Skip to flight search Skip to main content

When is the Best Time to Book Flights?

Where from?

Where to?

Dates

Passengers & Class

Discover the Best Time to Book Flights

Knowing the best time to book flights can help you plan and avoid price hikes as your travel dates approach. By booking in advance, you can save on your next trip and enjoy a smoother travel experience.

The general rule is to book domestic flights at least 30 days in advance and for international flights 60 days ahead of time to secure the best deals. However, these trends are always changing. For high-season travel periods such as summer and the holiday seasons, it’s recommended to book even earlier.

Flights become available for booking around a year in advance, and ticket prices can change frequently from when they first open for booking until the departure date. We recommend you search for your flights as early as possible so you can keep an eye on your flight prices.

When is the Best Time to Book Domestic Flights?

For domestic travel, ticket prices are generally high when they're first released, about a year before the flight date. The cost of these tickets will gradually decrease, reaching their lowest level within the booking window. After this period, you may see a rise in the cost of last-minute travel.

Sometimes flights become cheaper as the departure date approaches, allowing you to secure last-minute deals. This often happens when airlines want to fill empty seats on the plane, they are likely to lower the flight price to encourage people to buy tickets.

The best time to book domestic flights is generally four weeks in advance. Booking around this time will grab a good deal on your flights. Using our search bar tool at the top of the page and staying flexible with your travel dates can also help you find the lowest flight tickets.

A plane's jet and wing in the sky above ice capped mountains

When is the Best Time to Book International Flights?

With international flights, you're better off booking earlier rather than later, ideally between one to three months before your flight departure date. The perfect time is around 60 days.

If you want to head off and explore Europe, then the winter months like January or February would be your best choice, or enjoy some sightseeing in America, September is the best month to book. You may want to travel across Southeast Asia, take part in the events and festivals and even witness the spring bloom, the best months are March through April.

When booking international flights, it’s worth taking into account to try to avoid booking your flights for high-season periods. These include summer and any holidays in the country you’re booking in.

Search and Book Affordable Flights with Alternative Airlines

Are you ready to book your flights? Here at Alternative Airlines, you can find the most affordable flights followed by a quick and easy booking process. Once you've decided the best time to book your flights, you'll have the choice to select from over 600 international airlines to anywhere in the world. To begin searching, use the search form at the top of this page.

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

FAQs

How far ahead should you book your domestic flights?

Domestic flight ticket prices are generally high when they're first released, about a year before the flight date. Prices typically decrease and reach their lowest around four weeks before departure.

How far ahead should you book your international flights?

Book international flights one to three months in advance, ideally around 60 days before departure. Avoid booking during high seasons, such as summer and holidays, for the lowest price. Being flexible with travel dates and using the search bar tool can also help you find the lowest price on your tickets.

Which month is best to book flights?

This depends on the country or region you're flying to but typically for Europe, January or February offers the best fares. For the US, if you want to enjoy some lovely weather then September is the best month while for Southeast Asia, March through April will allow you to enjoy the spring bloom and festivals.

Do flights go cheaper last minute?

Flights can sometimes become cheaper as the departure dates get closer, especially if airlines need to fill any remaining seats. However, this is not always the case, and booking in advance will help you secure the best fares.

When is the best time to book Christmas flights?

The best time to book your Christmas flights is between September and early October. Booking early helps you secure good deals before prices rise. However, sometimes booking closer to Christmas can also offer great deals, as airlines may lower prices to fill any remaining seats.