Now that weâre a few weeks into January, the resolutions have been written and the vision boards made, which means itâs time to put some of those goals into action. If youâre anything like me, you covered your 2025 inspo board with photos of beautiful beaches, glamorous city nights, and mountain getaways, but (unfortunately) visualization alone isnât going to pay for your plane ticket. To make sure these trips make it out of the group chat and into reality, youâll need to plan ahead to get the best flight price. Here are the insider tricks you need to know, including the best time to book flights, depending on where youâre headed.
The Best Time to Book Flights in 2025
For Domestic Travel
Procrastinators, listen up. As tempting as it is to pack your bag on a whim and catch the first flight out, itâs not a cost-effective way to travel. It pays to think aheadâliterally. According to research from Google, the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 38 days before your trip. You’ll generally see the lowest prices between 21 to 52 days before takeoff, so there is some wiggle room, but don’t leave it to the last minute.
To save even more money on flights, you might want to reconsider how you plan trips in the first place. Itâs common to decide on the destination first, the dates second, and the flights third, but if youâre flexible with when and where youâre going, you can choose your future vacay based on the cheapest plane tickets. Your bank account will thank you, and you can focus more of your budget on the actual vacation, not just getting there.
For International Travel
If youâre traveling internationally, youâll want to book your tickets even earlier in advance. To get the cheapest prices, book around three months before departure, when Google’s data shows average prices have been lowest. The general recommendation is to book an international flight at least 50 days before your trip. If you wait much longer, you can expect prices to rise as your trip gets closer.
However, where you’re traveling can impact exactly how early you should book. If you’re going to Europe from the U.S., flights are cheapest 94 days from departure, with a low price range of 50 days or more from your trip. For flights from the U.S. to Mexico or the Caribbean, you can wait a little longer to book. Expect prices to be lowest 44 days before departure, with the low price range 26 to 68 days out. Just remember: The earlier in advance you book, the more time you’ll have to plan your trip itinerary and pack your outfits.
And of course, when you plan to travel is just as important as when you book. If youâre dreaming about sipping an Aperol spritz in Italy this summer or living out your The Holiday fantasy by spending Christmas in London, you might want to look at traveling in May or January instead. Flights are most expensive around peak travel dates, including mid-June through mid-August and around Christmas and New Yearâs. Shoulder season can be a much cheaper time to travel, so keep that in mind while planning.
Other Ways to Save Money on Travel in 2025
Read on for even more tricks to make your trip as budget-friendly as possible. From booking to boarding, youâll know you got the best price and have that much left in your travel budget to spend when you get there.
1. Book your flight on a Tuesday
Tuesday is historically the cheapest day of the week to buy plane tickets, so if youâre planning an upcoming trip, add booking a flight to your Tues to-do list. If you’re so busy during the week that you can’t even fathom adding another thing to your plate, it’s not the end of the world. It’s only 1.3% cheaper to book on Tuesday than it is on the most expensive day, Sunday. So, while it may save you some cash, it probably won’t make or break your budget.
2. Fly out on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday
As far as your actual flight dates, the cheapest day to travel is generally the first half of the week when travelers save an average of 13% compared to those who travel on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, according to Google. If you don’t count international flights, the potential savings rise to 20%. And if youâre worried about flight delays or cancellations, consider snagging an early departure time. While no one loves an early morning flight, flights after 3 p.m. have a higher chance of cancellations than those earlier in the day. Get to bed early the night before and dream about all the money youâre saving, and that early alarm wonât be quite as painful.
3. Track flight prices
Another way to stay on top of savings is to track flight prices on platforms like Google Flights or Hopper. Google Flights allows you to monitor the prices of specific flights and set up notifications for when prices drop. Similarly, Hopper is a travel booking app that tracks flight prices, hotel rooms, and car rentals all in one place, so you know youâre getting the lowest price available. No one likes random spam emails, but signing up for airline email lists is another great way to stay notified when flash sales or deals occur.
4. Opt for flights with layovers
Sitting around at the airport for a few hours with a layover probably isn’t your idea of fun, but if your main concern is saving money, it’s definitely the way to go. On average, nonstop flights are 25% more expensive than flights with layovers. Sure, it may take a little longer to get to your destination, but as long as you have some entertainment ready, the savings could be worth it.
5. Pack efficiently
The potential for savings doesnât end when you find the perfect ticket. Getting savvy with your packing can also help you cut travel costs. No one wants to pay checked bag fees, and chances are you wonât wear half the things you swear you need anyway. Opting for a carry-on avoids unnecessary extra charges and makes lugging your things around much easier, especially if youâre on a multi-city trip.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readersâ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itinerariesâand everything in between. When she isnât testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.
