The Month and Day To Avoid Traveling If You Want To Save
Even though it seems like airfare prices are all over the map, they aren’t random. For travelers who are looking to save on airfare, when you fly — and when you book — can make a big difference in the price you pay. Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report dug into the data and pinpointed the month and day you should avoid traveling to save.
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Next, find out the cheapest times of year to visit several popular destinations.
The First Quarter of the Year Is the Most Expensive Time To Fly
Even though summertime travel seems like it would command the most costly airfare, the second and third months of the first quarter of the year are the most expensive time to fly. February is the most expensive month to fly domestically, while August is the cheapest and can save travelers 12%, according to Expedia’s press release on the report.
For international travel, March is the most expensive month to take a flight versus August, which can save travelers 7%.
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Sunday Is the Most Expensive Day To Fly
According to the report, Sunday is the most expensive departure day for domestic flights, costing travelers up to 17% more than those who fly on Saturday. For international flights, it’s 15% cheaper to fly on a Thursday than a Sunday.
Friday and Monday Are the Most Expensive Days To Book Flights
Although you don’t want to depart on a Sunday flight because you’ll pay more, you can actually save on airfare if you book your flight on Sunday, instead of booking it during a Friday or Monday. Travelers who book on Sunday can save an average of 6% on domestic flights and 17% on domestic.
Other Ways To Save on Flight Costs
Here are some other tips for getting cheaper airfare, according to Expedia’s report:
Know how far out to book: The sweet spot for booking cheaper domestic flights is one to three months before departure, which can save 25% compared to last-minute bookers. International travelers should aim for 18 to 29 days out to get the best fares, saving 17% over travelers who book three or more months in advance.
Use price-tracking tools: Flight trackers, like Expedia’s Flight Deals tool, Kayak’s flight price tracker and Google Flights Price Tracking, allow you to follow the price of flights and book when they drop. Some also offer protection in case the price drops after you book your travel, so you can get a refund for the difference.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Month and Day To Avoid Traveling If You Want To Save
