Finding affordable airfare during the busy holiday season can feel impossible. With everyone booking at the same time, prices surge and cheap seats vanish quickly. But with a few smart strategies and timely planning, you can significantly cut your travel costs—even during peak periods. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to find cheap flights during the holiday season and avoid common pitfalls that cost travelers extra money.
Why Are Holiday Flights So Expensive?
The simple answer is supply and demand. Airlines know millions of people want to travel during holidays, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year. With limited seats and high demand, prices increase rapidly—especially closer to the travel date.
Best Strategies to Find Cheap Holiday Flights
1. Book Early
Booking in advance is one of the most reliable ways to save money on flights. Ideally, you should start looking 2–3 months ahead. For international flights, consider 3–6 months in advance.
Pro Tip: Use flight alert tools like Google Flights or Hopper to track fare changes and get notified when prices drop.
2. Be Flexible with Dates
Flexibility can save you hundreds of dollars. Instead of flying on peak days like December 23rd or January 2nd, consider traveling on the actual holiday (e.g., Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve) when fewer people fly.
| Date | Expected Fare | Travel Demand | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23 | High | Very High | Avoid |
| Dec 25 | Low-Mid | Low | Ideal |
| Dec 31 | Mid | Medium | Acceptable |
| Jan 2 | High | Very High | Avoid |
| Jan 4 | Low-Mid | Low | Ideal |
3. Use Flight Comparison Websites
Platforms like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Momondo compare flight prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms. Always double-check across different sites before making a decision.
4. Search in Incognito Mode
Airlines and travel websites often use cookies to track searches. If they see you checking a flight repeatedly, the price may go up. To avoid this, search using incognito mode or clear your browser history before each session.
5. Use Points and Miles
If you’ve been collecting credit card rewards or frequent flyer miles, the holiday season is the perfect time to redeem them. This can offset high prices or even cover your entire trip.
6. Consider Nearby Airports
Flying out of or into alternate airports can reduce costs. For example, instead of flying to Los Angeles (LAX), check nearby airports like Burbank (BUR) or Long Beach (LGB).
7. Book Connecting Flights
While direct flights are convenient, they’re usually more expensive. Consider booking a connecting flight—it may add a few hours to your travel time, but it could save you a significant amount of money.
8. Travel Light
Many budget airlines offer lower fares but charge for baggage. By packing light and traveling with only a carry-on, you can avoid extra fees.
9. Use Budget Airlines
Airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, and EasyJet often offer great deals. Just be sure to read the fine print regarding luggage and extra fees.
10. Set Price Alerts
Don’t rely on manual searches. Set alerts for your desired destinations to get notified instantly when prices drop. Apps like Hopper or Airfarewatchdog are great tools for this.
Best Days and Times to Book Holiday Flights
Experts suggest that Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have lower fares compared to weekends. Booking your flight early in the morning or late at night can also yield cheaper prices.
Travel Hacks for Extra Savings
- Split Your Ticket: Sometimes booking two one-way tickets is cheaper than a round-trip.
- Use a VPN: Changing your virtual location might display lower fares.
- Sign Up for Airline Newsletters: Gain early access to sales and exclusive deals.
- Follow Airlines on Social Media: Flash deals are often announced there.
Eco-Friendly Tip for Holiday Travelers
While planning your holiday trip, consider adding stops to eco-friendly travel destinations in 2025. Many airlines now offer carbon offset options, and you can combine affordable airfare with sustainable tourism to make your travel greener.
FAQs on Finding Cheap Holiday Flights
Q1: When is the best time to book holiday flights?
Answer: Ideally, 2–3 months in advance for domestic flights and 3–6 months for international trips.
Q2: Do flight prices go down closer to the holiday?
Answer: Rarely. Prices typically increase as the holiday approaches. Last-minute deals are uncommon during peak seasons.
Q3: What’s the cheapest day to fly during the holidays?
Answer: Flying on the holiday itself (e.g., December 25th or January 1st) tends to be cheaper due to lower demand.
Q4: Is it cheaper to book round-trip or one-way during holidays?
Answer: It depends. Sometimes booking two one-way tickets with different airlines is more affordable than a round-trip.
Q5: How can I avoid paying extra for baggage?
Answer: Travel with only a carry-on bag and choose airlines that offer free baggage as part of the ticket price.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap flights during the holiday season isn’t impossible—it just takes planning, flexibility, and a bit of research. Book early, compare prices across platforms, stay open to alternate routes, and use smart tools like flight alerts. With these strategies, you can save significantly on airfare and allocate more of your holiday budget toward fun and family.
And if you’re planning a sustainable trip, consider integrating stops at eco-friendly travel destinations in 2025. Travel doesn’t just have to be cheap—it can be responsible too.22
