Is it time to take a well-deserved break? Photo / 123rf
In geographically isolated New Zealand, the price pinch on airfares can be felt acutely – especially in the post-Covid era. The Herald spoke to travel industry experts to find out the cheapest times to book a deserving break in 2026, including tips and tricks.
Whether you’re travelling near or far, travel experts will tell you the same thing: get in fast and don’t do it when everyone else is.
“The best tip we can give if you want to book cheaper travel is to book early,” says Dave Fordyce, chief operating officer of House of Travel.
“In the last quarter of 2025, most of our Pacific Island bookings were made for winter, and some of the most popular resorts were already sold out for the July 2026 school holidays.”
Heidi Walker, general manager of Flight Centre, adds that travellers should fly off-peak if possible.
“Steering clear of peak travel windows like school holidays, July, and mid-December to January is the best way to secure sharper fares,” says Walker.
“From an airfare perspective, the cheapest time to travel is generally outside those windows. Travelling mid-week – typically Tuesday to Thursday – helps avoid the weekend surcharges, as well as saving on accommodation costs.”
If you can only travel during peak times, Walker suggests booking as far in advance as possible, as both flights and resorts quickly run out of capacity. She noted flights are usually available just under a year out.
“Talk to your travel expert about available deals and packages, as well as bonus inclusions like transfers or breakfast. Booking early when sales are live could be the best thing you do for your getaway,” says Walker.
The same rule applies to accommodation – don’t leave booking hotel rooms to the last minute. Booking.com’s area manager for New Zealand, Melissa Ellison, says: “As a general rule, booking accommodation two to three months before your trip gives you the best rates and availability, or even four to five months ahead if you’re looking at busy destinations like Queenstown, Rotorua, Bali, or Rarotonga.”
Go when it’s cold is the message. “Australia often sees lower airfares in winter,” says Walker.
Fordyce agrees. “Australian cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, are cheapest over the winter months from June to September,” he says.
According to Fordyce, Queensland offers the best value for school holidays when compared to other holiday hotspots. “But it’s still considered peak period and prices reflect that,” he says.
“Our tip for the July school holiday period is to book your trip to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in the second week of the holidays when Queensland and Victoria students are back at school.
“April school holidays are typically cheaper for those wanting a Tropical North Queensland and Whitsundays break, with the weather transitioning from the wet season to dry season. You can expect temperatures to be warm and more humid, but the rainforest is sensational during this time, and it’s the best time for sailing and exploring the reef.”
For winter lovers, the July break offers great opportunities for a getaway, says Ellison. “Whether that’s skiing in Queenstown or a warm escape to Fiji,” she says.
“The September-October holidays are ideal for Pacific travel, with lower humidity and competitive off-peak pricing before the Christmas rush.”
If looking at the Pacific Islands over the school holidays, Vanuatu and New Caledonia could be good options.
“Vanuatu is one of the more affordable Pacific Island holiday options, and New Caledonia is great for families, with a good variety of apartment and suite style accommodation on offer,” says Fordyce.
“Both destinations had challenges in 2024 [earthquakes and riots] and have been in recovery mode in 2025, but they’re ready and welcoming visitors now. We’re starting to see some competitive deals from resorts in both destinations.”
“We recommend that if you are looking for a great deal, book your cruise early,“ House of Travel states on its website.
“Some cruise lines offer great incentives for early booking travellers. There could be things like complimentary room category upgrades, bonuses and discounted prices.
Bear in mind that cruise pricing reflects supply and demand, House of Travel noted.
“The more demand there is for a particular cruise, the higher the price will be. Demand could be determined by factors such as the destination, seasons & duration of the cruise holiday.”
Kate Rawnsley, from Orbit World Travel, says flexibility and booking in advance will be key for business travellers looking to stretch their budgets in 2026.
“Airfares are dynamic, so plan early and book as far out as possible,” she suggests. “If you can be flexible on your travel dates and times and think strategically about how you travel, those small decisions can add up to big savings.
“Typically, Tuesday and Thursday flights are cheaper than Mondays or Fridays, and avoiding peak periods such as weekends, school holidays, or when major events like Fieldays in Hamilton or a Coldplay concert in Tāmaki Makaurau are on can save you even more.”
Rawnsley adds that while professionals are back travelling since the years of Covid lockdowns and meetings via Zoom, there is a focus on ROI and ways to make trips cost-effective.
“Multi-day business trips, where travellers combine multiple meetings, sometimes across several destinations, have become a popular way to maximise value and productivity,” says Rawnsley.
“Many are also adding a few extra nights to their business trips to enjoy the destination which is a trend known as ‘bleisure’.”