The Best Days of the Week to Book a Flight: Your Complete Guide to Flight Savings

TL;DR: Tuesday and Wednesday emerge as the best days to book flights, while Sunday offers strong savings for international travel (6-17%). However, when you fly matters more—choose Saturday, Tuesday, or Wednesday for travel days. The “Tuesday myth” isn’t entirely dead, but focus on flying midweek and booking 1-3 months ahead for domestic flights.

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Planning your next vacation or business trip inevitably leads to countless questions: When should I book my flight to get the best deal? Which days are cheapest to fly? Do flight prices really drop on Tuesdays? Should I wait for last-minute deals or book months in advance?

The internet is flooded with conflicting advice about magical booking days, secret times, and insider tricks. Some swear by Tuesday bookings, others claim Wednesday is key, and your travel-savvy friend insists on checking prices at exactly 3 AM.

The truth? While some patterns exist, most rigid “rules” are myths rooted in outdated practices. Let’s dive into what current data actually tells us about flight booking, debunk persistent myths, and share strategies that really work in 2025.

Table of Contents

1. The Battle of the Best Booking Days
2. Do Flight Prices Really Drop on Tuesdays?
3. When You Fly Matters More Than When You Book
4. How Far in Advance Should You Book?
5. Should You Wait for Last-Minute Deals?
6. Does the Time of Day Matter When Booking?
7. Are There Specific Months When Flights Are Cheaper?
8. Best Tools for Tracking Flight Prices
9. Understanding How Airlines Set Prices
10. Do Airlines Release Special Sales on Certain Days?
11. Common Booking Myths Debunked
12. Practical Recommendations for Smart Booking
13. Additional Money-Saving Strategies
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. The Bottom Line: Your Flight Booking Strategy
16. Need Reliable Ground Transportation for Your Trip?

The Battle of the Best Booking Days

The research reveals an interesting split in expert recommendations. Sunday has emerged as a strong contender for the third consecutive year, with Expedia’s 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report showing that domestic travelers can save 6% while international travelers can save 17% compared to booking on a Monday or Friday.

However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are consistently highlighted as the best days to book flights by multiple sources, including studies from Google Flights, Hopper, and other travel platforms. Airlines often release fare updates and discounts early in the week, creating a window on Tuesday and Wednesday when prices are at their lowest.

Here’s how the week typically breaks down for booking:

Day	Typical Price Trend
Monday	Prices start high after weekend demand
Tuesday	Fare drops begin; new discounts released
Wednesday	Often the lowest average prices of the week
Thursday	Prices begin to rise
Friday	More expensive due to weekend demand
Saturday	Prices may drop slightly, but not consistently
Sunday	Popular for planning, so prices can spike

The bottom line: Both Sunday and midweek (Tuesday-Wednesday) show advantages, but the savings are modest. We’re talking about percentage points, not massive discounts that will transform your travel budget.

Do Flight Prices Really Drop on Tuesdays?

For years, travel wisdom held that Tuesday was the magical day for booking cheap flights. This advice stemmed from the early days of online booking when airlines used to manually post their new fares at a certain time of day each week, often Tuesdays at 1pm.

However, recent data suggests the Tuesday advantage isn’t entirely mythical—it’s just evolved. Multiple sources, including studies from Google Flights, Hopper, and Expedia, confirm that airlines often release fare updates and discounts early in the week, creating opportunities on Tuesday and Wednesday when prices are at their lowest.

The confusion arises because different studies show different results. According to an analysis from Google Flights, there’s been a negligible 1.9% savings when booking midweek versus weekends over the past five years. Yet other travel platforms continue to find Tuesday-Wednesday advantages in their data.

The verdict: Tuesdays can offer savings, but it’s not a guarantee. The pattern exists but isn’t reliable enough to wait for Tuesday if you find a good deal on another day, as travel experts note.

When You Fly Matters More Than When You Book

Here’s where you can actually save significant money: choose your travel days strategically. Which days of the week are the cheapest to actually fly? The answer consistently points to midweek and Saturday departures.

Domestic Flights:

• Cheapest days to fly: Saturday flights are, on average, 17% cheaper than Sunday flights according to Hopper data. Tuesday and Wednesday are also excellent choices for midweek travel
• Most expensive days: Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days to fly, as they coincide with peak travel demand
• Weekend vs. midweek: Are weekend flights always more expensive? Not quite—Saturday can be cheaper than Friday or Sunday, but midweek (Tuesday-Wednesday) consistently offers the best value

International Flights:

• Cheapest days to fly: Wednesday and Saturday departures tend to offer the lowest fares for international trips
• Thursday advantage: Thursday is also the cheapest day to fly internationally—travelers can save 15% compared to flying on a Sunday
• Avoid peak days: Fridays and Sundays command premium prices due to higher demand

How Much Can You Save by Being Flexible?

