When should you book flights to get the best price? You’ve probably heard advice like “always book on a Tuesday” or “the earlier, the better”—but the reality is more nuanced. Airlines use dynamic pricing, which means the best time to book depends on the route, season, and how flexible you are.
This guide breaks down typical booking windows, how far in advance to book domestic and international flights, and practical strategies you can use on any route.
Key Takeaways (So You Don’t Have to Guess)
- Domestic flights: Often cheapest around 1–3 months before departure.
- International flights: Often cheapest around 2–6+ months before departure, depending on the region.
- Peak seasons and holidays: Book earlier than usual (and expect higher prices overall).
- Flexibility: Being flexible with dates, airports, and times saves more money than any “magic day of the week.”
Why Flight Prices Change Constantly
Airlines use complex algorithms that adjust prices based on:
- How many seats are sold vs. unsold
- Demand trends for your route and dates
- Competitor pricing
- Season, holidays, and major events
- How far in advance travelers usually book
Because of this, there is no single perfect day that works for every route—but there are patterns you can use to your advantage.
Best Time to Book Domestic Flights
For many domestic routes, the “sweet spot” is often:
- 21 to 60 days before departure for average demand routes
- 60 to 90 days before departure for busy routes or peak seasons
Booking extremely early (6–9 months out) doesn’t always give you the lowest price. Airlines often release tickets at a moderate fare, then adjust closer to departure as they see how the flight is filling up.
When to Avoid Booking Domestic Flights
- Last-minute (0–7 days): Prices are often highest unless there’s an unusual sale.
- Just before major holidays: If you wait too close to dates like Thanksgiving or Christmas, fares can skyrocket.
Best Time to Book International Flights
International flights usually require more advance planning. Typical windows:
- Europe: Around 2–5 months before departure for shoulder seasons; 4–8 months for peak summer.
- Asia: Around 3–6 months before departure for major cities.
- Latin America: Around 2–5 months before departure, depending on the route and season.
- Long-haul holiday periods: Book earlier than you think—up to 6–9 months in advance for Christmas/New Year or special events.
Routes with limited competition or only a few airlines may require earlier booking to secure reasonable fares.
Does the Day of the Week Matter?
In the past, people often said that Tuesday or Wednesday was the best day to buy flights. Today, with sophisticated pricing systems, the exact purchase day is less important than:
- How far in advance you book
- Whether you are traveling on peak vs off-peak days
- How flexible you are with dates and airports
However, midweek departures (Tuesday, Wednesday, sometimes Saturday) can be cheaper than Fridays and Sundays on many routes because fewer people want to fly then.
Understanding Peak vs Off-Peak Seasons
Seasonality has a huge impact on the best time to book:
- Peak season: School holidays, summer in popular regions, major festivals, and big events.
- Shoulder season: The months just before or after peak season (often the best mix of price and weather).
- Off-peak: Times when fewer tourists travel—can mean much cheaper flights and hotels.
For peak season trips, book earlier than usual and don’t expect ultra-cheap last-minute deals. For shoulder and off-peak travel, you often have more flexibility and more chances to grab sales.
How Far in Advance Is “Too Early”?
Booking 10–12 months in advance is not always cheapest. Early fares can be:
- Moderate starting prices with room for discounts later
- Higher if the airline expects strong demand
A practical approach:
- Start watching prices once your dates are roughly decided.
- For international trips, set alerts 6–8 months ahead and be ready to buy 3–6 months ahead when a good fare appears.
- For domestic trips, watch from around 3–4 months ahead and aim to buy in the 1–3 month window.
Use Price Ranges, Not Exact Magic Numbers
Instead of fixating on one magic number (like “always 54 days before”), think in ranges and look for prices that:
- Are clearly lower than what you’ve been seeing in previous weeks
- Match or beat what similar travelers report for your route
- Fit within your budget, even if they are not the absolute lowest historically
Once you see a good fare within the ideal booking window, it’s usually better to book than to wait endlessly for a perfect deal that may never appear.
Strategies to Consistently Find Cheaper Flights
1. Be Flexible with Dates
Shifting your trip by even 1–3 days can significantly change the price. Use flexible date searches to compare:
- Departing midweek instead of Friday or Sunday
- Flying early morning or late-night instead of peak times
- Leaving a few days earlier or later than your ideal date
2. Consider Nearby Airports
Major cities often have multiple airports. Check whether:
- A different departure airport in your region has lower fares
- A nearby arrival airport serves the same area with cheaper options
Just make sure you factor in transportation costs and time to/from alternative airports.
3. Watch for Sales and Promo Periods
Airlines and online agencies regularly run limited-time sales. To take advantage:
- Subscribe to newsletters or deal alerts
- Follow airlines and travel brands on social media
- Check prices when you hear about seasonal promotions
4. Use Fare Alerts
Instead of checking manually every day, set up price alerts for your route. When prices drop into your target range, you’ll receive a notification so you can act quickly.
5. Avoid Unnecessary Add-Ons
Sometimes the ticket itself is cheap, but extra fees add up. Compare total cost including:
- Checked baggage and sometimes carry-on fees
- Seat selection, priority boarding, and other extras
- Airport transfers and travel time for different airports
When Last-Minute Booking Works (and When It Doesn’t)
Last-minute deals are less common than before, but can still appear in some situations:
- Package deals combining flights and hotels
- Low-cost carriers trying to fill remaining seats
- Off-peak routes with weak demand
However, for holidays, school breaks, or popular business routes, last-minute tickets are usually much more expensive. If your dates are fixed, it’s safer to book earlier.
Simple Booking Timeline Cheat Sheet
- Domestic flights: Start checking 3–4 months ahead; book 1–3 months ahead for typical routes.
- International flights: Start checking 6–8 months ahead; book 3–6 months ahead for most long-haul routes.
- Peak holidays and major events: Book as early as you can once your dates are confirmed.
These are guidelines, not strict rules, but they give you a realistic starting point for planning.
Tip: Decide in advance what a “good price” looks like for your route. When you see a fare at or below that level within the ideal booking window, book it instead of waiting for a maybe-better deal.
Once you’ve chosen your travel dates and target price, you can use BookingBe to compare options across airlines and agencies and lock in the best available fare for your trip.