The Best Day to Book Flights Isn’t What You Think… – Thrifty Traveler

Thanksgiving is only a little over a month away — and Christmas isn’t too far behind. Before we know it, holiday season will be in full swing. That means it’s time to start preparing now. If you plan to travel for any of the end-of-year holidays, you may wonder when you need to make the move on buyng plane tickets. Is it better to buy them as soon as possible or should you wait until the holidays get closer?

Google Flights recently released its key insights on 2024 travel data and trends, which provides some analysis on the best times to fly and purchase plane tickets. Google aggregated four years of airfare data and trends to provide US travelers with an overarching guide on how to get the cheapest flights possible and what the best times of year are to fly. 

Read more: Use Your iPhone to Easily Monitor Flight Delays and Cancellations

What days are the cheapest to fly?

When is the best time to book a flight in every season?

Here’s what Google says about the best times to book holiday flights and vacation trips to certain popular destinations. 

Thanksgiving: The cheapest domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday are usually available between 26 to 59 days in advance, with 45 days out being the cheapest — meaning it’s best to book Thanksgiving flights in early October. 

Christmas: The cheapest domestic flights over the winter holidays are usually available between 36 to 72 days in advance, with 58 days out being the cheapest. It’s best to book Christmas or holiday travel in the latter half of October. 

Summer break: The cheapest domestic flights in July and August are usually available 13 to 43 days in advance, with 21 days before departure being the cheapest day on average to book. 

Spring break: The cheapest domestic flights in March and April are available between 33 to 59 days in advance, with 44 days before departure being the cheapest time to book on average. 

When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?

International flights to Europe from the US are usually cheaper 50 or more days before departure, with 94 days out being the cheapest day to book on average. As with all international travel, it’s generally best practice to book as early as you can.

When is the best time to book a flight to Mexico or the Caribbean?

International flights to Mexico and the Caribbean are the one exception to the broader international trend, according to Google. That’s because flights are generally at their lowest between 26 and 68 days in advance, with 44 days out being the cheapest.

What are the top destinations for holiday travel?

Google also released insights on the top-searched destinations for each holiday. 

Thanksgiving: The top-searched destinations for trips departing between the dates of Nov. 24 through Dec. 1 include Orlando, Florida; Cancun, Mexico; New York; Tokyo; London and more.

For more, check out CNET’s picks for the best travel credit cards in 2024. You can also explore the 12 travel essentials you always need to pack and the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.