We reveal the top last-minute getaways for Singaporeans and the best times to book them
Is the year’s very first long weekend stoking the flames of wanderlust within you? Don’t dive into an impromptu vacation just yet! Spontaneous trips can have its perks, but what if just a little planning could save you up to 150 per cent on flight tickets?
Travel search engine Skyscanner has released the 10 most-searched last-minute holiday destinations from Singapore, together with the window when you can get the greatest percentage of savings* on flight tickets.
Here is the full list of the top 10 last-minute destinations from Singapore, ordered according to highest amount in savings*:
| Destination | % Savings* | Best Time To Book
(for last-minute travel) |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Up to 151% cheaper | 1 week before |
| Seoul, South Korea | Up to 80% cheaper | 2 weeks before |
| Bangkok, Thailand | Up to 59% cheaper | 2 weeks before |
| Hong Kong | Up to 57% cheaper | 5 weeks before |
| Penang, Malaysia | Up to 55% cheaper | 3 weeks before |
| Shanghai, China | Up to 52% cheaper | 4 weeks before |
| Bali, Indonesia | Up to 49% cheaper | 2 weeks before |
| Tokyo, Japan | Up to 47% cheaper | 3 weeks before |
| Taipei, Taiwan | Up to 33% cheaper | 1 week before |
| Manila, Philippines | Up to 25% cheaper | 4 weeks before |
* Percentage savings are calculated based on average booking prices during Lunar New Year in 2015.
For the meticulous planner
If planning way ahead is more your cup of tea, we totally get it. After all, the earlier you book, the more savings you can potentially get.
That’s why we’re also revealing what else Skyscanner has found: the best time to book flights for the top 10 most-searched destinations by travellers in Singapore.
Following an analysis of three years’ worth of data, the results reveal that the best time for Singapore travellers to attack and enjoy the cheapest fares is, on average, five months in advance.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the cheapest and most expensive periods to travel:
- Cheapest time to travel: Fourth week of February
- Cheapest month to travel: September
- Most expensive time to travel: Second week of February
- Most expensive month to travel: December
Skyscanner’s data also uncovered the cheapest month to travel to these top 10 destinations*:
| Destination | Weeks in advance | Savings | Cheapest month to travel |
| Australia | 17 | 15.4% | May |
| Hong Kong | 20 | 12.3% | Jan |
| Indonesia | 18 | 10.4% | Jan |
| Malaysia | 1 | 7.5% | Nov |
| Philippines | 4 | 5.4% | Sep |
| South Korea | 19 | 9.3% | May |
| Taiwan | 20 | 12.2% | Jul |
| Thailand | 14 | 9.2% | Sep |
| United Kingdom | 19 | 11.0% | Mar |
| Vietnam | 19 | 12.3% | Oct |
*Listed alphabetically, not ranked in any particular order.
By Pamela Chow
For more findings by Skyscanner, click here.
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