Looking to travel for spring break or plan a summer vacation? Perhaps you’re searching for flights to your dream destination, but the high airline prices are deterring you. Luckily, there are ways to make your travel more affordable, and it all starts before you board the plane.
The Google Flights team has analyzed five years’ worth of airfare data and identified the cheapest days and times to fly and the best time to book flights during each season. Here are the results of their findings.
If you want to find the most economical flight, it’s best to avoid flying on the weekends and instead opt for the middle of the week. Flights departing between Monday and Wednesday are generally between 12% and 20% cheaper than those on weekends. Sundays are the most expensive days to travel, according to Google.
If you don’t mind taking a layover flight and spending some extra time traveling, you can save around 20% on your airfare compared to nonstop flights.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no significant advantage in purchasing your tickets on a specific day of the week, such as Tuesday. However, shopping for flights between Tuesday and Thursday instead of the weekend can be marginally cheaper, with average savings of 1.9% over the past five years.
To avoid any potential price increase, it’s recommended to book your flight well in advance rather than waiting until closer to your travel dates. For domestic flights, prices are generally the lowest between 21 and 60 days before the trip. However, this may not apply to all destinations, so be sure to research your specific location.
As for international flights, Google didn’t provide any specific recommendations on how far in advance to book them.
Here’s what Google suggests for the best times to book flights during specific seasons:
- Spring break: For domestic trips in March and April, the best time to book is typically between 23 and 59 days before departure, with the lowest average price at 38 days out.
- Summer vacation: If you’re planning a domestic trip for July or August, it’s best to book your flight between 14 and 44 days before departure. The lowest average price is typically 21 days out.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas: For Thanksgiving travel, book your flight between 36 and 74 days in advance. For Christmas, start looking for flights 88 days in advance, with the lowest average price at 22 days before departure.
If you’re using Google Flights, there are additional ways to find deals. You can compare flight prices between today and previous days to determine if you’re overpaying or getting the lowest price. You can also turn on price tracking and receive an email notification if the prices change for your selected travel dates. Finally, check out Google’s travel tips and Maps features to make your trip planning even more straightforward.
