The Cheapest Time to Book Holiday Travel This Year, According to Google Flights

While I love that the holiday season is approaching, one aspect fills me with dread: the chaos of holiday travel. Every year, I hope my travel experience doesn’t rival the airport stress levels in Home Alone 2, but it almost seems inevitable, given how busy this time of year can be. While I can’t control the bustling airports or the constantly moving parts of organizing a trip this time of year, I’m committed to scoring the best possible deals on holiday travel this year.

I know it might feel early, but when you see snowmen and candy canes replacing skeletons and pumpkins in every store, it’s time to start planning your holiday travel. The season comes with so many expenses; the last thing you want is to overpay for flights just because you procrastinated. Thankfully, the experts at Google Flights recently shared some insider tips for saving money on holiday travel this year. Whether you’re booking a flight home for the holidays or planning a winter getaway, here’s what you need to know to get the best deals:

1. Book at the right time

I get it—booking flights is easy to put off. We’ve all been guilty of procrastinating, only to be met with minimal options and a much higher price tag than expected. If that sounds like you, let this be your reminder that the early bird really does get the worm when it comes to cheap flights. According to Google Flights data, domestic flight prices are generally at their lowest 39 days before departure, but booking anywhere between 23-51 days out is a good bet for lower prices. For international flights, prices typically start rising 49 days before takeoff.

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, the cheapest domestic flight prices typically appear 35 days before departure, with the low price range ranging from 26-59 days out. That means the second-to-last week in October is likely your sweet spot for booking Thanksgiving travel.

For Christmas, you’ll want to plan even further ahead. Google Flights reports that prices have historically been lowest 51 days before departure, with the low price range hitting between 32-73 days. So, if you plan on traveling the week of Christmas, you may want to book your flight at the end of October or the beginning of November for the best prices.

2. Check the “cheapest time to book” insights

While the recommendations above are based on general Google Flights data for all destinations, there’s also a way to see insights tailored to your specific itinerary. If you’re wondering whether it’s better to book now or wait for lower prices, scroll down to the text box directly beneath the “Top departing flights” section on the Google Flights search results page. Here, you’ll see whether current prices for your trip are low, typical, or high, as well as the cheapest time to book flights for your chosen dates and destination. For example, it could tell you that prices are typically lowest two months before departure, along with how much you’ll save on average by booking during this time. Just note that these insights are only available for flight searches with reliable trend data, so they may not show up for less popular routes.

3. Set price tracking alerts

Gone are the days of constantly refreshing tabs to check for price drops. Technology can do all the work for you. By tracking flight prices (whether through Google Flights or another flight tracker website like KAYAK or Hopper), you can ensure you’re getting the best deal without carving out time for a research deep dive. You can track as many flights as you want, and Google Flights will notify you via email when prices rise or fall—making it easy to decide when to pull the trigger and purchase.

4. Book a refundable plane ticket and continue price tracking

If waiting to book in hopes of a price drop makes your heart race (fellow Type-A planners, I see you!), here’s a hack you’ll love. Book a refundable ticket and turn on price tracking on Google Flights. If the price drops, you can rebook at the lower rate without stressing about missing out on your ideal flight time. Just check the airline and booking provider’s refund policies and confirm they will allow you to switch to a cheaper option.

5. Fly early in the week

You’ve probably heard that booking flights on a certain day of the week results in lower prices. While that’s technically true, according to Google Flights, the difference is small. Booking on Tuesday is only about 1.3 percent cheaper than booking on Sunday, the most expensive day. The real difference comes down to when you fly. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the cheapest days to travel, while flying on a weekend can be 13 percent more expensive for domestic flights. It can make a big difference if you can adjust your PTO and fly early in the week.

6. Consider a layover or a different airport

A direct flight into an airport that’s just minutes from your final destination is the gold standard when traveling, but unfortunately, that’s not always the most affordable. It could save you a pretty penny if you’re flexible with your destination, not opposed to a layover, or willing to travel to another airport near your final stop. When tracking your flights, include multiple airports and flight paths to easily see the cost differential for making your travel day a little longer or less direct. Google Flights data shows that on average, taking a layover helps you save about 22 percent versus flying nonstop. Taking a less direct route might be worth the extra time or hassle if it saves you hundreds of dollars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor

As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.

READ LAUREN’S FULL BIO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor

Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.

READ JESSICA’S FULL BIO

The post The Cheapest Time to Book Holiday Travel This Year, According to Google Flights appeared first on The Everygirl.