What days are cheaper on Expedia?

Expedia's research found Thursdays are typically the cheapest, around 16% less expensive than Sundays, which is usually the most expensive day to depart. “Book on a Sunday, leave on a Thursday, and make sure you lock in your plans around 28 days out,” Hudson said. “That should be your bible.”



In 2026, travel data indicates a significant shift in the "cheapest days" to book and fly on Expedia, largely driven by changing patterns in post-pandemic business travel. For booking flights, Friday has emerged as the most affordable day of the week to secure a ticket, offering savings of about 3% compared to the most expensive day, Sunday. When it comes to the actual day of travel, Tuesday and Wednesday remain the gold standard for low fares, particularly for domestic routes where flying mid-week can be up to 14% cheaper than weekend departures. For international travel, Friday has also become a surprisingly affordable departure day as airlines look to fill seats left empty by the decline in traditional Friday-to-Monday business trips. For hotel bookings on Expedia in 2026, Tuesday is typically the cheapest day to check in, while Friday and Saturday command the highest premiums. To maximize savings, Expedia's 2026 "Air Hacks" report suggests booking domestic flights 15–30 days out and international trips roughly 30–45 days in advance.

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To save money, the best day to book airfare is Sunday, according to Expedia's 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report. The research found that over the past four years, travelers who booked airfare on Sundays instead of Fridays saved, on average, about five percent on domestic flights and 15 percent on international flights.

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When it comes to booking your flight, the report finds the best day to plunk down your credit card is on a weekend, particularly on Sundays. Expedia reports you can save up to 20% if you book on a weekend, and up to 36% off the average cost of a flight if you book your ticket on a Sunday.

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The best time to book flight tickets on Expedia is typically when you find the lowest fare. Generally, fares are at their lowest about three weeks before departure, but this can vary depending on your destination and airline.

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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.

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Cheapest Day to Book Hotel Reservations Most travel agencies agree that the cheapest days to book hotels are Fridays and Saturdays. While these are the most expensive days for actually checking in and out, the best hotel rates are on the days when most people are traveling.

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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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Plan using price alerts. Take the guess work out of deciding when to book with the Price Tracking and Prediction feature on the Expedia app, which uses exclusive data to pinpoint the best time to book and notifies travelers when flight prices change.

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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.

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Firstly, Expedia is a large-scale travel booking portal that is able to negotiate more competitive rates from hotels. They also take advantage of large, bulk bookings and can offer customers discounts as a result.

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Hotel prices are dynamic, fluctuating based on supply and demand — that means the price you see when you're searching for hotels one day might change the very next, even if the dates of your stay remain the same.

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Download the Expedia App Now - Plan Your Dream Getaway! Save even more with up to 25% off select hotels and double points when you book through our app. Enjoy app-exclusive deals and manage your travel on the go.

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Some experts suggest purchasing your tickets on a Tuesday afternoon, while others insist that this technique might not produce the results you're after. Buying airfare at the stroke of midnight can yield a small amount of savings, say others, but it may not always be worth it to stay up late just to book a flight.

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Tuesdays may not be favorable for booking, but if you're hoping to score major savings, booking your departure on a Tuesday or Wednesday is a surefire way to do so. Mid-week flights offer the best deal prices in comparison to flights departing the rest of the week.

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