Do easyjet flights get cheaper closer to the travel date?

Many travellers wonder: do EasyJet flights get cheaper closer to the date, or is it better to book early? The short answer—most of the time, waiting will cost you more. EasyJet’s pricing strategy means fares usually start low and rise as seats sell, with last-minute bargains being rare. But there are some exceptions. In this guide, we’ll break down how EasyJet sets prices, when fares might drop, and the best booking strategies to save money.

Let’s break down how EasyJet prices its flights, whether it’s ever worth waiting for a last-minute fare drop, and the best strategies for getting the lowest price.

How EasyJet pricing works

Like most budget airlines, EasyJet uses dynamic pricing. This means that fares start low and rise as more seats are booked. Here’s how it typically plays out:

• Prices start at their lowest when EasyJet first releases flights (usually 10-12 months before departure).
• As bookings come in, fares gradually increase—the more seats sold, the higher the price.
• Prices can fluctuate daily, sometimes dropping slightly before climbing again.
• If demand is low, a fare might stay stable for weeks. If demand is high, the cheapest seats sell out quickly.
• Unlike some airlines, EasyJet does not regularly discount last-minute flights to fill empty seats.

An EasyJet spokesperson confirmed that fares “start low and rise as more seats on the aircraft are booked”. That’s why you’ll often see the cheapest tickets disappear weeks or months before departure, rather than at the last minute.

Do EasyJet flights ever get cheaper closer to departure?

In most cases, no—but there are a few exceptions.

• Early price fluctuations: EasyJet fares change about 70% of the time in the lead-up to departure, but by only 2-4% per day.
• The 5-week window: Around 5 weeks before departure, there’s still a small chance of a fare dip before prices start rising again.
• Last-minute drops? Very rare: EasyJet might lower prices slightly if a flight is seriously underbooked, but this is unpredictable. More often than not, fares increase as departure nears.

For popular routes (e.g., London to Barcelona in summer), waiting will almost always result in higher fares. The only cases where last-minute drops occur are low-demand flights—think midweek departures in winter or very early/late flights.

How does EasyJet compare to other budget airlines?

EasyJet’s pricing behavior differs from competitors like Ryanair:

• Ryanair fares stay the same 83% of the time, but when they do change, they often jump 20%+ overnight.
• EasyJet fares fluctuate more frequently but in smaller increments, making it harder to predict a sudden price drop.
• Ryanair rarely drops last-minute prices, but Wizz Air sometimes does—EasyJet sits somewhere in between.

The key takeaway? EasyJet fares tend to creep up gradually, rather than making sharp jumps. If you’re watching a fare, you might catch a small dip—but deep last-minute discounts are rare.

When is the best time to book EasyJet flights?

While no single rule applies to every route, historical data suggests the following:

• At flight release (usually 10-12 months before departure): This is often the cheapest time to book, particularly for peak-season travel.
• 4-8 weeks before departure: If you missed the initial release, this is the next best time to check for dips.
• 2-4 weeks before departure: By this point, fares are more likely to rise than fall.
• Last-minute (final week): Prices are usually at their highest, unless demand is very low.

For seasonal trips, the best time to book varies:

• Summer holidays: Prices are usually lowest 6+ months in advance.
• Christmas & New Year: Book early—fares almost never drop last minute.
• Spring & autumn shoulder seasons: More price movement; you might get a dip if demand is low.
• Low season (January & February): Occasionally, fares stay flat or even drop if demand is weak.

What factors influence EasyJet ticket prices?

Several factors impact EasyJet fares on any given route:

• Demand & booking rate: If a flight is filling up fast (e.g., a Friday evening departure to a holiday destination), prices will climb quickly. If demand is low, prices may hold steady longer.
• Peak vs. off-peak travel: Flights during school holidays, summer, and long weekends always rise faster than off-peak departures.
• Competition: If Ryanair, Jet2, or Wizz Air undercuts EasyJet on the same route, prices may adjust. However, EasyJet doesn’t always price-match competitors.
• Sales & promotions: EasyJet occasionally runs site-wide sales (e.g., 20% off flights for a limited time). If you’re flexible, waiting for a sale can be worthwhile.

Tips for getting the best EasyJet fares

To avoid overpaying, follow these money-saving strategies:

• 1. Book as early as possible. EasyJet’s model rewards early bookings—flights are cheapest when first released.
• 2. Use EasyJet’s Low Fare Finder. This tool shows the cheapest fares by date, making it easier to spot lower-cost options.
• 3. Be flexible with departure airports. London Luton might be cheaper than Gatwick, or Manchester might have better fares than Birmingham.
• 4. Set up Google Flights or Skyscanner alerts. These track price movements and notify you if fares drop.
• 5. Avoid peak travel days. Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually cheaper than a Friday or Sunday.
• 6. Consider alternative routes. If flights to your destination are expensive, check indirect routes (e.g., flying into a nearby city and taking a train).
• 7. Check for EasyJet sales. They don’t happen often, but when they do, they can knock a decent chunk off fares.
• 8. Use EasyJet’s price promise. If you book a Flexi fare and later see a lower price, you can claim a voucher for the difference.

Should you ever wait for a last-minute EasyJet deal?

Only in specific cases, such as:

• Flights to less popular destinations during low season.
• Very early or very late departures midweek.
• Routes where EasyJet has no real competition, meaning prices may stay stable.

For anything else—especially high-demand flights—waiting is almost always a losing bet.

Final thoughts

Waiting for a last-minute EasyJet bargain rarely pays off. Unlike some airlines, EasyJet fares do not typically get cheaper as departure nears. Instead, prices tend to rise steadily, especially for in-demand routes and peak-season travel.

The best strategy? Book early, track fares, and be flexible where possible. If you see a price you’re comfortable with, lock it in rather than hoping for an unlikely discount.

With a bit of planning, you can secure the best EasyJet fares without stress—and avoid the frustration of paying far more than necessary.

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