What Are the Cheapest Days to Fly (And the Best Times to Book)?

Travel isn’t cheap these days. In fact, airline ticket costs rose 20.7% in April compared to the year before.¹ Luckily, a little flexibility can make a big difference when it comes to airfare prices.

 

Finding cheap flights doesn’t have to feel like cracking a secret airline code. Here’s what to know about the cheapest days to fly and when to book your tickets.

What Are the Cheapest Days to Fly?

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays have a reputation for being the cheapest days to fly because airlines often lower fares on less popular travel days. While there’s some truth to that, it’s not the hard-and-fast rule it used to be.

Airfare pricing changes constantly now. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, competition, seasonality and booking patterns. So the price gap between weekdays and weekends is often much smaller than it was a few years ago.

That said, flying on less popular travel days can still help you save money. According to Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly domestically, with travelers saving up to 14% compared to flying on Sunday. For international trips, Friday is the cheapest day to fly, with fares averaging about 8% less than Sunday.³ While no day guarantees the lowest fare, avoiding peak travel days can improve your chances of finding a deal.

For example, here are some round-trip fares found on Google Flights for mid-September 2026:

Route	Tuesday to Tuesday	Sunday to Sunday	Savings
Nashville to Los Angeles	$282	$320	$38
Miami to Boston	$157	$208	$51
Denver to Paris	$886	$987	$101

^{Note: Flight prices were pulled from Google Flights on June 3, 2026, and are subject to change.}

Those savings might not be enough to fund your entire vacation, but every dollar counts. And if you really want to cut your travel costs, the biggest savings usually come from:

• Being flexible with your travel dates
• Flying during off-peak seasons
• Booking in advance
• Comparing nearby airports
• Choosing less popular flight times

You may only save a few bucks by flying Tuesday instead of Thursday. But shifting your trip by a week—or even a month—could make a much bigger difference.

And don’t overlook those early morning, late-night or overnight flights. They’re not always convenient, but they’re often cheaper and less crowded. What you sacrifice in timing, you could make up for with less stress and money back in your wallet.

What Months Have the Cheapest Airfare?

August is often one of the cheapest months to fly internationally, with fares averaging about 29% less than December.⁴ That might sound surprising since August falls right in the middle of summer vacation season. But airlines often add more flights to meet summer demand, which means more available seats and, in some cases, lower fares than you’ll find during the holiday travel rush later in the year.

In many destinations, fall and winter months still tend to be cheaper times to visit because they’re less popular vacation months—except around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, of course. A good rule of thumb is to avoid traveling during the early summer or around spring break (March) to get the best flight deals possible. Airlines tend to jack up the prices just in time for school vacations. How convenient.

Most seasoned travelers know you’re more likely to get a bargain if you vacation in the off-season. But don’t miss this: The off-season looks different depending on your destination. For example, Florida is a popular spot for Northerners wanting to escape the cold winter, so it’s actually more expensive to fly there in the winter and cheaper to fly there in May. And if you’re planning a trip to Munich, Germany, you probably won’t find cheap flights there in September or October because that’s when the city hosts its world-famous Oktoberfest.

Doing a little research to discover your destination’s off-season can help you find the best deals for flights (along with hotels and activities). And if you’re just looking for a getaway but don’t have your heart set on a destination, check out the cheapest places to travel in 2026.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Flight?

Many budget travel bloggers claim Tuesday is not only a cheap day to fly but also the cheapest day of the week to book a flight. According to the age-old travel myth, airlines release their best deals on Tuesday afternoons, making it the perfect time to snag a bargain.

Don’t get mad at us, but we’re about to say something really obvious: The best time to book a flight is when you find a fare that fits your budget. We know. Groundbreaking advice.

The reality is that airfare changes constantly. Thanks to dynamic pricing and sophisticated algorithms, deals can appear—and disappear—at any time. That’s why there’s no longer a specific day of the week that’s consistently the best time to book.

What does matter is timing your purchase wisely. For domestic trips, it’s usually smart to start tracking fares one to two months before your departure date. For international travel, recent data suggests travelers can save an average of $190 by booking 31–45 days before departure instead of six months ahead.⁵ Some travelers even find great deals closer to their trip, but waiting too long is a gamble.

