In 2020, the average price for a domestic flight in the US dropped to an all-time low of $292. Since then, that number’s gone up, and if you’re traveling out of the country, then prices are definitely going to be much higher.
While you can afford to go on vacation, spending as little as you can on plane tickets puts more money in your pocket for fun things to do on your trip.
Knowing when to book flights can make or break your budget though. So read on to find out inside secrets to save some money!
When Are Flights Cheapest to Book?
No matter where you’re traveling, flights are always cheapest to book far in advance. Prices will rise sharply a few days before the flight, so avoid booking last minute.
Here’s some more info about domestic and international flights.
Domestic Flights
When is the best time to book a flight if you’re traveling within the US? On average, the cheapest prices appear a little over 2 months before a flight. However, this can differ depending on the season you’re going on vacation.
Booking 2 months in advance is optimal for summer travel, but for all other seasons, you’ll want to book 3 months out.
Also, the prices will be near their highest at release, which is a year in advance. So don’t book too early, or else you’ll be paying dearly for it.
International Flights
When is the best time to book flights for international travel? Well, that depends on where you’re going. Of course, buying tickets early will save you some money, but you’ll have to time it right.
For example, if you’re going to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada, nabbing tickets 2 months prior to departure is best. Here are some other general timelines for popular destinations:
- Central America: 0.5 to 3 months
- The Middle East: 1.5 to 5.5 months
- Africa: 3 months
- Asia and Europe: 4 months
No matter where you’re flying out to, make sure you buy tickets at least a month in advance. Anything past that, and prices will start rising.
Holiday Travel
You might want to catch some flight deals if you’re traveling for the holidays, as the prices will inevitably be expensive.
In general, if you’re trying to fly out for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, you’ll want to look for tickets in September. You can also buy tickets whenever you see (what seems to be) a good deal, but make sure you get free cancellation or at least credit for cancellations. That way, if you see better prices later on in the year, you can cancel and rebook without losing any money.
Know When to Book Flights to Save
Nailing when to book flights will save you tons of money. As a result, you’ll have more money to spend on sightseeing, eating, add buying souvenirs. So plan early and you’ll get rewarded for your efforts!
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