The Best Time to Book a Flight: How to Save Money and Get the Best Deals

Booking flights can feel like a game of chance—prices fluctuate daily, airlines release deals at unpredictable times, and waiting too long can mean paying hundreds more for the same seat. But what if you had a strategy? By understanding the best time to book flights based on travel trends, you can maximize your savings and ensure a stress-free trip.

In this guide, we’ll break down the ideal booking windows for domestic, international, holiday, and summer flights, as well as the cheapest days to fly and insider tips on snagging the best deals.

1. When to Book Domestic Flights

For domestic travel, the best time to book is 38 days before your trip.

Why 38 Days?

• Airlines typically release ticket prices 12 months in advance, but the best fares aren’t available that early.
• Prices tend to drop about 1-3 months before departure.
• Booking too early (6+ months in advance) or too late (less than 14 days before departure) often leads to higher prices.

Extra Tips for Domestic Flights:

✅ Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday – These days tend to have lower fares. ✅ Fly mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) – Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays, which are the most expensive days. ✅ Sign up for fare alerts – Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper will notify you when prices drop.

2. When to Book International Flights

For international travel, book 60 days before your trip for the best fares.

Why 60 Days?

• Airlines set international fares further in advance than domestic flights.
• Booking too early (over 6 months ahead) means you’re not getting discounts yet.
• Prices usually drop around 2-3 months before departure, with the lowest fares appearing about 60 days out.

Extra Tips for International Flights:

✅ Be flexible with dates – If your schedule allows, look at different months for lower fares. ✅ Fly on a Thursday – Data shows that Thursday is the cheapest day for international flights. ✅ Use airline miles or points – International flights are a great opportunity to redeem travel rewards. ✅ Check nearby airports – Flying into a different airport in the region (e.g., Paris instead of London) can sometimes save hundreds.

3. When to Book Holiday Flights

Holiday travel can be expensive, but you can still score a deal if you book at the right time.

Extra Tips for Holiday Flights:

✅ Book as early as possible – Last-minute holiday fares are almost always sky-high. ✅ Fly on the holiday itself – Traveling on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day can mean cheaper tickets. ✅ Use flexible fare search tools – Google Flights and Kayak have flexible date tools to compare pricing over multiple days. ✅ Consider alternative airports – If you’re flying to a major city, look at secondary airports to save money.

4. When to Book Summer Flights

Summer is peak travel season, and airfare prices tend to be higher.

Best Strategy for Booking Summer Flights:

• Book in the winter – The earlier, the better.
• For domestic flights: Book 45-90 days before departure.
• For international flights: Book 60-120 days before departure.

Extra Tips for Summer Travel:

✅ Avoid flying in late June and early July – This is the busiest and most expensive period. ✅ Travel in May or late August – These months offer better deals compared to peak summer. ✅ Be flexible with destinations – Use tools like Google Flights’ “Explore” feature to find cheap flights.

5. The Cheapest Days to Fly

Knowing when to buy a ticket is important, but knowing when to fly is just as crucial.

Why Are These Days Cheaper?

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheaper because fewer business travelers fly these days.
• Sundays and Fridays are the most expensive due to leisure and business travel demand.

6. Bonus Tips for Getting the Best Flight Deals

1. Use Google Flights and Price Trackers

✅ Set price alerts to track flight fares and get notified when prices drop. ✅ Check the Google Flights “Date Grid” to compare different travel dates.

2. Consider Budget Airlines for Short Trips

• Low-cost carriers like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier offer cheaper flights, but be mindful of baggage fees.

3. Book One-Way Tickets Separately

• Sometimes booking two one-way tickets on different airlines is cheaper than a round-trip ticket.

4. Use Airline Miles and Credit Card Points

• Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture, and Amex Platinum offer travel rewards you can redeem for free flights.

5. Clear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode

• Some websites track your searches and increase prices if they see repeated interest.
• Use incognito mode to avoid this.

6. Fly Out of Alternative Airports

✅ Consider secondary airports near major cities (e.g., Burbank instead of LAX, Oakland instead of SFO). ✅ You can often save $100+ per ticket by flying into/out of a nearby city.

7. Check for Hidden City Ticketing Deals

✅ Websites like Skiplagged find flights where your actual destination is a layover city. ✅ This works best for solo travelers with carry-on luggage only.

8. Sign Up for Fare Deal Newsletters

✅ Scott’s Cheap Flights, Secret Flying, and The Points Guy regularly share mistake fares and flash sales.

Final Thoughts: Smart Flight Booking for Budget-Friendly Travel

By following these expert-backed booking windows and travel hacks, you can significantly cut flight costs and make your travel budget go further. Whether you’re planning a holiday getaway, a summer vacation, or an international adventure, timing your bookings correctly can mean the difference between overpaying and getting a great deal.

Quick Recap:

✈️ Book domestic flights ~38 days before departure. ✈️ Book international flights ~60 days before departure. ✈️ Use holiday booking windows (~45-58 days before major holidays). ✈️ Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays for the best prices. ✈️ Use fare tracking tools, travel credit cards, and flexible dates to save even more!

Now that you know the best time to book flights, where will you travel next? Drop a comment below and let’s start planning your next adventure! 🌍✈️