You can often find good deals booking flights on a Sunday, with some reports showing it as the cheapest day for both domestic and international travel compared to weekdays, though Tuesday/Wednesday are classic alternatives; however, prices constantly change, so flexibility and using price alerts (like Google Flights) are key, as prices fluctuate due to demand, not a strict schedule, and booking when you find a good price is often best.
According to a study by Expedia, the cheapest day to book flights is Sunday. When comparing Sunday flight prices to Friday, Expedia found that travelers save 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. Sunday has been the best day of the week to book flights since before 2020.
That said, data provided to NerdWallet by Expedia indicates that — if you have flexibility on when to book — Sundays are generally best. Domestic travelers can save 6% while international travelers can save 17% compared to booking on a Monday or Friday, according to Expedia's 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report.
You probably knew about the first rule, but did you know that it is best to book your flights on a weekend? While the most expensive tickets tend to be booked on Tuesdays and Fridays, you can save more by booking your flight on a Sunday.
For booking cheap flights in Australia, Sundays are often cited as the best day to book for potential savings, with some data showing up to 19.5% savings compared to booking on Fridays (the most expensive day). However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also strong contenders for finding deals due to airline sales, and booking about 11 weeks in advance (mid-week) is a good general strategy, though this varies by route. Flexibility with travel dates (like flying in May or off-peak) and checking for airline sales (like Virgin's Thursday Happy Hour) are also key strategies.
Price drops are more likely on less busy routes or off-peak travel dates. On popular routes, prices often rise as departure nears. Keep an eye on our flights page for last-minute flight deals.
Be flexible with dates: Flying mid-week or during off-peak hours usually costs less. Consider stopover flights: They often come at a lower price compared to direct ones. Look for budget airlines: Carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, or Air India frequently offer competitive fares.
You may not get cheaper airfare by booking on a specific day, but when you plan on flying can affect the price of the ticket. Generally, Mondays and Fridays are more expensive than Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Keyes says this is mainly because business travelers tend to avoid traveling in the middle of the week.
Yes — if you save a flight, we'll automatically track the price and alert you to any changes.
Yes, flight prices often drop on Tuesday mornings when airlines update their pricing systems. Tuesday flight booking deals are most common between 5:00-8:00 AM when fewer people are searching for flights.
Avoid traveling during traditionally busy times.
However, looking at historical data, Fridays (especially before holidays) and Sundays (especially after holidays) have seen the highest number of travelers.
Myth: Tuesdays are the cheapest day to book flights. Debunked: Airline prices fluctuate constantly based on algorithms and market forces. While some flash sales might happen on Tuesdays, there's no magic day. Be flexible with your travel dates and use tools like Google Flights to track prices and find the best deals.
The best days to fly for the cheapest domestic and international fares are midweek. Aim to book domestic flights one to two months ahead of time. For international flights, plan on booking three to five months ahead of the trip.
Perhaps the most significant downside of buying tickets at the airport is the potential for higher costs. Airlines often charge more for tickets purchased in person, especially if it's a last-minute decision.
To book cheap flights, be flexible with dates (fly mid-week), use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights, search "Everywhere" for deals, book in advance (but not too last minute), and consider separate one-way tickets or nearby airports. Set up fare alerts and compare prices across different providers for the best deals.
The commonly-held belief is that Tuesday is the best day to book a flight. The reason behind this is that airlines tend to announce new deals and discounts on Monday, so by Tuesday other airlines will aim to compete by lowering their prices for the same routes.
Sundays are the most expensive day to fly as people return to work and school on Monday, which drives up demand. If you're traveling internationally, the savings from flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday can add up, with average savings of $166 per ticket to Europe and $126 to Asia, Berg said.
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To find cheap flights, be flexible with dates (midweek is often cheaper), use incognito mode to avoid price hikes, book in advance (3-6 months for international, 1-3 for domestic), fly budget airlines (watch fees), use flight comparison sites like Google Flights/Skyscanner with price alerts, and consider alternative airports or multi-stop flights for big savings.
In my experience, travel aggregators like Booking.com, Skyscanner, and Kayak offer cheaper fares than booking direct with the airline. Sometimes they'll even direct you to the airline if their price is the best.
Weekday flights often show better value
According to historic trends, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays often show better value, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be pricier due to higher demand. Use Skyscanner's 'Whole Month' search to compare prices over time and find your ideal booking window.
Domestic flight prices tend to drop 1 to 3 months before departure, especially for non-peak travel times (more like 3 to 5 months for peak travel seasons). However, waiting too long can backfire, as last-minute fares usually increase.
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The answer is yes, Skyscanner is legit and highly trustworthy. And the reason why is this: Skyscanner is an independent company with the goal of helping you find the best option for your personal travel plans.