Google Flights Reveals Cheapest Time to Book Holiday Flights

As the holiday season approaches, travelers are wondering about the best time to book their flights. Google Flights has recently released updated booking trend analysis, along with a new feature called “cheapest time to book,” providing valuable insights for travelers seeking the lowest fares.

According to Bloomberg, this feature supplements the existing price tracking alerts and price guarantee option. Users can now see the time frame in which prices have typically been lowest for a specific search, helping them make informed decisions about when to book.

According to Google’s data, domestic flights for Christmas 2023 will have the lowest fares 71 days before departure. For example, if you plan to travel on December 21, it is advisable to purchase your flight as early as October 7. This new finding suggests that booking holiday flights sooner rather than later will result in significant savings.

Last year, holiday prices were lowest about 22 days before departure. However, this year’s data indicates a significant shift, with the lowest average prices for flights starting in mid-December available around 71 days before departure. This change is likely due to the surge in air travel this year, prompting travelers to book earlier to secure better deals.

NerdWallet also confirms Google’s findings, stating that the best time to book end-of-December flights is by mid-October. They further advise that Thanksgiving flights will likely be cheapest around mid-September. Waiting too long to book may result in higher prices, inconvenient layovers, or being forced to book basic economy with limited options.

To save on holiday travel, NerdWallet suggests starting to track prices early. They recommend turning on price tracking on your preferred booking platform to receive automatic email notifications when the flight you want goes down in cost. This way, you can stay updated on the best time to book and take advantage of lower fares.

For those interested in traveling to Europe during the holidays, don’t wait to book. Data from Google Flights indicates that the cheapest average prices for trans-Atlantic flights to Europe are available 72 days or more before departure. Waiting until the 10 weeks before departure may result in increased airfares. Considering booking on international budget airlines can also provide significant savings compared to legacy carriers.

In addition, Google Flights has shared the most-searched destinations for winter trips departing from U.S. airports between December 20, 2023, and January 5, 2024. The top spot goes to Cancun, Mexico, followed by Miami/Fort Lauderdale, London, New York, and Tokyo. Warm getaways and big cities dominate the list, indicating popular choices for holiday travel.