Best Time to Book Christmas Flights: Save Big This Season!

During the holiday season, there’s just no beating the delicious meals, catchy tunes, and intricate decorations. But while this time of the year has its magic, it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive times to travel, and finding cheap flights feels like an odyssey.

Booking your flights for Christmas well in advance is key to getting the best deals. While specific timing can vary depending on your destination, there are some general rules for securing the best prices. Understanding how far in advance to purchase and what factors influence pricing can help you optimize your flight planning. Let’s dive into when is the best time to book Christmas flights and what you need to know about securing the best deals.

Key Takeaways

• For the best prices, book within the Goldilocks Window. Then, add some extra time. This means you should book domestic flights 2–4 months in advance and international flights 4–10 months before your travel dates. Basically, book in the opposite season.
• Remember that flexibility is key. Exploring alternative dates, airports, and even destinations can significantly reduce costs.
• Last-minute bookings are rarely cheap, especially during the Christmas season, so book your tickets in advance.
• Leverage tools like Going to monitor flight deals and snag discounts as soon as they appear.

Understanding flight pricing dynamics

Scoring a cheap flight can seem like winning the lottery, but flight pricing dynamics play a major role. Airline ticket prices are determined by various factors, especially during high-demand periods like the Christmas season. As millions of travelers plan trips to reunite with family or enjoy festive getaways, airlines get the leverage to raise fares, especially on popular routes. Advance booking discounts offer a silver lining for early planners. Tickets purchased months in advance typically fall into the lowest fare categories, but these seats are limited. As the departure date nears and there are fewer remaining seats, prices increase.

Historical data also plays a key role in ticket pricing. Airlines rely on years of booking trends to anticipate demand, fine-tuning their strategies to maximize revenue. For holiday travel, this means that popular routes and dates are priced higher well in advance. Understanding these dynamics is key for holiday travelers, as booking early or using tools that track price trends (such as Going) can help secure the best deals amidst the seasonal rush.

The best time to book Christmas flights

Best time to book international flights for Christmas

Best time to book flights to Europe for Christmas

Europe becomes a magical fairytale land during the holiday season. Cities like Vienna, Prague, and Strasbourg transform into winter wonderlands with world-renowned Christmas markets and stunning decorations throughout their streets. Needless to say, this charm draws many—which means increased demand. The ideal time to book flights to Europe for Christmas is 6–9 months in advance, and prices rise steeply after mid-September.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $513 roundtrip
• Accommodation: Hotels average $100–$220 per night in major cities.
• Food costs: $30–$80 per day, including festive treats at Christmas markets
• Festive highlights: Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt, Prague’s Old Town Square Market, and midnight Mass at Sacré-Cœur in Paris

Best time to book flights to Australia for Christmas

In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer, making cities like Sydney and Melbourne prime spots for beach celebrations and outdoor barbecues. Flights to Australia should be booked around 8 months in advance, as holiday travel also coincides with the Australian school vacation period.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $800 roundtrip
• Accommodation: Hotels average $120–$250 per night in major cities.
• Food costs: $60–$100 per day, including seafood feasts (typical of Australian Christmas)
• Festive highlights: Sydney’s Bondi Beach Christmas Day party and Melbourne’s Christmas projections at Federation Square

Best time to book flights to Latin America for Christmas

Latin American countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil come alive with vibrant celebrations during Christmas. Cities like Mexico City host grand Nativity displays, while Rio de Janeiro celebrates with festive parades. Book flights 5–8 months in advance to secure good prices.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $346 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $60–$100 per night
• Food costs: $30–$70 per day
• Festive highlights: Posadas in Mexico City, the Feria de Cali in Colombia, and beachside festivities in Rio

Best time to book flights to India for Christmas

While India is not predominantly Christian, cities like Goa host incredible Christmas celebrations with beach parties and midnight masses. Christmas in India is also known as Bada Din or "Big Day," and it’s a vibrant celebration that reflects the country's cultural diversity. To score a great deal, book 5–7 months in advance.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $690 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $55–$100 per night in major cities
• Food costs: $20–$40 per day, including festive Goa treats like rose cookies and Allahabadi cake
• Festive highlights: Christmas feasts in Goa, Kerala’s cultural performances

