Passengers will walk through the entrance to TSA Precheck at Terminal 1 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on February 1, 2017.
Armando L. Sanchez | Chicago Tribune | Getty Images
Finding cheap flights can sometimes feel as tough as getting a decent snack on an airplane.
However, travel experts generally agree with one piece of advice to get a lot about airfares.
“It’s always our No. 1 advice for travelers,” says James Byers, head of the Google Flights product team.
Flexibility can mean that you can fly mid-week instead on weekends or go outside the peak season at certain destinations, he and other experts said.
“Don’t lock yourself up on a really specific date,” Byers said.
Even moving in either direction one or two days at a time can make “a big difference,” he said.
The cheapest day to fly
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest days to fly. According to data from the new Google Flight, tickets are 13% cheaper than weekend flight tickets.
Google has investigated the average round-trip airfares from January 1, 2021 to August 1, 2025. We analyzed 16-day trips starting from the top 4,000 US markets.
According to Hopper’s 2025 Travel Hacks report, mid-week departures are a “easy way” to save $42 on tickets or about 14% for home airfares.
Sundays are often the most expensive day to fly, Haleyberg, Hopper’s lead economist, wrote in a report. When people go home from the weekend, it’s usually a busy day at the airport, she writes.
“Travelers thinking about weekend getaways can save a lot by leaving mid-week instead of Sunday and returning on Saturday or Monday,” Berg wrote.
More details from personal finance:
How to save on phone bills when traveling abroad
A wealthy American travelling to Europe to dodge tariffs on luxury goods
TSA Precheck membership still has “persuasive benefits”
Of course, on holidays you can throw a wrench at these guidelines.
For example, flying on a Wednesday before Thanksgiving is likely the most expensive day to fly around that particular holiday, said Sally French, a travel analyst at Nerdwallet.
As an additional bonus, skipping weekend trips will give you a big discount on the hotel. According to Hopper data, checking in on Friday or Saturday and staying until Sunday generally means paying more than 20% premiums, or about $50 per night, compared to the cheapest days to check in, such as Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Don’t fall into this trip “myth”
Can’t you afford a hotel? Travelers can have staff take photos at the pool.
Daniloandjus | E+ | Getty Images
Many travelers fall into the “myth” that the day of the week they buy their flights has a huge financial effect, French said.
“That’s not true,” she said. “It’s not the day you book (it’s important), it’s the day you fly.”
According to an analysis by Google Flights, Tuesday was historically the cheapest day to book, but it’s 1.3% cheaper than the most expensive day.
“If I was giving advice from friends and family on what to look for, that would be a factor in the list,” Byers said. “I’m not saying, ‘Wait till Tuesday.’ ”
Travel outside of peak season
These alternative travel trends offer something different to a typical vacation.
Alexandr Dubynin |Moment | Getty Images
Flexibility at a more macro level also helps reduce airfares, the Frenchman said.
“It can be helpful to just go in a less crowded month,” she said.
This could mean traveling during the shoulder season or offseason of the destination, experts said.
Airfares generally peak during the summer and drop as they approach early mornings, Berg wrote. For example, domestic travelers in 2024 saved an average of 40%, or about $150.
Of course, it may be difficult for certain travelers to be flexible.
Parents may be tied to summer trips due to school leave schedules, but workers in certain roles, such as teachers and tax returners, may be restricted when they are able to take time off work.
Additionally, tours and cruises generally come with strict start and end dates, and French said it would be economically meaningless to tackle additional days and additional hotel and food costs at the start or end of a trip.
Other Airfare Hacks
D3Sign |Moment |Getty Images
However, experts say there are other ways to store it.
Layovers can potentially be a burden, but in many cases it is a surefire way to save money. According to Google Flights, booking itinerary on Labour saves travelers on average about 22% on non-stop flights.
Don’t forget to pack all the essential items for your trip to your trip, just in case your suitcase doesn’t reach your next plane, French said.
You can book first or wait until the very end, often saving, experts said.
According to Google Flights, the lowest price was 39 days before the departure of the domestic flight, internationally 49 days. The target may vary depending on the destination, experts said.
