The ideal time to book a flight depends on whether your trip is domestic or international, and whether it falls during peak travel periods.

Domestic Flights

• Book 1 to 3 months in advance for the best prices. Booking within this window typically saves around 24-25% compared to last-minute deals

• Some studies suggest the sweet spot is around 20 to 45 days before departure

• Avoid last-minute bookings, as prices tend to rise sharply in the final weeks

• Flying midweek, especially on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, often yields cheaper fares

International Flights

• Book 2 to 8 months in advance , with many sources recommending around 3 to 5 months ahead as optimal

• For Europe, the best deals are often found about 3 to 4 months (around 90 to 130 days) before departure

• For Mexico and the Caribbean, booking 1 to 2 months in advance is usually sufficient

• Starting to monitor prices 6 to 7 months ahead allows you to track fluctuations and book when prices drop

• For peak seasons and holidays, book even earlier-up to 4 to 10 months ahead for international travel and 3 to 7 months for domestic travel

Holiday Travel

• Holiday flights are generally more expensive, so plan to book earlier than usual.
• For Thanksgiving, start searching in early October and book by early November

• For Christmas, start looking mid-October and book before late November

Additional Tips

• Set price alerts (e.g., Google Flights) to monitor fare changes and book when prices drop

• Airlines often allow free cancellation within 24 hours of booking in the U.S., giving some flexibility to rebook if prices fall

• Booking too far in advance (more than 6-8 months) can sometimes mean higher prices or limited flight options, especially with low-cost carriers

Summary Table

Trip Type| Optimal Booking Window| Notes
---|---|---
Domestic| 1 to 3 months (20-45 days ideal)| Avoid last-minute; fly midweek
International| 2 to 8 months (3-5 months typical)| Start monitoring 6-7 months out
Mexico/Caribbean| 1 to 2 months| Similar to domestic timing
Holiday Travel| 3 to 7 months (domestic), 4 to 10 months (international)| Book earlier for peak seasons

In essence, for most domestic flights, booking about 1 to 3 months in advance is best, while international flights require booking several months ahead to secure the lowest fares