Best Time to Book Christmas Flights 2026 & New Year

Holiday flights are expensive this year. Hopper’s 2026 research puts the average domestic round trip for Christmas at about $452, up 23% from last year and the highest in a decade. So if you’re still trying to figure out when to book and which days to fly, you’re not alone.

Here’s the short version: late October through mid-November is the key booking window for Christmas flights. If you haven’t booked yet, now is the time to start comparing fares. Waiting for a last-minute deal during the holidays rarely pays off.

This guide covers when to book, which dates to compare for Christmas and New Year’s, and simple ways to avoid paying more than you need to.

When Is the Best Time to Book Christmas Flights in 2026?

According to Google Flights’ 2026 holiday travel analysis, Christmas fares have historically been lowest about 56 days before departure, with a low-price range of roughly 33 to 67 days before you fly.

On the 2026 calendar, that means the best time to book Christmas flights falls between late October and mid-November. If you’re flying on December 21, for example, 33 days out is November 18. After that, you’re past the historical low-price range.

For general booking timing outside the holidays, see our guide on the best time to book a flight.

Cheapest Days to Fly for Christmas 2026

When you fly matters even more than when you book. Here’s what the 2026 research shows:

What this means for you: The weekend before Christmas is when the most people want to fly, so it costs the most. Shifting your trip by just a few days, like leaving Monday, December 21 instead of Saturday, December 19, could save you money. KAYAK found December 21 and 22 were about 18% cheaper than the priciest day for domestic flights.

Domestic vs international: The best days aren’t the same. For trips within the US, Monday and Tuesday before Christmas look best. For international trips, KAYAK found Christmas Eve week, December 23 and 24, offered better value.

Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? If your plans are flexible, these days are often quieter and can be cheaper. Just compare them against nearby dates for your route. Browse cheap domestic flights in the USA for more ideas.

Best Time to Book New Year’s Flights for 2026–2027

New Year’s trips are a little different because they cross into January. You’re dealing with two busy periods: people heading out to celebrate, and everyone coming home before work and school start again.

There’s no single “best” day to book New Year’s flights. But since these trips overlap with Christmas travel, booking around the same time, by mid-November, is a safe bet. Waiting until late December usually means fewer seats and fewer good flight times.

Watch your return date. A cheap outbound flight doesn’t help much if you come home on the busiest day. The return often makes the biggest difference to your total fare.

Cheapest Days to Fly Around New Year’s Eve 2026

Why the research disagrees on January 2: Hopper found average fares climb past $560 for returns on January 2. A KAYAK travel expert, on the other hand, said waiting until January 2 to fly home could cost 45% less than flying on December 27. Different companies use different data and compare different dates, so the cheapest day really depends on your route. Always compare a few return dates before booking.

For more on day-by-day pricing, see our guide to the cheapest day to fly.

Is It Cheaper to Book Flights on Tuesday or Wednesday?

You’ve probably heard that buying a ticket on a Tuesday gets you the best price. It’s mostly a myth.

First, the day you buy a ticket is different from the day you fly. Google’s five-year analysis found that buying on a Wednesday saves only about 1.4% on average compared with Sunday. That’s very little.

What actually matters is which days you travel. Moving your departure from a peak weekend to a quieter weekday can make a much bigger difference than picking a particular day to click “book.”

How to Find Cheaper Christmas and New Year Flights

Common Mistakes When Booking Holiday Flights

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I book Christmas flights for 2026?

As soon as you can, ideally by mid-November. Google Flights found Christmas fares are historically lowest about 56 days before departure, within a range of 33 to 67 days, which puts the best window between late October and mid-November.

2. What are the cheapest days to fly for Christmas 2026?

For domestic trips, Monday, December 21 and Tuesday, December 22 look like better-value departure days, according to Hopper and KAYAK. For international trips, KAYAK points to December 23 and 24. The weekend of December 18 to 20 is among the most expensive.

3. Is Christmas Eve a cheap day to fly?

It can be. Christmas Eve is often quieter than the weekend before, and KAYAK found it was a better-value day for international trips in 2026. Compare it with nearby dates for your specific route.

4. When should I book New Year’s flights?

Book around the same time as Christmas flights, by mid-November if possible. Waiting until late December usually means fewer seats and fewer good flight times, especially for popular return dates.

5. Is flying on New Year’s Day cheaper?

It can be. Expedia’s holiday analysis identified January 1 as a lower-priced return day. But fares depend on your route, so compare January 1 with the days around it before you book.

6. Are flights cheaper on Tuesday or Wednesday?

Buying a ticket on those days saves very little. Google found Wednesday purchases average only about 1.4% less than Sunday. Choosing quieter travel days makes a much bigger difference.

7. Should I wait until December to book Christmas flights?

Generally, no. December is past the historical low-price window for Christmas travel, and fares tend to rise as flights fill up. If you see a fare that works for you now, it’s usually wise to book it.

The Bottom Line

Holiday flights are pricey in 2026, but a little timing goes a long way. Book by mid-November if you can, skip the December 18–20 weekend, and avoid returning on December 27. For New Year’s, compare several return dates, since the cheapest one depends on your route.

Whether you’re heading home to family or spending Christmas in New York, comparing dates and total fares is the best way to keep your trip affordable.