As the summer winds down, many travelers are setting their sights on planning holiday trips. Google has released valuable insights to help people navigate their holiday travel arrangements, revealing trending destinations and optimal booking times.
James Byers, the group product manager at Google Search, notes that it’s advisable to start planning early. For Thanksgiving, the best flight prices tend to be available in October, while for Christmas, booking between mid-October and mid-November is ideal. He encourages travelers to utilize Google’s tracking tool to monitor fare fluctuations based on specific travel plans. This feature can provide helpful insights on whether to book a flight now or hold out for a better deal.
Holiday Flight Booking Insights
According to Google’s analysis of the past four years, Thanksgiving trip prices are lowest when booked about 35 days in advance, compared to 45 days from the previous year. In contrast, the cheapest time for Christmas and New Year flights is around 51 days before departure. Interestingly, while Tuesday is traditionally the cheapest day to buy tickets, it only offers marginal savings over Sundays.
For travel days, Monday through Wednesday remain the most affordable options, being nearly 13% cheaper than weekend flights. Additionally, considering layovers can also result in average savings of about 22% compared to nonstop flights.
Trending Destinations for Thanksgiving
This year, mid-sized cities are gaining popularity. The top five domestic destinations for Thanksgiving travel include:
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Bozeman, Montana
- Spokane, Washington
- Detroit, Michigan
- Omaha, Nebraska
Trending Destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve
For those heading abroad, beach destinations are on the rise, with the top five international getaways featuring:
- Rio de Janeiro
- St. Lucia
- Marrakech
- Tel Aviv
- Curaçao
As the holiday season approaches, early planning and utilizing tools like Google Flights can make a significant difference in both savings and travel experience.