When & How to Book Cheapest Flights 2025

If you’re looking to save big on airfare, nailing down when is cheapest days to fly, the best time to book a flight, and smart strategies for how to book cheap flights can make all the difference. Let's analyze the key details, from when to book flights and flight booking tips.

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When to Book Cheap Flights - Month, Week, Day & Time Overview

Fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or in the morning/evening; Book domestic flights for 2 to 3 weeks and international flights for 4 to 8 weeks. And use tools like Trip.com to compare, set alerts and explore nearby airports. With these strategies, you will master how to book cheap flights and further stretch your travel budget.

How to Book Cheap Flights - 10 Tips on Trip.com

Now that you know the “when,” let’s see the “how” to book the lowest fare flights:

1. Use price comparison tools: Platforms like Trip.com flight allow you to compare prices of different airlines, filter by site, and even view nearby airports - all in one place. Their flexible date flight search can clearly display the ticket prices for a month, making it easy for you to find the cheapest days.
2. Use Trip Coins + Trip.com Air Miles: When booking flights on Trip.com, remember to log in to your account to accumulate air miles. These miles can be used to offset part of the cost in subsequent bookings or even exchanged for free air tickets.
3. Student Flights discounts: If you are a student, you can verify your identity in the student section of Trip.com to enjoy exclusive discounts. Many airlines partner with Trip.com to offer student flight discounts.
4. Trip.com Promo Codes offers a wide range of discounts. For instance, new users can enjoy up to 8% off when booking hotels. There are specific weekly offers on air and train tickets, as well as exclusive discounts to destinations such as India, AU,CA and more at different times. On Member Rewards Day, you can get 5% Trip Coins cashback when booking air tickets and hotels.
5. Last-minute flight ticket Search: Search last-minute flight ticket discounts to popular Asian cities and other popular cities around the world are provided.
6. Clear your cookies or use incognito mode: Some websites track your search and will increase the price if they find you interested. Quickly resetting your browser can help you avoid this situation.
7. Consider nearby airports: Flying to a smaller airport (for example, Oakland instead of San Francisco) can save you $50 to $100. Use Trip.com to search for all airports within 100 miles of your destination.
8. Set Price Alert: If you're not ready to make a reservation yet, you can set reminders on Trip.com or the airline's website. When the fare for your route drops, you will receive a notification so that you can make your move at the right time.
9. Mixed one-way tickets: Sometimes, booking 2 one-way tickets with different airlines is cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket. Compare the two options!
10. Avoid peak tourist seasons: Flying during off-peak seasons (such as spring or autumn in Europe) can save 30% or more in costs. Use Trip.com's seasonal guide to find the cheapest time to visit your destination.

When in Advance Should I Book a Flight? By Route Type

The ideal booking window varies based on where you’re going and the type of flight. Here’s a detailed guide:

Note: For remote destinations with limited flight options (e.g., Bora Bora, Easter Island, Svalbard), extend the standard booking window by 2–4 weeks—seats fill quickly due to reduced frequency.

What Are the Cheapest Days to Fly (Day of Week)?

The day of the week you choose to fly has a significant impact on the price. Generally speaking, Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly. Why? Airlines usually release new offers on Tuesdays. There is less demand for midweek flights as most passengers prefer short trips on weekends or Mondays/Fridays.

On the other hand, weekends are almost always more expensive. Saturdays and Sundays are peak travel periods for leisure travelers, so airlines will raise ticket prices to meet the demand. If you can postpone your trip by one or two days, taking a flight in the middle of the week can save you 10-20% on the airfare.

This model still holds true for international flights. But there is a problem: Thursday tickets can also be surprisingly cheap, especially for long-haul routes. Many international airlines adjust ticket prices during the week to remain competitive, so please check the prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

What’s the Best Time to Fly (Time of Day)?

Apart from one day, the time of the day you fly is also very important. Early morning flights (before 7 a.m.) and late-night "red-eye" flights (after 9 p.m.) are usually cheaper. These times are not very popular - who wants to drag themselves to the airport at 4 a.m.? So airlines lowered prices to fill the seats.

Besides, early flights are less likely to be delayed, so you won't miss connecting flights or overnight stays. If your budget is limited, avoid taking midday flights (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). This is the most convenient for travelers, so airlines will charge extra fees.

How Does Season Affect Flight Prices?

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Seasonal demand is one of the biggest drivers of air ticket price fluctuations. Its impact varies by destination and time of year. Let's take a few examples:

• Peak Season: This is the time when tourists flock to a destination, regardless of the weather, holidays or activities. For instance, in European cities like Paris or Rome, demand peaks from June to August (when the weather is warm and family vacations take place) and December (during the Christmas market), with ticket prices being 30-50% higher than during off-peak hours. Beach destinations such as Bali or the Caribbean are in their peak tourist season from December to April (when the weather is dry), while ski resorts like Aspen or the Alps are in their peak tourist season from January to February. During this period, airlines know that seats will be sold out, so prices will rise in advance and rarely fall.
• Off Season: This is a period with lower demand, usually associated with less favorable weather or less activity. For instance, in Tokyo, January to February is the off-season for tourism (cold and post-holiday off-season), and air tickets from the United States are 200 to 300 US dollars cheaper than those during the cherry blossom season (March to April). Similarly, flights from New York to London are cheaper from November to February (when it's cold and the days are short) than in summer. Off-peak ticket prices can be 20-40% lower, and airlines may even offer limited-time flash sales to fill up seats.
• Shoulder Season: The best time between peak and off-peak seasons, when the weather is still pleasant but there are few people. For instance, April to May in Greece (after winter and before summer crowds) or September to October in Hawaii (after summer, warm but not so humid). Off-season ticket prices are usually 10-20% lower than those in peak season, making it an ideal choice for balancing cost and experience.