Best time to book flights to Africa for Christmas

Africa’s appeal during the holiday season is not limited to Christmas celebrations. While Christmas is observed in many countries, such as South Africa and Ethiopia, the continent also offers unique experiences. For example, Zanzibar combines laid-back beach vibes with vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations. Flights to Africa should be booked 6–8 months in advance for optimal savings, especially since December coincides with summer.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $699 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $80–$200 per night (luxury safari lodges may cost significantly more)
• Food costs: $40–$70 per day
• Festive highlights: Cape Town’s summer concerts, Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas on January 7

Best time to book flights to Asia for Christmas

Asia offers a mix of holiday experiences, from cities like Tokyo that embrace Western Christmas traditions with dazzling illuminations to destinations like Bali, which focuses on tropical New Year’s celebrations. In places such as the Philippines, where Christmas is celebrated as a major holiday, visitors can experience one of the longest festive seasons in the world, filled with parades and midnight masses. For the best prices, book flights to Asia 5–9 months in advance.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $840 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $120–$200 per night in major cities
• Food costs: $20–$50 per day, including Tokyo’s Christmas-themed dining experiences
• Festive highlights: Chiang Mai Lantern Festival, Tokyo’s Christmas celebrations, Hội An’s lantern-lit streets

Best time to book domestic flights for Christmas

Best time to book flights to Hawaii for Christmas

Hawaii is one of the most popular domestic destinations for Christmas. Who wouldn’t want to spend their holidays celebrating on sunny beaches and at festive luaus? As demand is high, you should book flights 3–6 months in advance to find the best prices. 

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $377 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $200–$300 per night in resorts
• Food costs: $50–$80 per day
• Festive highlights: Waikiki’s Christmas parade

Best time to book flights to New York for Christmas

Thanks to movies like Home Alone 2 and Scrooged, New York City has positioned itself as one of the most popular places to visit during Christmas. With iconic landmarks like the Rockefeller Center tree and the famous holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, it is a magical holiday spot to visit. To score a deal, book 2–5 months before your flight.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $155 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $200–$400 per night
• Food costs: $50–$100 per day
• Festive highlights: The Rockefeller tree, ice skating in Central Park, Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Best time to book flights to Miami for Christmas

Miami also offers a sunny escape from the cold with vibrant holiday events. Flights for Christmas should be booked 2–4 months in advance. Demand for beach destinations like Miami is always high, so booking ahead of time ensures better prices.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $181 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $150–$300 per night
• Food costs: $30–$70 per day
• Festive highlights: Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Best time to book flights to Washington, DC, for Christmas

Washington, DC, is also a popular destination during Christmas thanks to its holiday-themed events and timeless historical sites. To find affordable fares, book your flights 2–4 months ahead. 

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $143 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $150–$250 per night
• Food costs: $50–$80 per day
• Festive highlights: The National Christmas Tree, holiday events at Mount Vernon

Best time to book flights to Chicago for Christmas

The Windy City’s festive spirit and famous Christmas markets make it a must-visit during the holidays. These flights should be booked 2–4 months ahead. Remember that wintertime in Chicago is peak season, and prices climb as Christmas approaches.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $147 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $150–$250 per night
• Food costs: $30–$80 per day
• Festive highlights: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Navy Pier's Winter WonderFest

Best time to book flights to Aspen for Christmas

Aspen is a luxury destination for Christmas, drawing skiers and families for the holiday season. Flights to Aspen should be booked 4–6 months in advance, as this high-demand destination fills up quickly.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $290 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $250–$500 per night
• Food costs: $60–$100 per day
• Festive highlights: Snowmass torchlight parade

Best time to book flights to San Francisco for Christmas

San Francisco also offers holiday festivities. Book flights 2–4 months in advance to find the best fares. 

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $172 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $150–$300 per night
• Food costs: $45–$90 per day
• Festive highlights: Ice skating at Union Square, Golden Gate Park light displays

Best time to book flights to Austin for Christmas

Austin’s lively music scene and warm weather make it a fantastic Christmas getaway. To find the best rates, book flights 2–4 months in advance. Early booking will help you lock in lower fares for this popular destination.

• Average Going deal cost during the holidays: $180 roundtrip
• Accommodation: $100–$250 per night
• Food costs: $50–$80 per day
• Festive highlights: Zilker Park Trail of Lights, holiday concerts at the Paramount Theatre

How to get the cheapest flights for Christmas

Don’t wait until the last minute to book flights

One of the biggest misconceptions about the cheapest days to book flights is that the later you buy your flight, the cheaper it is. Unfortunately, while you can find cheap last-minute flights, they are uncommon. 

And last-minute bookings during the Christmas season are even rarer. Airlines know that travelers booking late are usually desperate, so they hike prices. Prices also increase sharply in the three weeks leading up to the holiday, making early planning crucial.

