SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Google Flights is using historical airfare data to help travelers take some of the guesswork out of booking. The report points to specific days, booking windows and holiday periods that can help U.S. travelers avoid paying more than necessary.
The findings cover both domestic and international trips, with different advice depending on where and when you plan to fly.
Midweek departures and layovers can cut airfare costs
For travelers focused on the lowest ticket price, the report says Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to fly. Tuesday is the lowest-cost day overall, while Sunday is the most expensive.
Google says flying early to midweek can save about 13% compared with traveling on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The data also shows that flights with layovers are typically cheaper than nonstop options, with average savings of 22%.
Booking timing matters more for trip timing than for the day you buy
The report says there is not a strong cheapest day of the week to book. Tuesday bookings are only about 1.3% cheaper than Sunday, the most expensive day to purchase.
For domestic flights, fares are generally lowest 23 to 51 days before departure, with 39 days out the average low point. For international flights from the U.S., prices are usually lowest at least 49 days ahead, and Google says fares often begin rising within 50 days of departure.
Holiday and seasonal travel has its own booking windows
Google’s data gives separate advice for major travel periods. Thanksgiving domestic flights are usually cheapest 24 to 59 days out, with 35 days before travel as the best average booking point. Christmas travel is generally cheapest 32 to 73 days out, with 51 days out as the low point.
For spring break, the cheapest fares are typically available 28 to 61 days in advance. Summer domestic flights in July and August are usually cheapest 14 to 43 days out, with 21 days before departure as the average low point.
Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean follow different advance-purchase patterns
Google says flights from the U.S. to Europe are usually cheaper when booked 48 days or more before departure. For Mexico and the Caribbean, the best fares tend to fall between 26 and 79 days out, with 50 days before travel as the cheapest point.
The company also said its 2025 holiday search trends included Columbia, South Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Detroit, Michigan and Omaha, Nebraska among top domestic Thanksgiving destinations.
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