Is December a cheap month to fly?

If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, February is your best bet. Flights in January closely follow February for being most affordable. At the other end of the spectrum, December and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.



December is generally one of the most expensive months to fly, but it contains a "hidden" window of affordability during the first two weeks. From December 1st to roughly December 12th, fares are often quite low as demand dips between the Thanksgiving and Christmas rushes. However, once schools break for the holidays (typically around December 18th), prices spike dramatically, often doubling or tripling for popular routes. The most expensive days to fly are usually December 22nd, 23rd, and the days immediately following Christmas. If you are looking for a deal in late December, flying on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve can often save you 20-30% compared to the peak dates around them. To get the best rates for a December trip, travel experts in 2026 suggest booking international flights 3–4 months in advance (by August/September) and domestic flights at least 6–8 weeks out, specifically targeting mid-week departures to avoid the heavy weekend "festive" premiums.

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Tickets are also cheaper in August than during the December rush. For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February. But for international trips, you'll find the cheapest fare in August.

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Domestic airfare is averaging around $400 round-trip, which is down 12% from last year. The cheapest day to depart will be Dec. 19, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Leaving on a holiday itself can save 26%.

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The cheapest months to travel are:
  • November – early December.
  • Late January – March.


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The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance.

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As it's a busy time of year, December flight prices tend to go up in the days around Christmas. But if you're flexible with flight and trip duration, and you book well in advance, you can usually bag a brilliant deal.

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Is there a cheapest month to fly? If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, February is your best bet. Flights in January closely follow February for being most affordable. At the other end of the spectrum, December and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.

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Time your booking right
“For domestic flights, if you're talking peak season, it's about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.”

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For Christmas, deals are sparse with the least-expensive day to fly far ahead of the holiday on Dec. 18. Travelers who fly on Christmas Eve, however, can save nearly $120 compared to flying on Dec. 22, which is one of the most expensive days to fly for the holiday.

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The Busiest Travel Dates for Winter December 1 - The first day of December is a popular air travel date for those planning extended, even month-long, vacations. December 23 - This is the day before Christmas Eve, and people everywhere scramble to make it to their loved ones before the holiday.

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For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior. But the analysis cautions it may be cutting it close. AAA Mountain West Group spokesman Julian Paredes agrees waiting too long for low holiday airfares is risky for travelers.

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Set your calendar for early October For Christmas 2023, that means the typical low prices for airfare should occur around the first week of October through the end of the month. According to Google, Oct. 12 should have the lowest airfare for those who want to travel the Friday before Christmas (Dec. 22).

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Yes, Christmas Day is the best day to fly out of all the days in the weeks before and after the holiday — assuming you don't mind spending part of your holiday in the air. While airport crowds dramatically increase in the days before and after Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day crowds are light.

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Generally, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays are pricier, according to travel deal site FareCompare. Leisure travelers tend to fly on the weekends, either starting their vacations on Friday or taking a long weekend Friday to Sunday.

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There's no sugarcoating it: Airfare is expensive. And while waiting until the last minute might sound like a good idea, it typically is cheaper to book your flights in advance. We are seeing fewer last-minute deals than in years past, especially when it comes to flights, a Kayak spokesperson tells Travel + Leisure.

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In this post
  1. Ignore the Cheap Flight Myths.
  2. Keep Your Plans Flexible & Book Your Flights First.
  3. Flying Direct Can Cost More Money than Time.
  4. Book Cheaper Flights By Traveling at the Right Time.
  5. Sign Up for Discount Flight and Cheap Airfare Notifications.
  6. Start Your Search with Your Best Friend, Google Flights.


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