Whatever you do, don’t count on a last-minute price drop. While it happens occasionally, airlines are much more likely to raise fares as departure dates get closer—especially around holidays and other busy travel seasons when demand is high. If prices drop after you book, many airlines allow you to rebook at the lower fare and receive the difference as a travel credit or voucher.

Is It Cheaper to Buy a Plane Ticket at the Last Minute?

For as often as it happens in the movies, you might think there’s a benefit to rushing up to the airport’s ticket counter, begging for a seat on the next flight out. Just ask Kevin’s mom in Home Alone or the characters of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Begging for last-minute flights was a thing in the movies, but real life is a little different.  

Most airlines have done away with last-call price drops because they realized they can make much more money taking advantage of business travelers who will pay full price for a seat at the last minute. Turns out, businessmen and women will pay a premium to get to that important meeting across the country, and airlines want to take full advantage of it. Can you blame them?

Just remember: You’re much more likely to get a cheap flight if you do some planning ahead of time. Do your homework, people!

Which Websites Are Best for Finding Cheap Flights?

When it comes to traveling, everyone is looking for a bargain. Luckily, that means you’ve got a lot of great resources to help you find cheap flights! Here are some of our favorite budget-friendly travel tools:

• AirfareWatchdog
• FareCompare
• Google Flights
• Skyscanner
• Going
• Expedia
• Kayak
• Hopper

Notice we didn’t mention buying flights with credit card miles (ick!). That’s because the whole idea that you’re getting free flights and discounts is a huge scam. Credit card rewards programs are designed to make you spend more—and get further into debt.

And while we’re on the subject, you need to know it’s just as easy to travel with a debit card as it is to travel with a credit card. Actually, it’s easier. Why? Because you won’t bring debt home with you as a souvenir . . . a really crappy souvenir.

That’s one reason many members of THE Ramsey Baby Steps Community choose to skip travel rewards cards altogether. As Wendy from the group put it: “Look at the big picture. Financial peace is worth much more than a 4–5% discount on a flight. Save up and pay cash.”

 

What’s the Best Way to Budget for a Vacation?

We’ve talked about some travel hacks to score cheap flights (like being flexible with your travel dates and buying tickets at the right time). But knowing the cheapest days to fly won’t actually help you unless you have money in the bank to purchase those flights!

That’s where a budget comes in handy. The best way to save for a vacation is with a little something we call a sinking fund—where you set aside a specific amount of money every month so you can spend it on a big purchase later.

Let’s say you want to take a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. You’ll have to decide when you want to take your vacation. But before you get to the booking stage, you need to start saving (remember that sinking fund we talked about?). Do a quick search for general airfare prices and divide that number by how many months you have left to save. That number is how much you should put away in your sinking fund every single month until it’s time to book your flight!

Here’s an example: Let’s say two adult tickets for a seven-day trip from Nashville, Tennessee, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, cost about $1,400 round trip. If you give yourself six months to save before booking, you’d only need to set aside about $233 per month for the tickets. By the time you’re ready to book, you’ll have the cash set aside to pay for the flights without going into debt. (Just don't forget that you need to be saving up for all the other trip expenses as well!)

Side note: If you’re still in debt or working on your starter emergency fund (saving $1,000), stop looking for cheap flights. Seriously. We hate to rain on your vacation, but no trip is worth sacrificing your financial peace, even if you do get a cheap flight. If you work the Baby Steps plan and stick with it, you can look forward to plenty of great vacations in the future—but only when you can actually afford them.

Use EveryDollar to Save for Your Next Vacation

Now that you’re armed with knowledge about the cheapest days to fly, it’s time to get that sinking fund set up in EveryDollar. Using this app is an easy way to keep your vacation savings goals front and center. And when it’s time to book your flights, you’ll know that everything is accounted for. Cheap flights? Check. Hotel? Check. And look—you’ve even got money left over for great restaurants and souvenirs (the good kind)! So, what are you waiting for? Start budgeting for your next vacation today.