Best Time to Book Flights in 2026: When to Buy for the Biggest Savings

A new year means new travel plans—and the same old question: when should you book to get the best fare? In 2026, the rules haven’t changed as much as the tools have. Smart timing plus the right flight search approach can still save you a lot.

Here’s a practical guide to when to book flights in 2026 for domestic trips, international getaways, and peak periods like holidays and summer. Compare destinations and use our search to find fares.

Domestic vs. International: Different Booking Windows

Domestic (e.g. within the USA or UK)
Aim to book roughly 1–3 months before departure for most routes. Prices often creep up in the last 3–4 weeks, so locking in when you see a good cheap domestic price usually pays off.

International
For long-haul and international flights, 2–4 months ahead is a common sweet spot. Some routes are cheapest even earlier (4–6 months), especially for popular destinations and school holidays.

There’s no single “magic day”—use a search that shows flexible dates so you can compare a range of departure and return dates.

Peak Seasons in 2026: Book Earlier

When demand is high, the best prices tend to appear earlier and sell out faster.

• Spring break and Easter (March–April 2026) – Book by late January or February if your dates are fixed.
• Summer (June–August) – For summer travel, booking by March or April often yields better fares than waiting until May.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026 – For holiday travel, start watching in September and book when you see a price you’re happy with; don’t wait until November.

Booking in the “opposite” season (e.g. booking summer trips around New Year or winter trips in summer) is a classic economy flight hack that still works for many routes.

Set Alerts and Stay Flexible

If your dates or destination are fixed, set fare alerts for your route and preferred dates. You’ll get a nudge when prices drop so you can book without checking every day.

If you can be flexible on when you fly, use the calendar or flexible-date view on your search. Midweek and off-peak dates are often cheaper than Fridays and Sundays—so shifting by a day or two can save a lot in 2026.

Quick Recap for 2026

• Domestic: 1–3 months ahead; avoid the last few weeks.
• International: 2–4 months (sometimes more for peak times).
• Peak seasons: Book earlier—often 2–4 months before the trip.
• Use alerts for fixed plans and flexible dates when you can.

Start your year by comparing fares for the trips you have in mind. The best time to book in 2026 is when you see a price that fits your budget—and that often means booking sooner rather than later for peak periods.