Chasing Michelin Stars for Gourmet Food – This Is How to Book Flights the Most Economically!

The 2018 Taipei Michelin Guide is expected to be released next year, making Taiwanese foodies eager with anticipation. For those who can't wait for the culinary secrets to be unveiled, a global travel search engine has compiled the best times to book flights for a “Michelin Star-Chasing Journey,” allowing travelers to use the money saved on tickets to enjoy even more Michelin-recommended dishes.

When it comes to cities full of Michelin-starred dining, you certainly can’t miss France—the birthplace of the Michelin Guide—Japan, which boasts the most Michelin restaurants, Hong Kong, the Asian food capital with highly convenient flight access, and New York, a global epicenter of cuisine. To this end, the global travel search engine Skyscanner has specifically revealed the best and most economical times to book flights for foodies aiming to collect those stars.

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Speaking of the Michelin Guide, France, its birthplace, is a must-visit destination for many food connoisseurs. According to 2017 data, Paris has 10 restaurants rated with three stars, 16 with two stars, and as many as 80 with one star.

Analysis of the best booking times shows that November is a relatively inexpensive month to fly to Paris, with potential savings of around 9.6%.

However, travelers are advised to avoid July, the peak tourist season, when flight prices are higher, crowds are larger, and restaurant reservations may be harder to secure. If time allows, it’s best to visit during the off-season.

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Compared to its birthplace France, Japan actually has the highest number of Michelin restaurants. Taking Tokyo as an example, the 2017 Tokyo Michelin Guide listed 12 restaurants with three Michelin stars, 53 with two stars, and as many as 156 with one star. Kyoto also has 7 three-star restaurants, 25 with two stars, and 64 with one star. Osaka has 3 three-star restaurants, 20 with two stars, and 67 with one star.

According to data, in Tokyo, Japan, the cheapest month to fly is November, with potential savings of about 15.8%. It’s recommended to avoid February, during the Lunar New Year holiday, as it’s a peak travel period and flights tend to be more expensive.

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Hong Kong, famous for its cuisine, also has a high concentration of Michelin restaurants. According to the 2017 Hong Kong Michelin Guide, 8 restaurants earned three stars, 19 received two stars, and 53 were awarded one star.

Hong Kong also offers plenty of affordable street food. Budget-conscious travelers might want to do some online research in advance, plan their own gourmet map before departure, and sample all the dishes they’re interested in.

Data shows that flying to Hong Kong in November can save you about 9.5% on average ticket prices. Additionally, according to the latest statistics from UK aviation consultancy Routesonline, the route from Taipei (Taoyuan) to Hong Kong is the busiest in the world, with frequent flights. Travelers can choose a suitable time to depart, reaching Hong Kong in just about 2 hours—perfect for a short 3-day trip over a weekend.

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New York has long been one of the favorite U.S. cities among Taiwanese travelers and is also home to numerous Michelin restaurants. In 2017, the city had 6 three-star Michelin restaurants, 9 with two stars, and 59 with one star.

Data shows that February is a relatively inexpensive time to fly to New York, with average savings of about 14.2%. August, during the summer vacation peak season, sees higher flight prices, so those planning to go are advised to avoid traveling that month.

Finally, travelers are reminded to check the latest restaurant information online. Many restaurants allow advance reservations via their websites, so it’s wise to book early to avoid missing out. Before departure, you can also confirm your reservation by phone or email to tailor your own Michelin-starred gourmet journey.