In a nutshell: The holiday season is getting closer. For most people that means visiting family and friends, which is (usually) fun, but it often also means air travel, which is anything but fun. Google is taking some of the sting out of the process by analyzing years of Google Flights data to discover the lowest fares for Thanksgiving and Christmas flights in the US.
Google's Trends and tips for 2026 holiday travel highlights how many travelers are faced with the dilemma of buying plane tickets straight away or waiting to see if the price drops.
By aggregating five years of data from Google Flights, Google found that the lowest prices for domestic flights occur 39 days before departure, with a low price range of 21 to 57 days beforehand.
For international flights, the lowest prices hit 89 days before departure. There is a price drop between 50 and 133 days out, but it's insignificant.
Google also highlights the best booking times for specific holidays. Those going away for Thanksgiving should book 34 days before departure for the lowest prices, while the low range is 21 to 57 days beforehand.
The ever-popular Christmas travel period requires booking further ahead to secure a cheap flight: 56 days before departure, while the low range is 33 to 67 days.
So, according to Google, the best time to book a money-saving flight for Thanksgiving is around October 21-23. If you're going away for Christmas, somewhere around October 27-29 could get you the best deal.
Other breaks that Google looked at include trips to Mexico or the Caribbean – book these 43 days before departure (low price range is 24 – 69 days).
Going to Europe? Similar to general international travel, prices reach are there lowest 90 days out. The low-price range is 49 days or more before departure.
Finally, flights for spring break are cheapest 50 days before departure (low price range is 29 – 64 days) for trips in March or April. Prices for summer vacations hit their lowest point 21 days before departure (low price range is 20 – 47 days) for trips in July or August.
Google also writes that rumors you can get cheaper flights by purchasing them on specific days of the week are a myth, though Sunday is the most expensive day by a small margin.
However, the days and times you fly do matter. Flying out on Monday and returning on Tuesday or Wednesday can save you around 14% compared with weekend travel. For domestic trips, savings can reach 20% compared with departing and returning on Sundays. Choosing a connecting flight can also cut costs, as nonstop tickets cost 20% more on average.