Being flexible with your travel dates can save you hundreds of dollars. Shifting your departure and return dates by just a day or two can result in savings of 15-20% or more on your total airfare cost.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

When to book is often more important than what day you book. Here’s what the data shows:

Domestic Flights:

• Optimal window: Book between 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights, with the sweet spot being 28-35 days before departure according to Expedia
• Minimum advance: Book your ticket at least 21 days before departure, since airlines have policies that will substantially raise the price of airfare for trips taking place after that deadline
• Early booking advantage: Booking domestic flights 1-3 months in advance can save you 25% compared to last-minute bookers

International Flights:

• Best window: International flights are typically best booked 2-8 months in advance, with most experts recommending 4-5 months ahead
• Alternative strategy: Some data suggests booking international flights just 18-29 days before departure can save up to 17% versus booking three months out or more
• Peak season exception: For holidays and summer travel to Europe, book 9-12 months in advance

Holiday Travel:

• Peak seasons: For holidays, book 90 to 120 days in advance, and for summer travel, it’s best to book as early as possible — ideally, at least six months ahead

Should You Wait for Last-Minute Deals?

The short answer: No. While last-minute deals occasionally exist, especially for budget airlines or during flash sales, airlines typically raise prices closer to departure to capture business travelers who have less flexibility.

Exception: If you’re using airline miles, many airlines release award seats up until the day of departure, making last-minute bookings with miles more viable than cash purchases.

Does the Time of Day Matter When Booking?

Generally, no—but there are slight patterns. Some data suggests that booking flights in the early morning (5 AM–9 AM) can sometimes yield better deals, as airlines often adjust fares overnight. However, this isn’t consistent enough to set your alarm for.

For shorter trips within the UK, 4:00 AM is reported as the best time to book flights according to some studies, but the savings are typically minimal and not worth the inconvenience for most travelers.

Are There Specific Months When Flights Are Cheaper?

Yes! Seasonal patterns are much more reliable than daily booking patterns:

• Cheapest month overall: August is typically the cheapest month to fly, offering savings of up to 12%
• Most expensive month: March is generally the most expensive month for travel
• Shoulder seasons: September-November and January-March (excluding holidays) often offer the best deals
• Summer premium: June-August sees higher prices due to vacation demand, with July seeing 65% more flights than February

Interestingly, despite these seasonal fluctuations, airfare prices have been surprisingly affordable in 2025 compared to previous years, making it an excellent time to travel regardless of when you book.

Best Tools for Tracking Flight Prices

Can fare prediction tools and alerts help you find the lowest price? Absolutely! Here are the most effective tools:

Price Alert Apps:

• Google Flights: Excellent price tracking and date grid features
• Hopper: Uses AI to predict price trends and tells you when to book
• Skyscanner: Good for international routes and “everywhere” searches
• Kayak: Reliable alerts and price forecasting

For a comprehensive breakdown of the best airline travel apps with detailed reviews and features, check out our guide to the top 5 airline travel apps that can transform your booking experience.

Pro Tips for Price Tracking:

• Set up alerts for multiple date ranges, not just specific dates
• Use the “whole month” view to spot patterns
• Track prices for 2-3 weeks before booking to understand the route’s pricing rhythm

Understanding How Airlines Set Prices

Understanding why booking day myths persist requires grasping how modern airline pricing actually works. Airlines use complicated algorithms to set their pricing, which weigh up determining factors including the nature of the airline, the itinerary, and the cabin class.

The decisions are being made by an algorithm that adjusts fares by using information including past bookings, remaining capacity, average demand for certain routes and the probability of selling more seats later.

This means prices change constantly—sometimes multiple times per day—based on real-time factors like:

• Current demand for the route
• Competitor pricing
• Remaining seat inventory
• Historical booking patterns
• Seasonal trends
• External events (weather, holidays, major events)

The price of a plane ticket is constantly changing based on current demand for a flight, the number of seats available, and the timing of booking.

Do Airlines Release Special Sales on Certain Days?

Airlines don’t follow the old pattern of releasing sales on specific days like they used to. However, some patterns still exist:

• Early week releases: Some airlines do announce sales early in the week (Monday-Tuesday)
• Holiday sales: Major sales often coincide with shopping holidays like Black Friday or Cyber Monday
• Flash sales: These can happen any day but are typically announced via email or social media
• Mistake fares: These incredible deals can appear at any time and usually sell out quickly

Common Booking Myths Debunked

Myth 1: Clear Your Cookies/Use Incognito Mode

Does booking on mobile vs. desktop affect the price? No. There’s no evidence that airlines behave that way. Numerous studies by booking companies have shown that there is no variance in pricing when you use incognito mode or different devices. Airlines aren’t tracking your searches to raise prices.

Myth 2: Last-Minute Deals Are Common

While this may have worked long ago, airfare pricing has changed dramatically. Airlines typically raise prices closer to departure to capture business travelers who have less flexibility.

