What Is the Cheapest Day to Fly?
Let me guess—you’ve been deep in the Google vortex, bouncing between travel blogs, airline hacks, and TikToks claiming Tuesday is the golden day to book that flight to Miami or LA. Or maybe someone at brunch swore by Wednesdays because “that’s when business travelers don’t fly.” Sound familiar?
Well, you’re not alone—and yep, I’ve been there too.
So let’s cut through the noise. If you’re trying to crack the code of budget travel and actually save on your next trip, you’re in the right place.
So, What Is the Cheapest Day to Fly?
Generally speaking, Tuesday and Wednesday are your best bets.
Yep, it turns out that midweek flights are often the cheapest. This is backed by data from tools like Hopper and Google Flights, which analyze millions of fares.
But—and this is a big but—there’s more to it than just picking a random Tuesday and hitting “book now.”
Why Are Tuesday and Wednesday the Cheapest?
Here’s the logic:
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Low demand = lower prices. Most people prefer flying on Fridays or Sundays. Airlines know this—and crank up the prices.
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Fewer business travelers. Midweek flights avoid the Monday/Friday work crowd.
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Less competition for seats. And fewer passengers = better prices (and maybe even a whole row to yourself).
Still, as NerdWallet reminds us in their guide, flight pricing changes based on demand, holidays, and even school calendars.
What About the Cheapest Day to Book a Flight?
That myth about booking on a Tuesday at 3 p.m.? It’s been mostly debunked.
Instead, experts recommend booking early and being flexible with your dates.
According to Hopper’s 2024 Flight Price Forecast, the ideal time to book:
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Domestic flights: 1–3 months in advance
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International flights: 2–8 months ahead
Best Time of Day to Fly Cheap
You’re not gonna love this…
Early morning or red-eye flights are almost always cheaper. Why? Because most of us don’t want to be at the airport at 4:45 a.m. But airlines love filling those empty planes.
Google Flights shows that prices often drop for flights leaving before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
So if you’re cool with flying half-asleep, you’ll definitely save a buck or two.
Worst Days to Fly (aka Wallet Drainers)
Avoid these if you’re even thinking about saving money:
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Fridays & Sundays – Weekend warriors and business travelers drive up demand.
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Holidays – Obvious, but painful. Prices skyrocket around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer long weekends.
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Mondays – Especially for routes like NYC to San Francisco or DC to LA.
As NerdWallet confirms, these days are historically more expensive unless you catch a last-minute fluke.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the cheapest day to fly internationally?
Still midweek. Hopper’s data shows Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheapest for international routes—especially when flying mid-season (like spring or fall).
❓ Does it matter when I book?
Definitely. According to CheapAir’s Annual Study, there’s a “prime booking window” where you’ll find the lowest prices—neither too early nor too late.
❓ Do last-minute deals still exist?
Rarely. Unless you’re flying solo with zero plans, most “last-minute” fares are either expensive or highly inconvenient. The glory days of cheap standby tickets are pretty much gone.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Here’s what we learned:
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Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to fly.
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Book early, stay flexible, and check trusted sources like Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner.
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Fly early or late if you’re cool with sacrificing sleep for savings.
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Avoid Fridays, Sundays, and holidays unless you want to donate extra cash to the airline gods.
Bottom line? Flight pricing is weird, dynamic, and kind of like dating—confusing, unpredictable, and occasionally rewarding.
But hey, you’ve got this.
