Google Flights Reveals Optimal Times to Book Holiday Travel for 2026

As the 2026 holiday season approaches, Google is offering insights to help travelers save money on flights. Using five years of data from Google Flights, the company has identified key trends in airfare pricing. For Thanksgiving flights, the lowest fares typically appear about 34 days before departure. Christmas flights, however, reach their lowest average price around 56 days before departure, shifting earlier this year to between late October and mid-November.

The data also challenges the common belief that Tuesday is the best day to book flights. According to Google, Wednesday slightly edges out Tuesday, saving only about 1.4% compared to Sunday. The timing of your travel days matters more, with flights on Monday and returns on Tuesday or Wednesday saving roughly 14% over weekend trips. Additionally, nonstop tickets are generally 20% more expensive on average.

For those planning trips outside the holiday season, domestic flights are cheapest around 39 days before departure. International flights hit their lowest prices about 89 days out, though the price drop is minimal. Trips to Mexico and the Caribbean tend to bottom out around 43 days before departure.

Google also highlighted trending destinations for the holidays. Within the U.S., tropical retreats and mid-sized cities like Hilo, Hawaii, Buffalo, and Columbus are gaining popularity. Internationally, Athens tops the list, followed by Quebec City, Rio de Janeiro, Hanoi, and Guatemala City.