When to buy cheap holiday travel tickets

If you're one of the millions of Americans visiting family and friends during the holidays, now is the time to start thinking ahead about how to save the most money on flights.

It can be tempting to wait until the last minute in the hope of getting a lot. But what you should do is use the tools at your disposal, such as the data provided by Google Flights, to determine the best time to buy in order to get the best price possible.

Google Flights recently released its key insights Travel data and trends in 2024which provides some analysis on the best times to fly and buy tickets. Google has compiled four years of airfare data and trends to give U.S. travelers a general guide on how to get one cheapest flights What's possible and the best times of year to fly.

Read more: Discover these 5 simple tips to save money on flights

Which days are the cheapest to fly?

If you're planning to book a flight, especially during the busy holiday season, you'll probably be trying to find the most affordable option. According to Google Flights, flights are cheapest on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tuesday is the cheapest daybased on historical flight data. Flights from Monday to Wednesday can save travelers 13% to 20% on airfare compared to flights on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with Sunday being the most expensive day to fly.

Can I save money on a flight stopover?

It's probably no surprise that flights with layovers are cheaper than direct flights, but you may not realize how big these savings can be. Google Flights data shows Passengers can save 25% when booking a transfer Rather than a direct flight.

Which day of the week is the cheapest to book a flight?

There are certainly cheaper dates to fly, but there are no truly cheaper dates to book. According to Google's report, “there's not much benefit to buying tickets on a specific day of the week.”

Google Flights does state Tuesday is usually the cheapest day of the week to bookBut bookings on Tuesday are only 1.3% cheaper than Sunday, the most expensive day, the data shows.

Is it cheaper to book flights in advance?

Wait or wait? According to Google, it's best to book travel in advance, especially if you need to fly on a specific date or time. You can analyze patterns to decide whether to wait for a lower price or book now based on specific scenarios, destinations, and travel dates.

for Domestic flightsthe price is usually between the lowest price 21 days and 52 days Before you travel—with 38 days Before departure is the cheapest day to book on average.

for international flightsthe price is usually the lowest 50 days and 101 days Before you travel, but it's usually best to book as early as possible. According to Google, for international travel from the United States, “average prices don't drop significantly at any time before departure, but typically start to increase within 50 days of the flight.”

When is the best time to book a flight each season?

Here's what Google says about the best times to book holiday flights and vacation trips to some popular destinations.

grateful: The cheapest domestic flights during the Thanksgiving holiday are typically available 26 to 59 days in advance, with 45 days being the cheapest, meaning it's best to book your Thanksgiving flights in early October.

Christmas: The cheapest domestic flights during the winter holidays are typically available 36 to 72 days in advance, with 58 days being the cheapest. It's best to book Christmas or holiday travel in late October.

summer vacation: The cheapest domestic flights in July and August are typically booked 13 to 43 days in advance, with 21 days before departure being the cheapest day to book on average.

Spring Break: The cheapest domestic flights in March and April can be booked 33 to 59 days in advance, with 44 days before departure being the cheapest time to book on average.

When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?

International flights from the U.S. to Europe are often cheaper 50 days or more Before departure, with 94 days This is the cheapest day to book on average. As with all international travel, it's usually best to book as early as possible.

When is the best time to book a flight to Mexico or the Caribbean?

Google said international flights to Mexico and the Caribbean were exceptions to a broader international trend. This is because flights are usually at their lowest prices 26 days and 68 days in advance, with 44 days Coming out is the cheapest.

What are your top destinations for holiday travel?

Google has also released insights into the most searched destinations for each holiday.

grateful: The most searched destinations for trips departing from November 24 to December 1 include Orlando, Florida; Cancun, Mexico; New York; Tokyo; and London.

Christmas and New Year's Eve: Popular search destinations for trips departing between December 22 and January 5 include Tokyo; Orlando, Florida; Cancun, Mexico; Miami; New York, and more.

For more, check out CNET's picks The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024. You can also explore 12 travel essentials you always need to carry and Worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.