You know the expression, “The early bird gets the worm.”?
That goes double for travel deals.

Booking your trips as much as 6 to 8 months in advance can score you the best deals at the best locations around the world. Airlines, hotels, and tour operators like to pad their books with early bird reservations. That gives “Early Birds” a distinct price advantage over folks that wait until the last minute.

Most locations have a travel season. Start looking into travel and accommodations about 8 months prior to the peak of the travel season. Better yet, give your travel agent a call and let them do the legwork for you. They’re usually more in-tune with the best deals out there and when/where to make a deal. An agent can also help you tailor your vacation to meet specific interests. They can tell you when the local wine festivals are happening or score you a ticket to a special show. They can even give you advice on where to go and what to do while you’re there.

If you’re serious about checking off those bucket list destinations this year, don’t wait around. Start planning now so you can save big down the road. Organizing your travel several months ahead will often translate to a bigger bang for your buck down the line. Most “Early Bird Specials” are offered six months prior to the peak travel season. Look for travel specials and package deals to find your best overall savings.

Booking early also gives you more time to spread out the cost of your travels. Most travel companies will allow you put a deposit down and pay the balance as your trip approaches. This way, you can book that trip of a lifetime without having to pay for it all at once.

Remember:
It’s not always bad to be late but it pays to be early.