What’s the Best Time to Book a Flight for the Lowest Price?

Booking a flight can feel like a guessing game. One day the prices are low, the next day they’re sky-high. You refresh the page and wonder if you missed the best deal. So, what’s the best time to book a flight for the lowest price?

Let’s break it down. This guide will walk you through the smartest times to book, what days to avoid, and which tools you can use to catch the lowest fares. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to book flights like a pro—without overpaying.

1. The Golden Booking Window

Timing is everything when it comes to booking flights. Most travel experts agree there’s a “sweet spot” or golden window to book tickets. Here’s what you should know:

For domestic flights, the best time to book is 1 to 3 months before your departure date.

For international flights, try booking 2 to 8 months in advance.

Why does this window matter? Airlines release their tickets up to a year in advance, and prices start high. They slowly drop as the departure date approaches, then rise again when it’s too close to the flight.

You want to catch the prices right in the middle—after the initial drop but before the last-minute rush.

2. Avoid Booking Too Early or Too Late

It’s easy to think that booking a flight as soon as it becomes available is the best move. But that’s not always true.

Too Early

Booking 8+ months before a flight? You’re probably paying more than you need to. Airlines haven't adjusted prices for demand yet, so early fares are usually higher.

Too Late

Waiting until the last week? That’s risky. Prices jump fast, especially within 14 days of departure. If you wait too long, you’ll either pay a premium or miss out completely.

3. Best Days of the Week to Book Flights

You might have heard that booking flights on certain days can help you save money. That’s actually true—at least most of the time.

Best Days to Book: Tuesday and Wednesday

Flight prices often dip on Tuesday or Wednesday, usually because airlines adjust fares after the weekend. If you’re checking prices, try looking on these days for a better chance at deals.

Avoid Booking on Weekends

Airlines tend to raise prices on weekends when more people are online and planning trips. If possible, hold off on booking until the start of the week.

CHECK: https://www.flightofly.com

4. Best Days to Fly for Lower Fares

If you’re flexible with your travel days, you can save a lot just by flying on the right day.

Cheapest Days to Fly

Tuesday

Wednesday

Saturday

These are usually the least busy days for travel, and airlines drop prices to fill more seats.

Most Expensive Days to Fly

Frida

Sunday

These are popular travel days, especially for weekend getaways and business trips. Prices tend to spike.

5. Use Price Tracking Tools

Flight prices change constantly. Instead of checking every day, let technology do the work for you.

Here are some tools that track flight prices and send you alerts when prices drop:

Google Flights

Hopper

Skyscanner

Kayak

Set up alerts for your route, and these tools will notify you when there’s a price drop. That way, you can book when the price hits its lowest point.

6. Watch for Sales and Flash Deals

Airlines often run sales, but they don’t always announce them loudly. Signing up for airline newsletters and travel deal websites can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Websites like:

Scott’s Cheap Flights

SecretFlying

TheFlightDeal

These platforms find and post mistake fares and limited-time offers. If you’re flexible with dates and destinations, you can score some crazy-cheap flights.

7. Season Matters More Than You Think

Flight prices vary by season—and not just because of holidays. Here’s what you need to know:

Peak Season

Summer (June to August)

Winter Holidays (mid-December to early January)

Spring Break (March to April)

Prices during these times are always higher. Book early—ideally 3 to 6 months in advance—to get better deals.

Off-Peak Season

January to early March

Mid-September to early November

This is when flights are cheapest. Fewer people are traveling, and airlines lower prices to attract passengers. Booking during this time usually means better deals and less crowded airports.

8. Use the “Incognito Mode” Trick

Have you ever searched for a flight, refreshed the page, and seen a higher price? That’s because some travel sites use cookies to track your search behavior. They raise prices if they think you're serious about booking.

To avoid this:

Open a new incognito or private browser window before searching.

Clear your cookies or use a different device if you’ve searched the same flight a few times.

9. Don’t Ignore Budget Airlines

Full-service airlines are great, but budget airlines often offer the lowest fares. They might charge extra for bags or food, but if you pack light, you can save a lot.

Here are some popular low-cost airlines to check:

Southwest Airlines (U.S.)

Ryanair (Europe)

AirAsia (Asia)

JetBlue (U.S.)

EasyJet (Europe)

Just make sure you read the fine print and understand all fees before booking.

10. One-Way vs. Round-Trip: What’s Cheaper?

You might assume that round-trip flights are always cheaper—but that’s not always true.

Sometimes, two one-way tickets on different airlines can cost less than a round-trip ticket on a single airline. Use comparison tools like Google Flights or Momondo to check both options before booking.

11. Use Points and Miles if You Have Them

If you have airline miles or travel credit card points, don’t let them sit unused. You can use them to book flights or upgrade your seat. Check your frequent flyer account or card rewards portal to see what you can redeem.

Booking early with points is also important because award seats are limited.

12. Look Beyond the Obvious Routes

Direct flights are great, but connecting flights are usually cheaper. If you don’t mind a layover or two, you can often save a lot of money.

Use flight search engines with flexible route options. You may even be able to turn a long layover into a mini trip!

13. Book at the Right Time of Day

Prices can change throughout the day. Some studies suggest that booking flights in the early morning (around 5 AM – 7 AM) can result in lower fares.

Evenings and late nights may not always offer the best deals, especially on weekends.

Conclusion: Best Time to Book a Flight for the Lowest Price

Finding the lowest flight prices isn’t about luck—it’s about timing and strategy.

Here’s a quick recap:

Book 1–3 months ahead for domestic trips, 2–8 months for international.

Shop on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Fly on off-peak days like Tuesday or Saturday.

Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to track prices.

Be flexible with your travel dates and airports.

Act fast when you spot a good deal.

Now that you know the best time to book a flight for the lowest price, you’re ready to travel smarter and save more. Enjoy your trip, and may the skies be cheap and clear!