As travelers gear up for the holiday season, Google Flights has unveiled key insights on the best days to book affordable flights for major holidays.
The study provides booking windows for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and spring break, alongside top-searched destinations.
For Thanksgiving, booking 45 days in advance is ideal—October 14 this year. Cheap flights are available between 26 and 59 days before departure.
The most searched destinations for Thanksgiving include Orlando, Cancun, New York, Tokyo, and London.
Other popular destinations are Miami, Paris, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Honolulu.
For Christmas, the best day to book is October 28, 58 days ahead, with the best deals found between 36 and 72 days before December 25.
Top holiday destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve include Tokyo, Orlando, Cancun, Miami, and New York, followed by London, San Juan, Honolulu, Paris, and Las Vegas.
Spring break travelers should aim to book 44 days in advance, with an optimal window between 33 and 59 days prior.
For those heading to Europe, the best deals typically appear 94 days ahead, but anything over 50 days out can also offer savings.
Meanwhile, trips to Mexico and the Caribbean should be booked 44 days before departure, with savings opportunities between 26 and 68 days prior.
More Money-Saving Tips for Booking Flights
Curious about how to save more when booking flights? While Tuesday has traditionally been seen as the cheapest day, it’s only 1.3% less than Sunday. However, when it comes to flying, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday offer the best savings, about 13% cheaper than weekend flights.
For domestic travel, you could save up to 20%. Also, consider choosing a flight with a layover—nonstop flights have been 25% more expensive on average, making flights with stops a great budget-friendly option.
According to the Google blog, these recommendations come from years of analyzing flight data, helping travelers navigate post-pandemic price surges and plan their holiday travel more effectively.