Google Flights Reveals Best Times to Book Holiday Travel

Planning your holiday travel? According to a new analysis of Google Flights data, the best time to book your flights isn’t necessarily right now. The data, compiled from five years of aggregated information, suggests that the lowest fares for Thanksgiving flights in the US will appear 34 days before departure, with a low price range of 21 to 57 days beforehand. For Christmas travel, the optimal booking window is 56 days prior, with prices dropping between 33 to 67 days before departure.

Google Flights also offers broader advice for domestic and international travel. For domestic flights, the sweet spot is 39 days before departure, while international flights should be booked 89 days in advance. The lowest fares for European travel tend to emerge 90 days out, while the best deals for Mexican and Caribbean destinations appear 43 days before departure. However, Google notes that its predictions for specific tickets may vary, and travelers should rely on individual flight recommendations rather than these general forecasts.

The analysis also highlights that booking on a Wednesday can save about 1.4% compared to booking on a Sunday, the most expensive day. Additionally, departing on a Monday and returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday can save about 14% over weekend flights, with potential savings of up to 20% domestically if you avoid flying on Sundays. Opting for connecting flights can also help avoid the average 20% premium on nonstop flights, though it increases the risk of delays or cancellations.

For those looking to avoid the cold, the trending destinations for Thanksgiving include Hilo, HI, Buffalo, NY, Columbus, OH, Punta Gorda, FL, and Greenville, SC. For Christmas and New Year’s, the top destinations are Athens, Greece, Québec City, Canada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Guatemala City, Guatemala.