Face it, traveling during holidays is not going to be cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but we can help you buy tickets that are at least a bit cheaper. Ready?
Thanksgiving - November 27th - Best Departure Days
- Saturday, November 22nd
- Tuesday, November 25th
- Thursday, November 27th
Thanksgiving - November 27th - Best Return Days
- Thursday, November 27th
- Saturday, November 29th
- Tuesday, December 2nd
Christmas - December 25th - Best Departure Days
- Thursday, December 18th
- Saturday, December 20th
- Tuesday, December 23rd
- Thursday, December 25th
Christmas - December 25th - Best Return Days
- Thursday, December 25th
- Saturday, December 27th
- Wednesday, December 31st
- Thursday, January 1st
- Saturday, January 3rd
- Tuesday, January 6th
NOTE: You’ll be charged more than usual for the convenience of non-stop flights during the holidays - but if you do travel on connecting flights, make sure you have plenty of time between those flights in case of normal holiday or weather delays.
The cheapest times to fly are typically the first flight out in the morning (yes you have to get up at 4am) and those after lunch and after dinner.
And don’t wait; book your tickets now or at least well before November.
Your Dec. calendar is off. The 20th is listed twice, throwing off the days of the week for the 21st-31st. Christmas is on a Thursday this year.
Comment by maltodextrin — September 17, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
I was surprised to see Nov 29 listed as cheaper….I priced flights to return Nov 28 or Nov 29 and all flights were higher on the 29th, most by at least $100.
Comment by Megan — September 18, 2008 @ 6:00 am
The dates on the December calendar are one day later than they should be. Don’t be confused if you’re booking any reservations.
Comment by K Pekari — September 18, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Dates (days of the week) do not coincide with calendar.
Comment by Sarah M. — September 18, 2008 @ 7:16 am
Rick, the calendars are a nice addition. I bet you’ll see NW file their 3-level annual holiday sale in a month and a half with the same travel dates you broke out.
Comment by Joe Rinaldi — September 18, 2008 @ 8:52 am
It looks to me that your December calendar is off by one day. Christmas falls on Thursday not Friday as indicated by your calendar.
Comment by K Hopkins — September 18, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Rick,
You always provide such excellent advice for travelers. Thanks for these great tips on cheaper holiday flight days. Keep ‘em coming.
I’ve linked you to my Picajet travel blog.
Sheree
Comment by Sheree Zielke — September 18, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Just to let you know, on the calendar Dec. 20 is duplicated as the date on Saturday and Sunday.
Comment by Crystal Jones — September 18, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Rick, the December calendar above lists December 20 twice, once on Saturday and once on Sunday. Thanks for the info. Rita Donaldson
Comment by Rita Donaldson — September 18, 2008 @ 9:40 am
My apologies on the calendar typo all should be sorted out now. Of course these dates may not always be the cheapest on every route, but they are the most likely to be cheapest and the idea was to save you some time hunting and pecking for the best days.
The bottom line for this holiday season is finding a “better bad deal” — I bought my tickets for holiday travel a couple of months ago …
Comment by Rick Seaney — September 18, 2008 @ 10:49 am
I spent a considerable amount of time looking for “best days” return rates and they were the same for the 29th and 30th for returns on thanksgiving travel.
Maybe it’s just that the best rates these days can’t be classified as “best”.
Thanks for the tips
Comment by Kathy A. — September 18, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
Hi Kathy, On any given route (there are tens of thousands of them in the U.S.) the prices may not budge on those days, but in general these days have the most empty seats which typically has airlines quoting lower price points.
Comment by Rick Seaney — September 19, 2008 @ 7:31 am
Hi Rick,
We want to spend 3 months in Bangkok from the middle of Dec. to March.
Last year we went direct from NY and that was ssoooo long…18 hrs.
What’s the best way to break up the trip? What stops do you recommend? What dates are the best to save money?
Thanks,
Inge
Comment by Inge — September 21, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Hi Rick,
Just wondering if you’ve done any analysis on the best departure dates for New Years? Based on what I’m seeing (for Hawaii), Dec 31st seems to be the cheapest departure date.
Comment by Sheila — November 12, 2008 @ 11:00 am