How far in advance should you book your flights to get the best deal on airfare?
New data from Kayak reveals the best times to book the cheapest flights, depending on where in the world you’re traveling.
This online travel booking website aggregated data based on flight searches and bookings made in 2022 using the platform to identify the best times to book your flights.
The data also revealed the best days of the week to travel for the best price on airfare: in 2022, flights departing on Thursday or Friday were the cheapest.
When it comes to how far in advance you should book your flights, there’s no one answer; it depends on where you’re traveling to.
Domestic flights and international flights to destinations in the Americas and the Caribbean can be booked with much less notice, while international flights to far-flung destinations like Europe and Asia should be booked well in advance in order to score the best deals.
Here’s a breakdown of when to book your flights based on where you’re traveling:
North America
When to book: 3 weeks out
For trips close to home, you don’t need to book your flight too far in advance in order to get the best price. In fact, by booking too far out, you may end up paying a premium.
Booking your flight 3 weeks in advance for flights within North America offers the best deal.
Within the United States, flights to New York City, Chicago, and Austin had the lowest average fares, according to the data from Kayak.
Central America
When to book: 2 weeks out
Central America is an often-overlooked region that’s easily accessible from the U.S. and offers a rich variety of destinations for your next vacation.
Adventurous travelers can explore Mayan ruins and colonial cities in Guatemala, go scuba diving and relax on the beach of the Bay Islands in Honduras, or discover lush waterfalls, jungles, and wildlife in Costa Rica.
Since the best deals on airfare can be found just 2 weeks out, and flights from the U.S. are often very affordable, Central America is a great destination for last-minute getaways.
South America
When to book: 3 weeks out
For the best deals on flights to South America, 3 weeks out appears to be the ideal booking window.
According to Kayak, these destinations in South America have the cheapest average airfare from the United States:
- Bogotá, Colombia: $534
- Medellín, Colombia: $542
- Guayaquil, Ecuador: $642
- Lima, Peru: $691
- Quito, Ecuador: $712
Caribbean
When to book: 4 weeks out
Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway? The best time to book your vacation is about one month out in order to get the best price.
These are the cheapest Caribbean islands for a budget-friendly vacation this winter.
South Pacific
When to book: 3 months out
While a trip to the South Pacific is not cheap, it’s a bucket list item for many people.
You can save some money on your dream trip to Bora Bora or another South Pacific island by booking airfare 3 months in advance for the best deals.
Africa
When to book: 5 months out
Whether you want to explore the ancient pyramids of Egypt, go on safari in Kenya, or relax on the beaches of Zanzibar, the best time to book a flight to Africa is 5 months in advance.
Europe
When to book: 8 months out
If you have your eye on Europe, it’s best to plan in advance and book your flight 8 months out to save the most money.
According to Kayak, these are the European destinations with the cheapest average airfare from the United States:
- Lisbon, Portugal: $708
- Reykjavik, Iceland: $718
- Warsaw, Poland: $747
- Copenhagen, Denmark: $749
- Krakow, Poland: $766
Asia
When to book: 8 months out
Asia is another destination that you should be planning well in advance. For the best price on your long-haul flight to Asia, the time to book is 8 months out.
