These are the best budget-friendly months to book… (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

By the second week of dark and dreary January, most of us are itching to get exciting plans in for the rest of the year – including firming up our 2024 holidays.

Whether you’re planning a staycation or heading further afield, new data from Airbnb reveals the cheapest months of the year to book your trip away.

So, if you’re currently in the planning stages of your next getaway, listen up.

On the whole, it seems the first few months of the year are the best. According to the platform, March is the cheapest time to make a booking – with January and February the best months for the stay to happen, based on the average price per night for all getaway lengths.

Get booking now (Picture: AIrbnb)

However, if you feel like you’ve missed the boat on these months this year, fear not.

September and early October tend to see a wide range of options at affordable prices.

Also, it seems budget-friendly stays (AKA, Brits spending £100 or less per night) rise in popularity during the first half of the year.

Plus, with our bank accounts looking a little sad following Christmas, Airbnb has also suggested three top tips for finding the best deals on the platform.

The first is trying out the ‘new’ category, which highlights homes added within the past 10 weeks. This is because when hosts join Airbnb, they often set an ‘attractive price’ to spotlight their newly-listed properties.

Also pay attention to ‘special offers’ on the platform where hosts can proactively provide discounts to guests based on when you choose to book. Some may even offer lower prices to guests who book at the last minute or further in advance. 

If you’re happy to rent a private room, rather than an entire place, this is another way to save money.