Google Flights data collected between 2021 and 2025 shows that the cheapest days to depart are Tuesday, Monday and Wednesday, with prices up to 20% lower than on weekends. Buying tickets between 21 and 52 days before travel usually yields the biggest savings, but for international flights it is wise to buy your ticket 50 – 101 days before departure. You can save even more by choosing connecting flights and turning on price tracking. When and on which day are airline tickets the cheapest?!
According to the data Google Flights, collected by Google between 2021 and 2025, there are several ways travelers can significantly reduce costs airline tickets – from choosing the optimal day to fly to booking early and using the price tracking feature. Below are key tips for finding the most affordable routes and buying tickets. So – when and on which day are flight tickets the cheapest.
Cheapest days to travel – choose these days of the week!
The highest demand and therefore the highest prices are usually on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as these are the days before and after the weekend. Google Flights advises that the most affordable days to depart are:
- Tuesday (cheapest),
- Monday and
- Wednesday.
If you choose to travel on one of these days, you can save approximately compared to departures during the weekend. 13 %– 20 %.
The most expensive day to travel is Sundaywhen demand and therefore prices peak.
Connecting flights – savings and compromise
Data shows that connecting flights are often cheaper than direct flights. On average, you can save by choosing connecting flights over 90 USD/comparable euros per ticket. Of course, this way of traveling is more expensive in terms of time and possibly more tiring due to transfers, but it is a logical choice for those who want to save as much as possible.
Best time to buy tickets
For domestic flights (USA): when and on what day are airfares cheapest
- 38 days before flight: average of the lowest prices.
- interval 21–52 days before flight: recommended period for buying, as prices are usually up to 20 % lower as on the day of departure.
For international flights: when and on what day are airline tickets cheapest?
- interval 50–101 days before travel: ideal period for buying, as prices start to rise significantly after 50 days before departure.
Different sources indicate slight discrepancies: some recommend buying 36–72 days before traveling, with the average lowest prices being around 58 days before departure, but the general recommendation remains – book at least a month or two before your trip.
Price tracking and flexibility:
Google Flights lets you turn on price tracking for your chosen route and date. You'll receive a notification when the price of your ticket changes by a significant amount. It's also recommended to:
- be flexible with departure and return dates,
- monitor prices in different currencies,
- try the “Explore map” tool to find cheap destinations,
- compare offers on different platforms, but always book directly with the airline when possible.
Conclusion: when and on what day are airline tickets cheapest?
When buying airline tickets, the key is a planned combination of choosing the optimal departure day, booking in advance, and using Google Flights features like price tracking and the research map. By following these recommendations, you can save up to 20 % on a single card and reduce travel costs.
