Google's Secret Weapon for Finding the Lowest Airfare Ever

Planning a getaway shouldn't feel like a second job. Whether you're chasing the last of the ski season or hunting for a head start on summer sun, the price of a plane ticket is usually the biggest barrier to actually leaving your house. In 2026, there's no reason to play the guessing game with airline pricing when you can let data do the heavy lifting for you.

The Google Flights travel report is like a massive data-driven cheat sheet designed to help you snag the lowest possible prices. By analyzing years of historical trends, the service identifies the precise windows when plane ticket prices bottom out, effectively removing the "buy now or wait?" guesswork that usually comes with travel planning.

It doesn't matter whether you're a meticulous planner booking months in advance or a procrastinator looking for a quick getaway. These patterns from Google Flights reveal exactly how to avoid overpaying to travel. Before you punch in that credit card info for your next trip, you'll want to see how the numbers actually stack up.

For more useful travel tips explore the travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist. You should also check out our CNET roundup of the best headphones for travel.

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What are the cheapest days to fly?

If you plan to book a flight, you're likely trying to find the most budget-friendly option. The cheapest flights are available when flying on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Tuesday being the cheapest day, according to the historical flight data. Flying early to midweek can save travelers about 13% on airfare compared with flying on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with Sunday being the most expensive day to fly.

Do layovers on flights save you money?

It may come as no surprise that flights with layovers are cheaper than nonstop flights, but you may not realize just how significant those savings can be. The Google Flights data shows that travelers can save 22% by booking a flight with a layover instead of a nonstop flight.

Which day of the week is the cheapest to book flights?

There are certainly cheaper days to fly, but there aren't really cheaper days to book. "It's worth knowing that you won't save much by booking on any particular day of the week," according to the Google Flights report. Tuesday is typically the cheapest day of the week to book, according to the data, but Tuesday bookings are only 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day of Sunday.

Is it cheaper to book flights farther out in advance?

To wait or not to wait? According to Google, it is still better to book your travel far in advance, especially if you need to fly on a specific day or time. There are some patterns you can analyze to decide whether it is better to wait for lower prices or book now based on specific scenarios, destinations and dates of travel.

For domestic flights, prices are generally at their lowest between 23 and 51 days before your trip, with 39 days before departure being the cheapest day to book on average. For international flights, prices are generally lowest between 49 days or more before your trip, but it is generally best to book as early as you can. According to Google, "Average prices don't meaningfully drop anytime before departure but they usually do start to rise within 50 days of the flight itself" for international travel from the US.

Read also: New Google AI Flight Deals Tool Works But Only For 'Anywhere Anytime' Travelers

When is the best time to book a flight in every season?

Here is what Google says about the best times to book holiday flights and vacation trips to certain popular destinations.

Thanksgiving: The cheapest domestic flights over the Thanksgiving holiday are usually available 24 to 59 days in advance, with 35 days out being the cheapest. That means it is best to book Thanksgiving flights in late September or early October.

Christmas: The cheapest domestic flights over the winter holidays are usually available 32 to 73 days in advance, with 51 days out being the cheapest. It is best to book Christmas or holiday flights anytime from mid-October to mid-November.

Spring break: The cheapest domestic flights in March and April are available between 28 to 61 days in advance, with 43 days before departure being the cheapest time to book on average.

Summer break: The cheapest domestic flights in July and August are usually available 14 to 43 days in advance, with 21 days before departure being the cheapest day on average to book.

When is the best time to book a flight to Europe?

International flights to Europe from the US are usually cheaper 48 days or more before departure. As with all international travel, it is generally best practice to book as early as you can.

When is the best time for Mexico or the Caribbean?

International flights to Mexico and the Caribbean are the one exception to the broader international trend, according to Google. That is because flights are generally at their lowest between 26 and 79 days in advance, with 50 days out being the cheapest.

What were the top destinations for 2025 holiday travel?

Google also released insights on the top-searched destinations for each holiday for the 2025 season.

Thanksgiving: The top-searched domestic destinations for trips departing between the dates of Nov. 23 through Nov. 30 included Columbia, South Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Detroit, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska and more.

Christmas and New Year's Eve: The top-searched destinations for trips departing between the dates of Dec. 21 through Jan. 4 included Rio de Janeiro, St. Lucia, Marrakech, Curaçao and more.

For more, check out our CNET picks for the best travel credit cards. You can also explore the 12 travel essentials you always need to pack and the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.