Truth be told, there’s no single day or time that guarantees you’ll land the cheapest flight ticket. But if you’re hoping to improve your odds of finding a good deal, here’s what travel experts and industry data actually suggest.
Flight prices fluctuate based on seat availability, demand, and airline promotions.
Why Flight Prices Fluctuate So Much
According to Travel+Leisure, reported Tuesday, September 29, 2026, global travel trends expert and Skyscanner Senior Director of Communications Laura Lindsay says pricing is also heavily influenced by travel seasons, holidays, and major events. The more popular a specific date is, the more ticket prices can vary.
“Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary depending on peak travel season, holidays, and events,” Laura explained.
Kayla Inserra DeLoache, Director of Communications at Kayak, emphasized that there’s no single day that’s consistently the best time to buy tickets.
“Kayak’s data shows there isn’t one specific day that’s the best time to book a flight, because ticket prices can vary depending on departure day, return day, flight route, and season,” she said.
What the Studies Actually Show
Even though there’s no definitive rule, a 2024 study by Upgraded Points found that booking flights on Mondays and Tuesdays often resulted in lower prices. Meanwhile, Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks report found that booking on Sundays could save up to 6% on domestic flights and 17% on international flights compared to booking on Mondays or Fridays.
As for booking time of day, there’s no specific hour that consistently offers the lowest prices. Pricing depends heavily on how quickly a specific flight or route is selling out, though airlines sometimes offer lower prices when a flight is newly released for booking.
Set Up Price Alerts Instead of Guessing
Because of this uncertainty, travelers are advised to start monitoring prices early and set up price alert features for their desired routes. These notifications will let you know whenever ticket prices change.
Expedia even uses data to predict the likelihood of prices dropping further. A similar feature is available on Hopper, meaning travelers don’t need to manually check prices over and over.
Flexibility Beats Timing Tricks
Beyond monitoring prices, travelers are also encouraged to keep their travel schedule flexible. “Traveling on certain days can offer cheaper prices. For those who really want to save money, a flexible schedule can lead to significant savings,” Kayla explained.
Rather than chasing a mythical “best day to book,” the smarter strategy is a combination approach: set price alerts on tools like Expedia or Hopper as soon as you know you’re planning a trip, lean toward Sunday or early-week bookings if your dates allow, and stay genuinely flexible on travel dates whenever possible. That combination will do far more for your wallet than trying to time a single perfect booking moment.
