The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel

Everyone wants to score the best deal on airfare, right? Well, predicting when prices will be the lowest is easier said than done. Flights generally open for booking about a year ahead of time, and the airfare will change often between then and takeoff. Airlines use a system called dynamic pricing, in which algorithms price flights based on supply and demand, so they can change any second.

That said, industry experts have crunched the data to help guide you toward the best time to book your flights to save money. Ultimately, it depends on where and when you’re going. In general, the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 28 days, while international flights should be booked around 60 days in advance. But the experts recommend booking even earlier for peak travel periods like summer and the holiday season, since flights then are always high in demand.

Our advice: Track prices on flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations. Read on for more advice about when to book flights from the pros.

When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel

According to data from flight deal site Dollar Flight Club, the sweet spot for domestic travel is 28 days in advance. “Our data shows that booking about four weeks out can save you up to 24 percent on fares compared to last-minute prices,” Jesse Neugarten, Dollar Flight Club CEO, tells Travel + Leisure. 

Remember, there’s no “best” day of the week to book travel — but for the best deals, it’s all about what day you fly. In addition to booking approximately a month in advance, you should target midweek flights. “For even greater savings, avoid peak travel days like Fridays and Sundays, and target Tuesdays or Wednesdays, when demand is lower,” says Neugarten.

When to Book Flights for International Travel

If you’re traveling abroad, you should be booking earlier than if you were flying domestic. “International flights are best booked 60 days in advance for optimal savings. This lead time can result in fares being 10 percent cheaper than closer-to-departure bookings,” says Neugarten. The worst time to buy international flights is in the days leading up to the flight, when airlines know they can raise the price for urgent last-minute travel.

The real trick to finding good deals on international airfare is to avoid booking your travel for peak times, which include summer and major holidays (don’t forget — that includes holidays in your destination, too). “To maximize savings, people should consider booking during shoulder seasons, such as late May or early September, when demand dips and prices drop,” says Neugarten.

When to Book Flights for Holiday Travel

We hate to break it to you, but flying during the holidays is rarely cheap. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive times of the year to fly. “For Thanksgiving and Christmas, aim to book 90–120 days in advance. Our analysis shows that holiday fares spike dramatically as the dates approach, so locking in tickets 3-4 months early can save you hundreds of dollars,” says Neugarten.

Track flights and book your holiday tickets as soon as you find a price within your budget, but make sure to book a fare that will give you a credit if you cancel (in other words, avoid booking basic economy). That way, if prices drop between the time of booking and your travel dates, you can cancel your original ticket and use the credit to book the cheaper fare. The only downside is you’ll still have some remaining credit, but you can then use it to treat yourself to a future flight. Just don’t let that credit expire.

When to Book Flights for Summer Travel

Summer is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year to travel, which means it can be tough to find a good deal on airfare. Ideally, you should book flights for summer travel as soon as possible, preferably at least six months in advance.

“The best time to book for peak season is… the opposite season,” says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. “While most of us are scrambling to focus on our winter holiday plans, we should also keep our eyes open for some great summer fares.”

She notes that the booking window for peak season ranges between three and seven months for domestic flights and four to 10 months for international trips. “And if you do book something, keep that flight alert on,” says Nastro. “If it drops again, depending on your ticket type, you can call to rebook and get a refund or travel credit back with the difference. Most airlines don’t charge for change fees on main cabin tickets, meaning you won’t be spending more to save.”