For 2026 travel, the cheapest time to buy plane tickets depends more on you book than the specific day of the week you purchase them. While "Travel Tuesday" was once a gold standard, dynamic pricing now makes great deals pop up any day. Optimal Booking Windows
Book 2 to 8 months ahead. For Europe, the sweet spot is often around 129 days (roughly 4 months) out. the cheapest time to buy plane tickets
To secure the best rates, aim for these "Goldilocks" windows where prices are typically at their lowest: For 2026 travel, the cheapest time to buy
Booking on Friday can save up to on domestic and 8% on international fares. Sunday also consistently shows lower average prices. Best Day to Fly Tuesday or Wednesday For Europe, the sweet spot is often around
Book 1 to 3 months in advance. Data from Expedia suggests prices often bottom out around 44 days before departure.
Shifting a departure from the weekend to midweek can save an average of per ticket. Budget-Friendly Months
Recent 2026 reports show a shift in which days yield the most savings. Cheapest Days Savings Potential Friday or Sunday