Take 3 days off to get 11 days off! The 2018 leave strategy is here — enjoy 6 long holidays traveling at home and abroad

▲There are six consecutive holidays in 2018. (Photo / Provided by Skyscanner, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Although 2017 is only halfway through, it’s not too early to start planning your 2018 trip now. The Executive Yuan’s Ministry of Personnel Administration has recently published the 2018 government office calendar, and travel search engine Skyscanner also released its 2018 holiday travel strategy today, offering the “best ticket booking times” and savings rates for popular global travel cities, enabling travelers to arrange their 2018 travel plans as soon as possible. According to the 2018 government office calendar released by the Executive Yuan’s Ministry of the Interior, there will be six consecutive holidays in 2018, including New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year’s Day 2019.

Taking the Lunar New Year holiday as an example, by using just three days of personal leave, you can enjoy an extended break of up to eleven days (from February 15 to February 25).As a rule, flight prices tend to be relatively cheaper before New Year’s Eve, so February 12 is expected to be a more affordable time to book flights next year. In previous years, flights during the same period were about 15.4% cheaper than the average. Meanwhile, the first day of the Lunar New Year is usually when flight prices are higher, so it is advised to avoid traveling on February 16. In past years, flight prices around this time were about 27.1% higher than the average. For travelers who wish to avoid the crowds or are unable to travel before the holiday for other reasons, departing on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 20) is another option, as flight prices around this time were about 10.8% lower than the average in previous years.

▲Best ticket booking times for popular travel destinations.

For those planning to travel during the Tomb Sweeping holiday, taking two days of personal leave allows for an eight-day long break (from March 31 to April 8).However, it’s worth noting that if you arrange your trip this way, the beginning and end of the holiday coincide with weekends, and flight prices may be relatively higher. Based on historical data, travelers are advised to avoid departing on March 31, the first day of the holiday, as flight prices around this time are about 21.5% higher than the average. If your schedule allows, consider departing earlier or later to avoid the most expensive travel periods.

Among the holidays, National Day on October 10th is one you can plan especially well, since it falls on a Wednesday. By taking just two days off either before or after, you can easily create a five-day holiday (from October 6 to October 10, or from October 10 to October 14). Considering the crowds and flight prices during peak season, Skyscanner also recommends travelers start planning early for holidays like National Day and keep an eye on ticket prices.