Google Flights has recently released its travel trends report for 2024.
The findings indicate that the optimal time to purchase Thanksgiving flight tickets is early October.
If you’re looking to score the best deals on Christmas flights, late October or 58 days before departure is the way to go.
Although the holiday season may seem far off, planning your travel now can lead to significant savings.
In September, travel service Hopper revealed that the average airfare for a Thanksgiving trip was $298 for a round-trip, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. For Christmas, the average round-trip fare hit $406, up 4% from the same period last year.
Despite this, Hopper indicated that prices might drop a bit in October, presenting a favorable opportunity for booking flights.
Whether your travel plans involve exploring a new location or connecting with family and friends, Google Flights examined four years of airfare trends and published a report detailing the optimal times for securing holiday tickets this year.
Starting with an overview of the best and most economical days to fly, the report offers insights into domestic, international, and holiday travel, providing key recommendations for booking your flights.
Optimal Day for Booking Flights
Recommended Day: Tuesday
Costliest Day: Sunday
According to findings from Google Flights, past ticket pricing data indicates that Tuesday tends to be the most economical day to make flight reservations. However, it also noted that the day you choose to book may not significantly impact overall costs.
Historically, tickets reserved on Tuesdays tend to be 1.3% less expensive compared to those booked on Sundays, which are known to be the priciest days.
Cheapest days for air travel
Days with the lowest fares: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Days with the highest fares: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
If your travel plans are adaptable, historical pricing patterns indicate that securing your flight on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday will yield the most affordable fare: a ticket that’s 13% less expensive compared to one booked on a Friday or over the weekend.
For domestic travel
Optimal booking time: 38 days prior to departure
Price range for low fares: 21 to 52 days prior to departure
If you’re looking to travel within the US, the optimal time to book your journey is approximately 38 days in advance, according to Google Flights.
For instance, if you’re planning a trip from New York to Los Angeles, it’s advisable to begin your flight search around one to one and a half months prior to your intended departure.
When it comes to international travel
Most economical booking time: 101 days prior to departure
Low price range: 50 days or more before departure
According to Google Flights, international flights tend to offer the best prices when booked 101 days prior to your travel date — emphasizing that early booking can help secure significant savings.
If your plans don’t allow for such early reservations, historical data indicates that, generally, ticket prices remain favorable when secured at least 50 days ahead of the scheduled departure.
Typically, prices begin to escalate once the departure date is within a 50-day window.
For Thanksgiving
Most economical booking period: 45 days prior to departure
Affordable price range: 26 to 59 days ahead of travel
Hopper indicates that if you book your tickets before October 14, you could save money on domestic journeys. In a similar vein, Google Flights suggests that early October is the ideal time to finalize your Thanksgiving plans, particularly if you are traveling to a popular location.
According to insights from Google Flights, the optimal window for booking is 45 days in advance of your departure. Historical data indicates that the most affordable fares can typically be found between 26 to 59 days prior to your flight.
When it comes to holiday travel, specifically for Christmas:
Most economical booking period: 58 days ahead of departure
Budget-friendly fare window: 36 to 72 days before the flight
If you’re considering a domestic journey, it’s advisable to secure your bookings early for Christmas, as this is one of the most hectic travel times.
The best deals on tickets are generally found 58 days prior to your desired departure. Historical data suggests that the most budget-friendly prices surface between 36 and 72 days before your travel date.
This indicates that late October is your final opportunity to snag the most wallet-friendly Christmas travel options.
For those planning trips to Europe
Best time to book: 94 days prior to travel
Affordable price range: 50 days or more ahead of your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, booking 94 days in advance offers the greatest chance of finding low fares.
Typically, the best prices can be found 50 days or more before the date of departure, a trend seen with many international locations.
For travels to Mexico or the Caribbean
Most affordable booking period: 44 days ahead of departure
Budget-friendly price window: 26 to 68 days or beyond before departure
If you’re eager to explore international destinations but need to adhere to a stricter planning timeline, Mexico and the Caribbean present excellent options due to their adaptable pricing timelines.
To secure the most economical fare, it’s advisable to purchase your tickets 44 days ahead of time, according to Google Flights. Nevertheless, you can still find affordable fares if you book between 26 and 68 days prior to your departure.
In general, planning your international flights well in advance is advantageous, while for domestic travel, it’s typically best to book within a 40 to 45-day window.
Finally, if you’re willing to spend extra time reaching your destination in exchange for lower costs, choosing a flight with a layover could be a good option. As noted by Google Flights, nonstop flights tend to be, on average, 25% more expensive than those with layovers.
For further details, check the original article on Business Insider.