| Pattern | Hotel (per night) | Flight (for two) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday to Monday | Check weekend rates | ||
| Sunday to Wednesday | Quieter pools, fewer queues | ||
| Monday to Thursday | Check activity days | ||
| Over a public holiday | Can be dearer, and busier |
How do we get night-by-night prices?
Ask the hotel for the rate for each night of both date ranges, with taxes and fees. Use the same room type for each. Most booking calendars show a rate for every night, so a few minutes with the date picker is enough.
Do the same for flights by comparing the same route on different days. The day with the lowest flight fare is not always the day with the lowest hotel rate, so look at them together.
What does a midweek trip change besides price?
It changes the feel. Pools and restaurants are quieter, so the trip can feel more private. That suits a couple who just came out of a busy wedding week.
Some operators run activities and cruises on fixed days, and some restaurants close on a certain day. Check your must-do list against the calendar. Our guide on flight times for a weekend honeymoon covers the other side.
How does leave fit in?
If you have only a few days, a midweek window may use your leave more carefully. You can also join leave to a public holiday and keep the cost down by travelling around it, not through it. See stretching your honeymoon with public holidays.
Package deals sometimes have dates when the offer does not apply. Read package blackout dates before you choose a window.
What should we do next?
- Pick two date ranges, one midweek and one over a weekend.
- Ask for night-by-night hotel prices and compare flights on the same days.
- Fill the grid, then compare the totals for two.
- Check your leave with the usable holiday days calculator, or send us the two ranges and we will compare them with the hotel and airline.