What is the best day to fly during Christmas?

Traveling on Christmas Eve: If it's important that you're at your destination by Christmas morning, then leaving on Christmas Eve is your best move. While crowds are heavier than Christmas Day, Christmas Eve is typically the least-crowded day of the seven days ahead of the holiday.



For the 2026 Christmas season, the best days to fly to save money and avoid the worst of the crowds are Christmas Day (December 25) and Tuesday, December 22. Statistically, flying on the actual holiday—Christmas Day—is the "cheapest" and quietest window, as most travelers aim to be at their destination by the 24th. If you can't fly on the day itself, aiming for a midweek departure (Tuesday or Wednesday) the week before Christmas is significantly better than traveling on the preceding Friday or Sunday, which are the busiest travel days of the year. For the return journey, New Year’s Eve (December 31) or Tuesday, January 5 are your best bets for lower fares. In 2026, the "Christmas Rush" is expected to peak on Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 27, as people maximize their time off around the weekends. To secure the best rates, travel experts recommend booking in the "Goldilocks Window," which for Christmas travel is usually 3 to 5 months in advance (August or September). By choosing "off-peak" flight times, such as the first flight of the morning or a late-night "red-eye," you can further reduce the stress of navigating the record-breaking airport volumes typical of the 2026 holiday season.

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While crowds will likely be high in the days ahead of Christmas, they'll likely be lighter on the Monday and Tuesday before. Traveling on Christmas Eve: If it's important that you're at your destination by Christmas morning, then leaving on Christmas Eve is your best move.

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Traveling on Christmas Eve: If it's important that you're at your destination by Christmas morning, then leaving on Christmas Eve is your best move. While crowds are heavier than Christmas Day, Christmas Eve is typically the least-crowded day of the seven days ahead of the holiday.

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Generally, the worst days of the week to fly domestically are Sunday, Monday, and Friday. Why are flights on Sunday, Monday, and Friday more expensive? Most business travel takes place on Monday and Friday. Many vacationers tend to fly on Fridays and Sundays.

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During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it.

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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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As far as winter travel dates go, December 24 is one of the lightest. December 25 - Like Christmas Eve, this major holiday is customarily a family day, not one for travel. The 25th might be the slowest day for air travel this winter. If you get creative with your holiday plans, you're sure to avoid airport crowds.

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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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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.

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December 31 - Most people would rather party to celebrate a new year than spend the day airport hopping. But, if you're more interested in getting where you need to be while avoiding crowds and saving money, New Year's Eve is a light day to fly.

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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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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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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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The best time of day to fly is in the morning, before 8 a.m. Early morning flights are less likely to be delayed or go through turbulence, and they're often cheaper.

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There's not much statistical evidence to say conclusively. However, the FAA say that in general aviation 69% of crashes at night cause pilot fatality compared to 59% during day.

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Airplane travel is an increasingly easy and affordable mode of transportation. There are a number of effects altitude and airplane travel have on the body, including oxygen deprivation, alteration of sleep patterns, and an increased risk of contracting contagious diseases.

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