Before you book that vacation flight, see what Google Flights data says

The holidays are just around the corner and that means it’s almost time for that annual tradition of panicking over ridiculously expensive flights. But what if you could actually beat the system this year?

According to the latest from Google Flights traveloguethe service is essentially a cheat sheet for booking the cheapest flights you can. They’ve compiled years of data to uncover exactly the best times to buy your tickets, taking all the guesswork out of the equation.

Whether you’re a super planner or a last-minute scrambler, these findings reveal the clear patterns you need to know to avoid getting scammed. Before you book anything, you want to see this.

For more important travel tipsDiscover these travel essentials you need for every vacation, then check out this travel checklist. Also check out CNET’s roundup of the best headphones for travel.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add us as a favorite Google source in Chrome.

On which days is it cheapest to fly?

If you’re planning to book a flight, you’re probably trying to find the most budget-friendly option. The cheapest flights are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays Tuesday is the cheapest dayaccording to the historical flight data.

Flying early to midweek can save travelers about 13% on airfare compared to flying on Friday, Saturday or Sunday Sunday is the most expensive day to fly.

Can stopovers on flights save you money?

It may come as no surprise that flights with stops are cheaper than direct flights, but you may not realize how significant these savings can be.

This is evident from the data from Google Flights travelers can save 22% by booking a flight with a stopover instead of a non-stop flight.

On which day of the week is it cheapest to book flights?

There are certainly cheaper days flythere aren’t really cheaper days book. “It’s worth knowing that you won’t save much by booking on a certain day of the week,” the Google report said.

Tuesday is usually the cheapest day of the week to bookAccording to the data, bookings on Tuesday are only 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day, Sunday.

Is it cheaper to book flights far in advance?

To wait or not to wait? According to Google, it’s better to book your trip well in advance, especially if you have to fly on a specific day or time. There are some patterns you can analyze to decide whether it is better to wait for lower prices or book now based on specific scenarios, destinations and travel dates.

For domestic flightsprices are generally the lowest between 23 and 51 days before your trip – with 39 days Before departure is on average the cheapest day to book.

For international flightsprices are generally the lowest between 49 days or more before your trip, but it is generally best to book as early as possible. According to Google, “average prices do not drop significantly before departure, but typically start to increase within 50 days of the flight itself” for international travel from the US.

Also read: Google’s new AI flight deals tool works, but only if you’re an “anywhere, anytime” traveler

When is the best time to book a flight in each season?

Here’s what Google says about the best times to book holiday flights and holiday trips to certain popular destinations.

Thanksgiving: The cheapest domestic flights during the Thanksgiving holiday are usually available 24 to 59 days in advance, with 35 days being the cheapest. This means it’s best to book Thanksgiving flights in late September or early October.

Christmas: The cheapest domestic flights during the winter holidays are usually available 32 to 73 days in advance, with 51 days out being the cheapest. It is best to book Christmas or holiday flights from mid-October to mid-November.

Spring break: The cheapest domestic flights in March and April are available 28 to 61 days in advance, with 43 days before departure being the cheapest time to book on average.

Summer holidays: The cheapest domestic flights in July and August are usually available 14 to 43 days in advance, with 21 days before departure being the average cheapest day to book.

When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?

International flights to Europe from the US are usually cheaper 48 or more days before departure. As with all international travel, it is generally best to book as early as possible.

When is the best time to book a flight to Mexico or the Caribbean?

International flights to Mexico and the Caribbean are the only exception to the broader international trend, according to Google. That’s because flights are generally the lowest between 26 and 79 days in advance 50 days from the cheapest.

What are the top destinations for leisure travel in 2025?

Google also released insights on the most searched destinations for each holiday for the 2025 season.

Thanksgiving: The top searched domestic destinations for trips departing between November 23 and November 30 are Columbia, South Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Detroit, MI; Omaha, Nebraska and more.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve: The most searched destinations for trips departing between the dates of December 21 and January 4 are Rio de Janeiro, St. Lucia, Marrakech, Curacao and more.

For more, check out CNET’s picks for the best travel credit cards in 2025. You can also explore the 12 travel essentials you should always pack and the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.