When Is the Best Time to Book Airline Tickets to Save Money?
Traveling can be an unforgettable experience, but sometimes the most stark reminder is the depressing state of our bank account. The costs of vacations can mount exponentially, especially with hidden costs or encountering unforeseen expenses. Paying as little as you can before you travel means you have more money to use during your trip or at least minimizes the damage when you return. Flights are often one of the biggest expenses for a trip, so knowing how to get a good deal can help you save money up front. Prices of airline tickets can fluctuate in a way which can be obtuse and nonsensical.
Knowing the patterns and recommendations based on studies and real data that can help you save money on your flights. This is why oneHOWTO asks when is the best time to book airline tickets to save money? We find out which day of the week and at what time can get you the best deal on flights.
What is the best day of the week to buy airline tickets?
Conventional wisdom states that Tuesday is the best day of the week to buy airline tickets. This was accurate at one point. Airline companies would release tickets with discounts on Tuesdays, but dynamic pricing has superseded this practice. This means it can be difficult to know the best day of the week to buy airline tickets in 2025.
What do the studies say?
Various analyses by agencies such as Expedia, Hopper, and Google Flights have shown that Sundays are the best day to book flights. According to their statistics, purchasing flights on Sundays can represent savings of up to 15% compared to purchases made on Fridays.
Why does this happen? Airlines constantly adjust their fares based on demand. During the weekend, there's less corporate activity and more travelers have time to plan their vacations. Ironically, this causes many people to search for flights, but few buy them immediately. Airlines then lower their prices to encourage buying. Those who do so on Sundays tend to take advantage of these drops.
And what is the best day to fly?
When to buy and when to fly are two separate considerations. Purchasing tickets on Sunday may provide you the best deal, but there will still be discrepancies for fares on different days. Any discounted price will be relative. Generally speaking, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to travel. These days less demand and flights tend to be less crowded.
Prices change within the same day. We can see this is we compare prices between Friday morning and Friday night, for example. Tickets on Friday morning will be more desirable as they give the traveler more time of the day to spend at their destination.
If you make a mistake with your booking, you may want to know how to cancel a SpiceJet ticket online.
What is the best time of day to buy airline tickets?
Although we should not exaggerate its effect, the time you book your flight can also influence the final price. While there's no magic formula that always works, certain trends have been detected.
It's better to buy flights in the morning
According to several flight search engines and travel agencies, the best deals are usually available between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m. (local time). During these early hours, many airlines release unsold seats, make last-minute cancellations or adjust fares, benefiting early-bird shoppers.
Additionally, there's less traffic on booking websites. This can make the system work faster and avoid the sudden price changes sometimes seen when searching for tickets during peak hours.
Tip: Use incognito mode
Many users notice that prices increase if they search for the same destination multiple times. Although this isn't 100% proven, using your browser in incognito mode or clearing your cookies can help you see real prices and avoid artificial increases.
Set up alerts
Sometimes prices drop within hours. Setting up price alerts on platforms like Skyscanner, Kayak or Google Flights can help you stay on top of things without having to constantly check.
What are the best months to buy cheap flights?
The season significantly influences flight prices. Understanding when to make the booking in relation to the time of the flight is key if your goal is to save.
When is the best time of year to buy flights?
- For domestic flights: it is best to purchase tickets 1 to 3 months in advance.
- For international flights: it is recommended to purchase between 3 and 6 months before the travel date.
Booking too early or too short can be more expensive. The ‘golden window’ is when airlines optimize their prices to fill planes without losing profitability. Of course, it is always possible you will get a last minute deal or some other change affects the price, but generally speaking they will be more expensive if you leave it to the last minute.
When is the cheapest time of year to travel?
These are the best months of the year to find cheap flights:
- January and February: after the December peak season, rates drop considerably.
- May: before the summer boom, many airlines launch promotions which provide discounted fares.
- September and October: right after the summer holidays, demand drops and so do prices.
Avoid flying in July, August and December, when most people travel for vacations or holidays. These are the most expensive months to fly.
It is cheapest to travel during the week
Traveling from Tuesday to Thursday is usually cheaper than on weekends. Mondays tend to be more expensive due to the demand for business flights and Fridays are more expensive due to holiday travel.
When you are planning your next trip, it's not just about finding your dream destination. You need to know when is the best time to book. Your wallet will thank you and you'll be able to enjoy your adventure with more peace of mind (and with enough money for a few extra treats!).
Now you know the best day of week, time of day and time of year to book your airline flights, you can start to plan you trip. Learn more about what to consider with our article on your 7-day travel packing essentials.
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