When to Book Your Holiday Flights: The Data-Backed Guide to Saving Money

Holiday travel can feel like a race against time and skyrocketing prices. Flights fill up fast, fares jump unexpectedly, and before you know it, you’re paying way too much to get where you need to go.

Sound familiar? If your recent holiday travel left your wallet feeling lighter, here’s how you can plan smarter for next year—and avoid those last-minute headaches.

The good news? The data is clear: certain booking windows can help you avoid overpaying—whether you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. Here’s when to book, how to avoid last-minute price spikes, and a few tips to save even more.

Thanksgiving: Book 45 Days in Advance

Thanksgiving travel is short but intense. Flights for this busy week see steady demand, and prices climb quickly as departure dates approach.

• Sweet Spot: Prices are lowest 45 days before departure.
• Low-Price Range: Between 26–59 days out.

Set a Reminder: Start searching in early October to lock in the best fares. Waiting until November? Expect to pay a premium as flights fill up.

Pro Tip:

• Fly on Thanksgiving Day itself for cheaper fares and quieter airports.
• Avoid flying the day before Thanksgiving—it’s one of the most expensive and crowded days of the year.

Christmas and New Year’s: Book 58 Days in Advance

For holiday travel in late December, early booking is key. Demand around Christmas and New Year’s is high, and prices rise steadily as the holidays approach.

• Sweet Spot: Prices are lowest 58 days before departure.
• Low-Price Range: Between 36–72 days out.

Set a Reminder: Aim to book flights by late October for domestic trips. For international travel, lock in fares even earlier—around 2–3 months out.

Pro Tip:

• Consider flying on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve for less expensive, less crowded flights.
• Mid-week departures (Tuesday or Wednesday) often cost less than peak weekend travel days.

Why Are Holiday Flights So Expensive?

The holidays are peak travel periods for a reason—families reunite, kids are out of school, and many people take extended vacations. Airlines know this and adjust prices accordingly.

Here’s what drives costs up:

• High Demand: Popular routes sell out early, so airlines have little incentive to drop prices.
• Limited Flexibility: Most travelers have fixed schedules, leaving fewer opportunities for cheaper dates.
• Last-Minute Bookings: If you wait too long, airlines capitalize on the urgency and hike fares.

Timing is everything. The earlier you plan, the better the chance of finding a deal.

Tips to Save on Holiday Flights

Here’s how to make holiday travel easier—and cheaper:

• Set Price Alerts: Use tools like Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner to track fares. Alerts notify you when prices drop, so you can jump on the best deals.
• Fly on the Holiday: Flights on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve are often cheaper and less chaotic.
• Be Flexible with Dates: If you can, travel a few days before or after peak periods to avoid the most expensive flights.
  • Thanksgiving: Return on Saturday instead of Sunday.
  • Christmas: Travel a day or two earlier than December 23.
• Check Alternate Airports: Major hubs are often pricier. Look at nearby regional airports for better fares and fewer crowds.
• Book Early for International Trips: If you’re flying abroad, aim to book 2–4 months out. International flights rarely see last-minute price drops.

Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates to Remember

Planning starts now. Add these reminders to your calendar and make next year’s holiday travel easier on your wallet:

• Thanksgiving: Start looking in early October.
• Christmas and New Year’s: Aim to book in late October.

A little planning now means you’ll avoid the stress and enjoy a more affordable trip when the holidays roll around again.

Looking for More Travel Tips?

Planning your travel smart doesn’t stop with the holidays! Check out these guides for more insights to save money and make the most of your trips year-round:

• The Best Time to Book Flights for Every Season
• The Sweet Spot for Booking Flights

Smart planning today means stress-free travel tomorrow. Happy travels!

Feature Image Credit: Shutterstock / jamesteohart.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.