Best Day to Book Airline Tickets, According to Travel Expert

You bought some new luggagefound perfect hoteland agreed on the dates with yours group chat. Now it's time to look at flights. But when exactly is the best time to book a flight? And is there a day of the week when it is best to buy airline tickets? Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as you might think.

If you're trying travel on a budget. First, you need to think about the logistics of your trip: are you flexible with your date or airline? Do you fly abroad? This shoulder season? What worries you is that seat on the plane are you assigned? Depending on how you answer these questions, you will likely have a different answer about when to buy airline tickets.

To help, we spoke to several travel experts to find out what day is the best to buy flights, even if there is no such day. one is the right time to book your flight.

Experts featured in this article

Julia Saf travel expert and founder of Miss Tourist, a travel advice blog.

Stephanie Webb is a travel expert for SeeSightTours, a small group travel business.

Stefan Drescher is a travel specialist on a travel blog about Germany.

What is the best day to buy air tickets?

The answer is not as clear-cut as you might think. According to research from ExpediaThe travel website says Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to book flights. “Travelers who book on Sunday can save on average about 8 percent compared to those who book on Friday,” Expedia found.

But some travel experts disagree. “Tuesday afternoon is the best time to book flights,” says travel expert Julia Saf. “Airlines typically release weekend sale prices on Monday evening, which causes competitors to adjust prices by Tuesday afternoon, resulting in lower fares.” Travel expert Stephanie Webb agrees: “Tuesdays tend to be less busy for airlines and travel booking sites, allowing travelers to potentially find better deals.” When in doubt, if your schedule allows, do not book a flight on Friday or Saturday as these tend to be more popular travel days and are in higher demand.

When is the best time to book a flight?

If you have a specific date in mind, according to the Expedia report, domestic flights should be purchased “at least a month in advance” to save an average of 24 percent on costs, and international flights should be booked “about 60 days in advance.” However, many experts believe that international flights should be booked at least two months in advance.

Booking a morning or late evening flight may also work. “Booking flights at off-peak times, such as early morning or late evening, can sometimes result in lower prices due to reduced demand,” says Webb. But think of it this way: the earlier you book your flight, the more time you have to overtime monitor the price and adjust the flight as needed.

If you have a flexible travel schedule, experts recommend booking tickets for January or February, as these months “typically offer great deals as airlines run sales to stimulate post-holiday travel demand,” Webb says.

Tips to consider when booking flights

The more flexible you are, the better. This includes flexibility in your departure time and date, the airline you use, and more. In other words, if your schedule allows you to be flexible, don't worry if your airline is expensive for the dates you want to travel. Instead, consider other airline options and/or try to leave and return a day or two earlier than you originally wanted, says travel expert Stefan Drescher. Also, don't forget about connecting flights. Yes, it may take a little longer, but the savings are worth it, says Ben.

Invest in a travel credit card. Most major airlines offer credit cards specific to their airline, making it easier for you to earn miles and points. Even if booking a flight on one airline seems expensive for one vacation, you can earn points that can help make your next vacation less expensive.

Avoid booking travel during the holidays. Since most people want to travel when they are not working or studying, there is a higher demand for flights during holidays. For this reason, plan time for vacation outside of these periods of the year. Less demand for airfare will mean cheaper options for you.

Taylor Andrews is a senior editor at Popsugar magazine, specializing in topics including sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel and more. With eight years of editorial experience, Taylor has extensive experience in content creation and storytelling. Before joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.