Myth 3: There’s a Magic Time of Day to Book

Perhaps you have a cousin who claims he found a great deal when he checked on airfare prices at 12:01 a.m. on a Wednesday. There’s just no truth to those legends—prices change based on demand algorithms, not clock watching.

Practical Recommendations for Smart Booking

Based on the comprehensive research, here are the most effective strategies:

For Booking Days:

• First choice: Book on Tuesday or Wednesday for the best chance at lower fares
• Sunday alternative: Consider Sunday for international bookings, where savings can reach 17%
• Avoid: Fridays and Saturdays when booking, as demand-driven pricing tends to be higher

For Travel Days:

• Domestic flights: Fly on Saturday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to maximize savings
• International flights: Wednesday and Saturday departures offer the best value
• Avoid: Flying on Fridays and Sundays whenever possible—these are consistently the most expensive days

Why These Patterns Exist:

• Airlines often adjust fares in response to competitor pricing and to fill seats on less popular travel days
• Midweek days see fewer travelers, so airlines lower prices to entice bookings
• Weekends and Mondays are peak times for both booking and flying, leading to higher prices due to demand

Additional Money-Saving Strategies

1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Shifting your departure and return dates by just a day or two can save you hundreds of dollars. Use tools like Google Flights’ date grid to visualize price differences across different days.

2. Fly at Off-Peak Times

Often, you’ll get the best deal on a flight leaving at 6 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. Depending on the price differences, it can be worth getting up at 4 a.m. to save some cash. The same goes for red-eye flights, which are often the cheapest flights of the day.

3. Consider Alternative Airports

Check nearby airports (e.g., flying into Oakland instead of SFO or BWI instead of DCA) for lower fares.

4. Monitor Prices and Set Fare Alerts

Rather than obsessing over booking on specific days, set a price alert on the travel search engine of your choice — whether it’s Google Flights, Hopper, Skyscanner or Kayak. They’ll send you an email when they see the price drop, allowing you to catch sudden fare reductions regardless of the day.

5. Time Your Booking Window Properly

For domestic flights, aim to book 1-3 months in advance. For international travel, book 2-8 months ahead, with 4-5 months being the sweet spot for most destinations.

6. Consider Direct vs. Connecting Flights

What is the difference between direct and nonstop flights, and does it affect the price? Direct flights (one plane, possible stops) and nonstop flights (no stops) are usually more expensive than connecting flights, but they save time. Connecting flights can offer significant savings, especially on international routes.

7. Leverage Credit Card Benefits

Are there benefits to using certain credit cards? Many travel credit cards offer:

• Price protection (refunds if prices drop after booking)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Bonus miles/points for airline purchases
• Travel insurance coverage

8. Understand Cancellation Policies

What are the cancellation and refund policies if I book early? Most airlines now offer flexible cancellation policies, especially for main cabin tickets. Many allow free cancellations within 24 hours of booking, and some offer free changes for domestic flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there additional fees I should watch for when booking?

Yes! Watch out for:

• Baggage fees (checked and sometimes carry-on)
• Seat selection fees
• Change/cancellation fees
• Credit card processing fees (some budget airlines)

How do airline loyalty programs influence the best time to book?

How does booking with frequent flyer miles affect timing? Miles bookings work differently:

• Airlines release award seats in increments (11 months out, 6 months out, last minute)
• Award availability is often better far in advance or very close to departure
• Miles can be especially valuable during peak seasons when cash prices are highest

What about travel advisories or restrictions?

Always check:

• COVID-19 or health requirements for your destination
• Visa requirements and processing times
• State Department travel advisories
• Airline route changes or suspensions

These factors can impact both availability and pricing, especially for international travel.

The Bottom Line: Your Flight Booking Strategy

The airline industry has evolved far beyond simple weekly patterns. The reality is that flight prices can change at any time, driven by sophisticated algorithms that consider hundreds of variables.

While Sunday currently shows a statistical edge for booking, the difference is modest. Your energy is better spent on:

1. Flying on less popular days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday)
2. Booking in the optimal time window (3-8 weeks for domestic, 3-6 months for international)
3. Being flexible with dates and times
4. Using price tracking tools rather than manual checking
5. Considering total trip costs including hotels and activities

Remember: The lowest fares and best sales don’t just happen on one day of the week – we find cheap flights, mistake fares, and unadvertised award sales every single day of the year.

Focus less on gaming the system with mythical booking days and more on smart, flexible travel planning. The best flight deal is simply the one you find when you’re ready to book it.

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Want to stay updated on the latest flight deals? Set up price alerts with Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner, and let technology do the heavy lifting while you focus on planning your next adventure.

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Once you’ve booked that perfect flight using these strategies, don’t forget about getting to the airport! Central Jersey Transportation (CJT) provides premium airport transfer services throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania with professional drivers, flight monitoring, and transparent pricing. Visit Central Jersey Transportation to book your stress-free airport ride today.