What are the cheapest times of year to fly?
It’s much easier to save on airfare when your dates are flexible. Blame dynamic pricing: Prices constantly rise and fall depending on supply and demand, seasonality, and competition, among other factors. However, if you know the cheapest flying times of the year, you can plan your trip accordingly.
Christian Petzold, travel and tourism expert BCN TravelThe best time to book cheaper flights is during off-peak seasons when tourism slows down, he says. The only obstacle? “Off-peak seasons vary significantly by location because they are directly related to local climate, holidays and travel patterns.” “For example, ski resorts show their lowest prices in late spring and fall when there is no snow, while beach resorts may be more affordable during hurricane or rainy seasons.”
However, there is some general guidance worth following. Here’s what you need to know about the cheapest times of year to fly.
What is the cheapest month to fly in general?
It is a misconception that summer months are the most expensive time to travel; After all, it is the period when schools are closed and many families go on vacation. But according to 2025 Expedia Air Hacks reportAugust is actually the cheapest month to fly both domestically and internationally, and you can save up to 12% by booking your flight during the month.
A. 2025 Ski report The Summer Travel Survey reveals that domestic airfares in August cost an average of $376 and international airfares cost an average of $868, making it the cheapest month for warm-weather travelers.
If you’re on a budget, you may want to avoid planning a trip in March. Expedia’s report shows that this month is the most expensive month for travel; It’s spring break for many U.S. schools, and drier, less humid weather is drawing travelers to popular destinations like Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Experts agree that flight tickets are more expensive during major international holidays such as Christmas. “There will be tons of demand during these times, and that’s when airlines can respond with higher pricing,” explains Chief Operating Officer Kyle Maltz. Dollar Flight Club.
Maltz recommends booking your flights mid-week whenever possible. This is because demand is low and therefore prices tend to be lower. In fact, according to a rumor 2025 Google reportFlying Monday to Wednesday is about 13% cheaper than flying on the weekend.
What is the cheapest time of year to fly domestically?
Joe CroninThe travel expert and president of National Insurance International says it’s more affordable to fly domestically from January through early March and then from late August through the week before Thanksgiving.
To be more specific, US flight prices are lowest for the summer period August 11-August 2. 31, according to Kayak’s data. Kayak found that another budget-friendly window for domestic travel is May 19 to June 8, just before most U.S. schools open.
Thinking of upgrading your tickets? According to Expedia, flight premiums are cheapest in July and highest in February.
What is the cheapest time of year to fly internationally?
Cronin says you can also save on international flights by booking during the shoulder season from September to October, or between January and February after the holidays are over. Petzold has observed similar trends: “I usually find lots of sales from mid-January to early March and from October to early December,” he says.
According to Kayak’s report, international flight prices for summer travel are at their lowest between August 4 and August 2. 31.
Keep in mind that getting the lowest fare will depend on your destination. For example, warm weather means summer is high season for Europe, but wet weather means the same period is low season for Southeast Asia, Petzold says.
Cronin adds: “In Europe, the lowest prices generally occur in the winter months, excluding the Christmas holidays, while in Southeast Asia, the lowest airfares occur during the monsoon season, from mid-May to October. In the Caribbean, lower airfares generally coincide with the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.”
