Summer is winding down, which means it’s time to plan your upcoming holiday trips. To help make sure you get the flights you want at the best prices, Google is here to help with those seasonal getaways.
- Google Flights analyzed four years of data from the top 4-thousand U.S. markets to determine the best time to book airfare for those high-demand holidays.
- Flight prices change daily, so it can be hard to know when prices will be at their lowest, but Google’s data shows its best to book further in advance, especially if you need a specific flight.
- If a cheap ticket is the top priority, search the historical patterns on Google Flights for a specific destination and dates of travel. It will show the cheapest time to book based on that information so you can choose whether to wait for prices to drop or book now.
- Overall, the lowest prices for domestic trips have been found 38 days before departure, on average. Google data shows the historical low price range is 21 to 52 days before takeoff.
- Based on historical prices, the cheapest days of the week to fly are Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, which are typically 13% cheaper than Friday, Saturday and Sunday flights.
- If you’re willing to have a layover, you’ll get a better deal, too. Google reports that on average, nonstop flights have been 25% more expensive than those with stops.
For Thanksgiving:
- The top trending destinations this year are Orlando, Cancun, New York, Tokyo and London.
- For domestic trips, airfare has been the cheapest 45 days before departure, with low prices from 26 to 59 days out.
- Try to book in early October for the best prices.
For Christmas:
- The top destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve this year are Tokyo, Orlando, Cancun, Miami and New York.
- For the cheapest prices, it’s better to plan a little further ahead, as prices for domestic flights tend to be at their lowest 58 days before departure, with the low price range 36 to 72 days out.
- The best time to score a cheap flight around Christmas is during the later part of October.
Source: Good Morning America