Planning Christmas Travel? The Exact Window To Save Up To 20% And Where To Go

Christmas is less than three months away, and if a holiday trip is on your mind, the flight tickets are probably the first thing to sort out. Waiting for a last-minute deal sounds tempting, but a recent report by Times Now, based on Google's holiday travel data, suggests that's no longer the smartest move.

The Best Time To Book Your Christmas Flight

Google looked at five years of Google Flights data and found that Christmas fares usually hit their lowest point around 56 days before departure. The wider low-price window sits between 33 and 67 days before take-off. For Christmas 2026, that means keeping an eye on fares from late October to mid-November. This sweet spot has also moved about five days earlier than last year.

That doesn't mean you should sit and wait for day 56 to arrive. Google's advice is to book as early as you can, especially if your dates and destination are already fixed.

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Flying Abroad? Book Even Earlier

For international trips, the data leans even more towards early booking. Fares dropped to their lowest average around 89 days before departure. Google also points out that waiting within the wider low-price range doesn't bring much extra benefit, so there's no need to refresh the app every hour.

How To Get Cheaper Flight Tickets This Christmas 2026

• Fly midweek: Weekend flights are always the most expensive. If you can leave on a Monday and come back on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can save around 14% easily.
• Shift your dates: Everyone wants to fly on Christmas Day or the day before. If you shift your travel by just a day or two, fares drop quite a bit.
• Choose a layover: Nonstop is convenient but costs about 20% more on average. A connecting flight can save you a lot if you don't mind an extra hour or two.
• Set a fare alert: Don't keep checking manually. Turn on price tracking on Google Flights or any booking app. You'll get an alert when the price drops, especially in the late October to mid-November window.
• Compare nearby airports: If your city has two airports, compare both. Sometimes the same airline charges very different fares just because of the airport.
• Don't stress about the booking day: Yes, Wednesday was the cheapest day to book, but the difference was only about 1.4%. So if you see a good fare, just grab it - don't overthink the day.

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Where Are People Heading This Christmas?

If you haven't picked a destination yet, Google's list of trending places shows where interest is growing. Athens in Greece tops the international list, followed by Québec City in Canada, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Hanoi in Vietnam and Guatemala City in Guatemala. These saw the biggest jump in Google Flights searches compared to last year.

Athens offers ancient history, Mediterranean food and a cosy winter city break. Québec City has a festive feel that suits the season, while Rio is the pick for a warm escape. Hanoi brings Southeast Asian culture and street food into the mix, and Guatemala City works well if you want something less usual.

Image Credits: Pinterest
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