Is it more expensive to book flights in December?

We know you want to fly out on Dec. 22 or 23 and return for work on the 26th … but so does everyone else. And the airlines know that. They're some of the busiest travel days of the entire year, so those itineraries around Christmas are almost always the most expensive fares you'll find in December – or the entire year.



December is statistically one of the most expensive months to fly, but the cost depends entirely on your specific travel dates. The first two weeks of December (roughly Dec 1–14) are actually a "shoulder season" where you can find excellent deals as schools are still in session and holiday demand hasn't yet peaked. However, prices spike dramatically starting around December 18–20, as the Christmas and New Year's "rush" begins. Flying on the actual holidays—Christmas Day or New Year's Eve—can often save you 20-30% compared to flying on the days immediately preceding them. In 2026, "Dynamic Pricing" algorithms respond instantly to high demand, so if you are traveling between Dec 20 and Jan 3, you should expect to pay "Peak Season" premiums. To mitigate this, "pro" travelers aim to book their December flights 70–90 days in advance (by early October) and utilize "Price Alerts" to catch short-lived fare drops. Avoiding weekend departures and being flexible with your arrival airport can also help you avoid the most aggressive holiday price hikes.

People Also Ask

71 days out is a recommendation, not a rule Instead, travelers should view that timeline as the point when cheap flights have their highest odds of popping up. According to Going's analysis, travelers want to look for the so-called Goldilocks Window (not too early, not too late) to get the cheapest airfare.

MORE DETAILS

Along with peak summer, the period between Christmas and New Year's is typically one of the most expensive times of year for flights. It is, not surprisingly, also one of the most popular times of year for travel. 2023 will be no exception, especially as many people skipped out on holiday travel last year.

MORE DETAILS

For the lowest fares on domestic flights, travel in January or February. But for international trips, you'll find the cheapest fare in August.

MORE DETAILS

Timing Matters: Not Too Early, Not Too Late 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.

MORE DETAILS

Berg says the general rule of thumb is to book your flight three-to-five months out from your departure date. For your summer travel, that means as early as January, which Berg says is one of the best months to snag a good deal. January is one of the cheapest months to buy flight tickets, she tells TODAY.com.

MORE DETAILS

According to Going's analysis, travelers want to look for the so-called Goldilocks Window (not too early, not too late) to get the cheapest airfare. For domestic flights, Keyes said that's one to three months in advance for off-peak trips and three to six months for peak-season travel, such as Christmas and New Year's.

MORE DETAILS

Travelers seeking the lowest prices may find the best airfares from 36 to 74 days before departure for Thanksgiving flights, with the best deals about 52 days prior, according to Google Flights data. For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior.

MORE DETAILS

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%.

MORE DETAILS

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.

MORE DETAILS

Domestic flight prices for trips during the 2023 holiday season are on an uphill climb until the new year, according to an industry economist.

MORE DETAILS

Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


MORE DETAILS

Tuesday Around Midnight is the Cheapest Time to Book
In general, flights were slightly cheaper at midnight earlier in the week (Monday through Wednesday). However, this is only applicable to about 1.6% of U.S. markets, meaning that it's not likely you'll find the same savings on your specific route.

MORE DETAILS

Bottom line. Surprisingly, there is very little evidence that online travel sites are raising prices the more that you search for a specific trip. In fact, they tend to show lower prices to logged-in users.

MORE DETAILS