Tip: Use Trip.com's seasonal fare guide to check when the off-season or off-season of your destination is. You will usually find the best combination of price and weather.

When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight? Domestic/International flights

Timing your booking right is just as crucial as picking the right day. Here’s the breakdown:

• Domestic flights: The best time is 2 to 3 weeks before departure. Booking tickets too early (more than two months in advance) is rarely helpful - airlines will initially offer a higher base fare and then adjust it according to demand. Waiting until the last minute (less than a week) is risky, but if the flight is not fully booked, ticket prices may plummet 3 to 5 days before departure.
• International flights: Book 4 to 8 weeks in advance for the best deals. Long-haul routes require more planning. Airlines usually offer discounts for early reservations 3 to 6 months before departure, but if there are still available seats, prices may drop again 1 to 2 months before departure.
• Seasonal exception: For peak periods such as holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving) or summer vacation, make reservations 3 to 6 months in advance. These dates were quickly filled up, and the wait guaranteed a higher price. During the off-season (such as January and February in Europe), you can wait for a while longer, and there might even be transactions within 1 to 2 months.

Do Flight Prices Drop on Holidays or Sales Events?

Yes, but it depends on the holiday and the airline. Here's what you need to know:

• Major sales events: Airlines usually hold promotional activities on Black Friday (late November), Cyber Monday and around the New Year. These offers can reduce the ticket prices of domestic and international routes by 20-50%, but the offers are time-limited (24-72 hours) and are only available on specific dates.
• Holiday travel: During peak holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Lunar New Year, air ticket prices will rise - the demand is very high, so it is necessary to book 3 to 6 months in advance. However, flights usually decline after holidays (such as from December 26th to 31st) because fewer people travel at that time.
• For airline sales: Many airlines have annual sales (for example, Southwest Airlines' "Want to Leave" offer and Emirates' birthday promotion). Sign up for their newsletter or follow them on social media to get reminders - these sales usually include flexible dates, making them perfect for open-ended plans.

Professional tip: Use Trip.com's "Deal" section to track holiday sales and limited-time promotions in one place.

Is It Cheaper to Book Round Trip or 2 One-Way Flights?

It depends on the route and the airline, but a mixed one-way ticket can sometimes save you money. Here are the methods for making a choice:

• Round Trip flights: Domestic flights and short-haul international routes (such as New York to Toronto) are usually cheaper. Airlines often bundle round-trip tickets with discounts, especially if you book directly through them.
• 2 One Way flights: More suitable for long-distance or multi-city trips. For instance, taking a Qatar Airways flight from London to Tokyo and then returning with an All Nippon Airways flight might be cheaper than taking a round-trip flight with a single airline. This also enables you to flexibly extend your stay or change your return date without paying a high fee.

Check both two options! Use Trip.com to compare the prices of round-trip and one-way tickets. Their search tool enables you to mix one-way tickets from various airlines and find the lowest combined price.

Short-Haul vs. Long-Haul Flights: Best Booking Time

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The length of your flight significantly impacts the best time to book, as airlines manage inventory and pricing differently for short and long distances.

When to Book Short-haul flights (under 4 hours)

This includes domestic routes (such as Los Angeles to Seattle) or regional international routes (such as London to Paris). The prices here fluctuate more greatly because airlines have frequent flights and can quickly adjust ticket prices to fill the seats.

• The best booking time is 1 to 3 weeks before departure. Booking in advance (such as more than two months in advance) is rarely helpful - airlines start with a higher "base fare" and then lower the fare based on demand.
• Last-minute opportunity: If a flight doesn't sell well, airlines usually offer a significant discount 1 to 3 days before departure. For instance, if the seats are empty, a flight from New York to Boston might be delayed by 48 hours. This is risky for necessary travel, but it is good for flexible travel.
• Price pattern: Ticket prices may soar on weekends (for more leisure travelers) and drop during the middle of the week, so check the booking situation from Tuesday to Thursday.

When to Book Long-haul flights (6+ hours)

These are intercontinental trips (e.g., Sydney to Los Angeles, Dubai to Toronto) with fewer daily flights and higher operational costs. Airlines plan these further in advance, so pricing is more stable but less forgiving of last-minute bookings.

• • Best booking window: 6–12 weeks for most routes, but it varies:
  • • Transatlantic (U.S. to Europe): 4–8 weeks out (prices dip as airlines release mid-range fares).
    • Transpacific (U.S. to Asia): 8–12 weeks out (longer lead times due to lower flight frequency).
    • Flights to remote destinations (e.g., Fiji, Iceland): 12+ weeks out, as there are fewer flights and seats fill fast.
  • Peak season exceptions: For holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year, Christmas), book 3–6 months early—long-haul flights to popular spots (e.g., Bangkok, Tokyo) sell out quickly, and prices rise steeply.
  • Price patterns: Fares are less likely to drop last minute, but you might find deals 2–4 weeks out if a flight is undersold. Use tools like Trip.com’s price trackers to catch these dips.

In short: Short-haul rewards flexibility and late bookings, while long-haul requires planning and early action—especially for hot destinations.

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