As summer draws to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan your holiday travel.

While many travelers are looking for affordable fares for fall trips, it’s also wise to start scheduling holiday flights now for the best prices, according to recent findings from Google Flights.

Google Flights has examined four years of booking data across the top 4,000 markets in the U.S. to identify the ideal time to purchase flights during the busy holiday season. For Thanksgiving, they looked at trips lasting between six and nine days, and for Christmas, trips that last 13 to 16 days, with departures before the holiday and returns afterward.

“It’s generally beneficial to book early, particularly if your travel plans are fixed or if you’re heading overseas,” said James Byers, Group Product Manager for Google Search and head of Google Flights, in a statement to YSL News. “However, if saving money on domestic flights is your primary goal, utilize the insights from Google Flights to pinpoint the most affordable time to reserve your preferred dates and destinations.”

Here’s how travelers can cut costs on their holiday travels in 2024, as advised by Google Flights.

Popular Destinations for Holiday 2024

Top Searched Thanksgiving Locations

1. Orlando
2. Cancun
3. New York
4. Tokyo
5. London

Top Searched Christmas and New Year’s Eve Locations

1. Tokyo
2. Orlando
3. Cancun
4. Miami
5. New York

When Should I Book My Holiday Travel?

Average flight prices fluctuate daily, with October generally being the month when prices are lowest for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel, as noted by Byers.

For domestic Thanksgiving travel, the best prices typically appear 45 days before departure, with favorable rates between 26 and 59 days in advance. It’s advisable to book during early October.

For Christmas travel, you’ll need to allow a bit more time, even for domestic flights. Historically, the best prices for U.S. flights are found 58 days prior, with good rates between 36 and 72 days out. Start your bookings in the latter part of October.

When Should I Book International Flights for the Holidays?

In general, the earlier you book, the better, according to Google Flights. Average prices for international flights are best when booked 101 days—or nearly four months—before your departure. However, booking 50 days ahead should still yield good options since prices tend to rise around this mark.

Timing can vary somewhat depending on your destination. Flights to Europe are most affordable when booked about 94 days in advance, while the ideal window for Mexico or Caribbean flights is around 44 days before departure.

Are Tuesdays the Best Days to Book Flights?

Yes, but the savings are minimal, according to Google Flights. Tickets purchased on Tuesdays are only 1.3% cheaper than when booked on Sundays, which are often the most expensive days. The actual day you fly can matter more—flying on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays can save you up to 13% compared to traveling on the weekend.

Money-Saving Tips for Holiday Travel in 2024

• If you’re eager to travel for Thanksgiving but haven’t chosen a destination, explore the “Explore” feature on Google Flights to view flight deals worldwide. “Just enter your departure airport and leave the destination blank,” Google advises. Click on “Explore” to see a map with flight prices, which can be filtered by trip length or flight duration.
• Consider flights with layovers instead of direct ones to save around 25% on airfare, based on Google Flights’ data.
• Check flights departing from or arriving at alternative airports. For instance, if you’re headed to New York City, look for flights to Newark Liberty International Airport instead of JFK. On Google Flights, click the plus icon to include more airports in your search to find the best deals.