There will be six more weeks of winter if Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction this Groundhog Day comes true, which may have those in colder climes thinking about planning an escape to someplace warm and sunny. But when is the best time to book a flight? What day of the week should you travel to save money?
Fortunately for those asking those questions, Expedia has come to the rescue with its 2025 Air Hacks Report published recently. Researchers at the “all-in-one travel company” debunked some common myths and uncovered strategies based on data that will save travelers money.
When is the best time to book a flight?
Airline ticket prices are constantly changing as they adjust to real-time demand. However, for a third year in a row, Expedia found that booking on a Sunday can result in savings of 6% on domestic flights and 17% on international flights compared to buying your tickets on a Monday or Friday.
What day of the week should you travel to save money?
If you are flexible in your travel schedule, flying out on a Thursday instead of a Sunday can also save you 17% on the cost of your flight regardless of fare class and destination. Broken down between domestic and international flights, departing on Saturday in the case of the former can result in 17% cheaper tickets compared to Sunday. As far as the latter, Thursday departure instead of Sunday can lower the ticket price by 15%.
Tips to save money on airfare in 2025
Most people believe that August is the most expensive time to travel but Expedia says that isn’t so. In fact, when traveling domestically, flying in August is 12% cheaper than in February. International flights in August are 7% cheaper than in March.
So you had better get those prices locked in now, right? Wrong. “The sweet spot is closer to departure than you think,” says Expedia. You can save 25% by booking a domestic flight 1 to 3 months in advance compared to those who wait until the last minute.
Those planning to book an international flight on the other hand can save up to 17% by booking 18 to 29 days before flying out compared to booking 3 months in advance. But keep in mind that “waiting too long to book can be a high-risk, high-reward strategy,” warns Expedia.