To plan the perfect trip, you want to find the cheapest airfare possible. Thankfully, the Google fights team examined five years’ worth of ticket price data from August 1, 2017, to August 1, 2022, to help you save money on your next flight. So, here is how to find a cheap flight every time:
What is the cheapest day to fly?
Google Flights reports that international flights are 12% cheaper on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday than on weekends. Domestic airfare can be up to 20% off on these dates.
What is the ideal number of days before booking a flight?
Google Flights says: “For U.S. domestic flights, prices have usually been their lowest 21-60 days out, with average prices bottoming out 44 days before departure. But keep in mind that these patterns may not hold true for your specific route, so planning and booking early is usually a good idea (this also applies to the other scenarios listed below).”
What is the cost difference between a non-stop and a layover?
A nonstop flight costs 20% more than a layover, but flights with stops increase the risk of interruptions and cancellations. CNBC reports you can spend $500 – $1000 if this happens. If you need to find a cheap flight, consider one with a layover.
What are the best times to fly?
Examining airfares from the past five years, Google Flights suggests the following “best times” to book flights:
When should I book my flight?
| Flights | Suggested Booking Window | Cheapest Airfare |
| Thanksgiving | 36 to 74 days out | 52 days out |
| Christmas | 20 to 88 days out | 22 days out |
| Spring Break | 23 to 59 days out | 38 days out |
| Summer Vacation (July/August) | 14 to 44 days out | 21 days out |
| From U.S. to Europe | 50 to 179 days out | 129 days out |
| From U.S. to Mexico or the Caribbean | 37 to 87 days out | 59 days out |
Source: Google Flights
What are other ways I can save on my flight?
If you have flexibility with your travel, take advantage of your search engine’s “date grid” function to determine the cheapest day to fly within a week and “price graph” for a specific duration of time.
Also, hit the search engine “price tracking” button because it’s a valuable tool to notify you via email about price changes along the desired route without having to search again for the same flight.
What are other cheap flight alternatives?
If you don’t have to check in luggage and have a one-way destination, try Skiplagged.com, a hidden-city ticketing technique. Priceline.com has non-refundable express deals that include discounted rates that don’t disclose the airline’s name. Southwest.com has a low-fare calendar where you can book a flight if you have flexible travel dates.
