Best Time to Book Flights for Better Prices
There is no magic day to book the cheapest flight, but there are patterns that reliably save money. Here is how to time your booking and the tools to track fares.
How far ahead to book
For domestic flights, booking one to three months ahead usually lands a good price; for international trips, two to six months. Booking far too early or at the last minute tends to cost more.
Be flexible with days
Midweek departures and off-peak dates are often cheaper than weekends and holidays. If your dates are flexible, compare a few days around your ideal window.
Fare alerts and tools
Set price alerts for your route and compare several sites, including the airline’s own. Check nearby or alternate airports, which can be noticeably cheaper.
Watch hidden costs
The lowest fare is not always the cheapest once baggage, seat selection and card fees are added. Compare the total price you will actually pay.
Before you book
- Fare alerts set for your route
- Compared across a few sites
- Nearby/alternate airports checked
- Midweek departures considered
- Baggage fees factored in
- Booked 1–3 months ahead (domestic) / 2–6 (international)
- Private browsing used
- Airline’s own site checked
Common mistakes
FAQ
How far ahead should I book?
One to three months for domestic and two to six for international is a good rule of thumb; set alerts and book when you see a fair price rather than gambling on a last-minute drop.
Do prices really change by day?
Fares shift with demand, not a fixed weekly schedule — flexibility and alerts beat trying to guess a "cheapest day".
