Is July the most expensive month to fly?

Since July is the busiest and most expensive flight month of the summer, the first thing you can do to get an elusive lower fare? Shop early. With a limited number of seats on a plane, in order to get one of those with the best prices you have to be an early bird.



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For most destinations, peak summer is madness for travel. And that high demand for peak season raises flight prices for you. Typically, flight prices increase from mid-May or maybe early June through to mid-August or early September as families get out for summer break and other travelers set out for sunny adventures.

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More good news: While Hopper researchers also report that airfare prices should continue to rise in June, then start to fall from July through October. Also be aware that where you travel can make a big difference in what you'll pay — even if you wind up traveling during a very busy time.

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There's no guarantees when you're looking for cheap flights in the summertime, especially if you need a cheap flight in July. July is especially expensive. Here are a few tried and true tips for getting more reasonably priced airline tickets in a month that doesn't offer a lot of bargains.

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Expedia and Hopper do note that prices will likely reach their maximum in June and decrease throughout July and August, so look for late-summer travel to find the best deals on airfare.

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In general, prices are lower between 23 and 59 days prior. July and August summer vacation travel is best booked 14 to 44 days ahead, with prices generally bottoming out around 21 days.

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According to Expedia data, late August is the cheapest period for flights this summer, when average ticket prices drop $125 compared to the priciest stretch in early July.

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Spring break. For domestic flights in March and April, Google said, prices are typically lowest 23 to 59 days before departure, hitting their lowest price 38 days out. Summer vacation. For domestic flights in July or August, prices are typically lower 14 to 44 days out, hitting rock bottom 21 days before takeoff.

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According to Google, fares are less expensive if you fly in the middle of the week, rather than on the weekend. Over the past five years, flights that took off Monday to Wednesday were, on average, 12% to 20% cheaper than weekend flights. Sundays are a particularly expensive day to depart, Google said.

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Factors such as fuel costs, staffing shortages, aging IT infrastructure and hidden fees all contribute to expensive flights in 2023.

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Is it cheaper to book a flight at the last minute? We've said this before, but it's worth repeating at the outset—no, it's really not cheaper to book a flight at the last minute. Yes, last minute travelers used to score the occasional fare so low it might have induced shock, but that's no longer the case.

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Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally. Meanwhile, international flyers would be wise to leave on Wednesdays, which are the cheapest day to depart for an international trip. That said, there isn't a huge difference in price across the different days of the week.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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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.


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With a lot of American families traveling in June, you can still find some better priced days if you can fly mid-week. Jun 7 June is not quite as expensive as July, historically. You can get the best deals by flying mid-week and avoiding more typically expensive travel days like Sundays.

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The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid/late March—are often the cheapest time to fly.

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