If you’re anything like me, you covered your 2026 vision board with photos of beautiful beaches, glamorous city nights, and mountain getaways. Unfortunately for the budget, however, visualization alone isn’t going to pay for your plane ticket. Like everything else these days, travel is expensive, so you better believe I’m going to pull out all the tips and tricks to save money on flights. But in 2026, that doesn’t include biding my time in hopes of snagging a last-minute cheap ticket. According to research from Google Flights, there’s an exact science to finding the best time to book flights, and waiting until the last minute isn’t it.
To make sure your dream vacation makes it out of the group chat and into reality, you’ll need to plan ahead to get the best flight price. Here are the insider tricks you need to know, including the best time to book flights, depending on where you’re headed.
The best time to book flights in 2026
For domestic travel
Procrastinators, listen up. As tempting as it is to pack your bag on a whim and catch the next flight out, it’s not a cost-effective way to travel. It pays to think ahead—literally. According to Google Flights data, the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 39 days before your trip. You’ll generally see the lowest prices between 23 and 51 days before takeoff, so there is some wiggle room, but definitely don’t leave it to the last minute.
For international travel
If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll want to book your tickets even further in advance. To get the lowest prices, plan to book at least 49 days before departure, when Google’s data shows average prices have been lowest. If you wait much longer, you can expect prices to rise as your trip gets closer. That’s especially true if you’re planning a trip to Europe. Feel free to book that flight to Paris or Rome a couple of months (or more) in advance, as prices are unlikely to drop at the last minute.
For flights from the U.S. to Mexico or the Caribbean, you may be able to find good deals closer to takeoff. Prices have historically been lowest 50 days before departure, but cheap flights can be found anywhere between 26 and 79 days in advance. Just remember: The earlier you book, the more time you’ll have to plan your trip itinerary and pack your outfits.
And of course, when you plan to travel is just as important as when you book. If you’re dreaming about sipping an Aperol spritz in Italy this summer or living out your The Holiday fantasy by spending Christmas in London, you might want to look at traveling in May or January instead. Flights are most expensive around peak travel dates, including mid-June through mid-August and around Christmas and New Year’s. Shoulder season can be a much cheaper time to travel, so keep that in mind while planning.
Other ways to save money on travel in 2026
Read on for even more tricks to make your trip as budget-friendly as possible. From booking to boarding, you’ll know you got the best price and have that much left in your travel budget to spend when you get there.
1. Be flexible in your travel plans
To save even more money on flights, you might want to reconsider how you plan trips in the first place. It’s common to decide on the destination first, the dates second, and the flights third, but if you’re flexible with when and where you’re going, you can choose your future vacay based on the cheapest plane tickets. For example, if your heart is set on a beach vacation, shop around to find the destination that best suits your vibe and budget. Flights to destinations like Miami or Cancun may be quite a bit cheaper than jetting off to the Maldives. Your bank account will thank you, and you can focus more of your budget on the actual vacation, not just getting there.
2. Book your flight on a Tuesday
Tuesday is historically the cheapest day of the week to buy plane tickets, so if you’re planning an upcoming trip, add booking a flight to your Tuesday to-do list. Juggling a jam-packed workweek? It’s not the end of the world. According to Google, booking on a Tuesday is only 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day, Sunday. So, while it may save you a bit of cash, it probably won’t make or break your budget.
3. Fly out early in the week
As far as your actual flight dates, plan to travel during the first half of the week if you want to save the most money. According to Google Flights data, flying out on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday is about 13% cheaper than traveling on the weekend. And if you’re worried about flight delays or cancellations, consider snagging an early departure time. While no one loves an early morning flight, flights after 3 p.m. have a 50% higher chance of cancellations than those earlier in the day, according to Expedia. Get to bed early the night before and dream about all the money you’re saving, and that early alarm won’t be quite as painful.
4. Track flight prices
Another way to stay on top of savings is to track flight prices on platforms like Google Flights or Hopper. Google Flights allows you to monitor the prices of specific flights and set up notifications for when prices drop. Similarly, Hopper is a travel booking app that tracks flight prices, hotel rooms, and car rentals all in one place, so you know you’re getting the lowest price available. No one likes random spam emails, but signing up for airline email lists is another great way to stay notified when flash sales or deals occur.
5. Opt for flights with layovers
Sitting around at the airport for a few hours with a layover probably isn’t your idea of fun, but if your main concern is saving money, it’s definitely the way to go. Google’s data shows that, on average, taking a flight with a layover can help you save 22% versus flying nonstop. Sure, it may take a little longer to get to your destination, but as long as you have some entertainment ready, the savings could be worth it.
6. Pack efficiently
The potential for savings doesn’t end when you find the perfect ticket. Getting savvy with your packing can also help you cut travel costs. No one wants to pay checked bag fees, and chances are you won’t wear half the things you swear you need anyway. Opting for a carry-on avoids unnecessary extra charges and makes lugging your things around much easier, especially for a multi-city trip.
Looking for more flight hacks? Try these:
- This $30 Amazon Find Makes Economy Feel Like First Class
- 8 Things You Should Always Do When You Travel to Prevent Jet Lag
- I Just Got Back From Europe—These Essentials Made the Long Flight Fly By
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
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