Sundays are frequently identified as the cheapest day to book flights, with potential savings of up to 13–17% on international and domestic travel compared to booking on Fridays. While historically Tuesdays were considered best, modern algorithms have made Sundays a top choice, though booking when you see a low price is crucial.
The cheapest day to book flights isn't a single magic day, but generally, earlier in the week (Tuesday/Wednesday) often sees lower prices due to midweek demand, while Fridays and Sundays are pricier for weekend/business travel; however, it varies, so using price trackers, booking well in advance (especially for holidays), and being flexible with travel dates (midweek or shoulder seasons) are key for finding deals.
The cheapest time to buy flights involves booking 1-3 months ahead for domestic and 2-6 months for international (longer for peak holidays), flying on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, and targeting the shoulder seasons (spring/fall) instead of peak summer/winter, using price alerts to track fluctuations as airlines use dynamic pricing now, rather than a fixed "Tuesday rule".
What is the best day to book flights for the cheapest rate?
Though sales come and go, a study by Expedia in 2025 found the cheapest day to book flights is Sunday. However, the savings aren't as significant as one might hope: Booking Sunday rather than Monday or Friday (the most expensive days) only saves travelers an average of 6% on domestic flights.
Why it feels like prices go up the more you search. The short answer: flight and holiday prices change in real time, based on things like availability and demand. That can make it feel like searching repeatedly has caused the increase, when in reality, the price may have updated for everyone.
When to buy CHEAP FLIGHTS | Best time to buy airline tickets in 2024
What time do flights usually go down?
Domestic flight prices tend to drop 1 to 3 months before departure, especially for non-peak travel times (more like 3 to 5 months for peak travel seasons). However, waiting too long can backfire, as last-minute fares usually increase.
What's the cheapest day if the week to book a flight?
Some people say Tuesday is the cheapest day to book and fly, since it's far from the weekend, and it's often true. Flight comparison site Skyscanner says sales are usually dropped on Monday nights or Tuesday morning, which skews this data, but it's all about the route and destination.
Holidaymakers have often tried to find the best day to book airline tickets to get the cheapest price. Travel group Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks research shows that UK travellers who booked flights on a Sunday saved 22% on average on international and 21% on domestic flights, compared booking on a Friday.
Flight prices don't necessarily drop at a specific time of day, but studies suggest that booking flights in the early morning (5 AM–9 AM) can sometimes yield better deals, as airlines often adjust fares overnight.
The best websites for cheap flights are comparison sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak, which find deals from many airlines and agents, but you should always check multiple sites and the airline's own site, as prices vary; Momondo is praised for its "Flight Insight," while Google Flights offers great price tracking. Use these to find deals, but also look at budget carriers (like EasyJet) or specialized sites like Kiwi.com (for complex routes) and Skiplagged (for hidden city fares) for unique savings.
Depending on the airline you're looking to fly from, finding cheap flights can be done on either Sunday or Tuesday. Sunday because it's the beginning of the week, and Tuesday because many different airlines choose to release all of their sales on Monday nights.
Experts recommend monitoring flight prices and booking domestic trips one to two months in advance, and international trips three to five months ahead. There is no specific day of the week that guarantees the lowest airfare, but traveling midweek—especially on Wednesdays—often results in cheaper fares.
Is it better to wait until Tuesday to book a flight?
One of the most common booking myths is that the best airfare can be found on Tuesdays, but for the most part, there's not much reward in waiting until this day of the week to book your flight. "The reality is prices change so often – and depend on the route, the travel dates, etc.
Do flight prices go down at night? Sometimes. Airfare prices change regularly based on supply and demand and the airline's resulting prediction of how it can maximise income on remaining seats. Computer software is often in charge of analysing this and updating fares.
"If it's an off-peak season — not middle of summer, Christmas or New Year's — then booking about one to three months in advance is typically when cheap flights have the highest likelihood of popping up," he said. "When you're talking about international travel, two to eight months in advance."
These cookies track the routes you've searched for and how often you've checked them, influencing the prices you see. The more you keep checking the same flight, the more it signals your strong interest—and some websites use this as a reason to increase the price.
