The 5am flight vs the red-eye debate - which actually saves more?

I started trying to save cash on flights last year and found two camps online. The early birds swear by 5am departures because you avoid surge pricing on tickets and can nap on the plane. But I tested both on a trip to Denver in February - the 5am flight cost $89 but I spent $35 on coffee and breakfast bars at the airport to stay awake. The red-eye was $78 but I crashed at a buddy's place instead of paying for a hostel that night. So which strategy has actually worked better for you guys - the early riser or the night owl route? I'm trying to plan a trip to Austin in June and want to know what really saves.

2 comments

2 Comments

knight.oscar2d ago

Austin in June? 5am all the way. I've done the LA to Austin red-eye twice and both times I landed looking like a zombie and blew $25 on a greasy breakfast taco just to function. Plus the sun hits your face on that early flight home and you feel like death. But for Denver in the winter, red-eye saved me because I didn't have to fight snow delays. Pick your route based on the season, not just the ticket price.

morgan.joseph1d ago

$25 for a breakfast taco? Dude were you eating it off a gold plate or something, that's insane.