Ideal booking time: the Goldilocks Window

If finding a great last-minute deal is off the table, when’s the best time to book a flight? You should aim for the “Goldilocks Window”: that moment before your trip—not too early or too late—when you will most likely spot a great fare. The window for Christmas travel is slightly different than for other times of the year. Aim to book 3–5 months ahead for domestic flights and 4–10 months in advance for international travel.

A tip from experience? Book during the opposite season to lock in the best prices. Whether you’re planning a tropical Christmas getaway or a holiday tour of European capitals, search for your December flights in the summer. 

Keep it flexible

If you’re dreading awkward family conversations over dry turkey and want to trade the predictable holiday routine for an exciting trip (and you don’t want to stick to a specific destination), flexibility can help you find a good deal. By exploring alternative destinations with lower demand, you can save significantly on airfare and accommodations.

For example, instead of a crowded European city like Paris, consider less-touristy gems like Kraków or Valencia. If you’re open to switching up your beach getaway, swap Cancún for Mazatlán or the Maldives for Zanzibar. Small changes can lead to big savings—and sometimes even more memorable and unique experiences.

Consider alternative airports

Even if your destination is non-negotiable, there’s still room to save by being strategic about which airport you use. Check prices at nearby airports rather than just the main hubs. For instance, if you’re flying to New York, compare costs for Newark and LaGuardia instead of only focusing on JFK. 

This strategy works on the departure side as well. Smaller regional airports near your hometown might offer lower prices than the larger ones, especially if budget carriers operate there.

Check bookings for groups vs. individually

Booking multiple seats at once can occasionally cost more than booking them separately. This happens because airlines sell tickets in “fare buckets” (price groups). For instance, if there’s only one ticket left in the lowest bucket, the airline will give you two seats in the next bucket when you could book one in each section for a lower price.

If you’re okay with not sitting together, try booking seats separately to save money. This method is useful for groups of any size—whether it’s a family of four or a group of ten friends. The best part? You can try reaching out to the airline afterward to combine your itineraries. This can increase your chances of being seated together.

Use miles, points, and loyalty programs

This year, instead of claiming your credit card points to buy presents, use them to fund your Christmas trip. Card points and loyalty programs are a great way to reduce airfare costs. Whether you’re using miles earned through frequent flyer programs or points accumulated on your card, these rewards can often cover the cost of your ticket entirely. For the best value, we suggest transferring credit card points to airline partners rather than redeeming them for cash back.

Track historical prices to detect patterns

Understanding past pricing trends can give you a significant advantage when planning Christmas travel. Tools like Google Flights display a price graph showing historical data, allowing you to identify seasonal spikes and dips that may affect your chosen route, but Going goes even further.

When tracking a flight with Going’s travel membership trial, you'll see the current price alongside valuable context, such as the average deal price, the highest price still considered a deal, the most recent deal offered, and even the lowest price ever recorded for that route. This level of detail ensures you're not just booking a flight but choosing it at the right time for the best possible price.

Fly off-peak and not very popular time frames

Most travelers aim to fly on weekends surrounding Christmas, creating a surge in demand that drives up ticket prices. But here’s a travel hack: Scheduling your departure a week before the holiday rush and returning the week after can often result in significant savings. 

For even cheaper flights, consider flying on Christmas Day itself. While it might not be the most traditional way to spend the holiday, it can dramatically cut costs. Airlines often offer lower fares for flights on December 25 since fewer people want to travel on the actual holiday.

And timing matters, too. Early morning, late night, and red-eye flights are usually less desirable, making them a prime opportunity for budget travelers. Sure, they might disrupt your sleep schedule, but the savings can be well worth the inconvenience.

Ready to save big on Christmas flights? Download the Going app today, and let the best deals come to you!

Find the cheapest Christmas flights with price trackers

Price trackers are essential tools for scoring affordable flights, especially during the holiday season. These platforms monitor price trends and send you alerts when fares drop, taking the guesswork out of finding deals. Here’s how some of the best options work, with a step-by-step guide to setting up alerts.

Going

Going simplifies finding cheap flights by offering curated deal alerts based on your preferences. To get started, visit the Going website or download the app and create an account. During sign-up, you’ll be prompted to select your home airport. Going will show you how many deals originate from your chosen airport and suggest nearby or relevant airports to follow for better coverage. 

Then, you can select one of our membership tiers based on your travel needs. Our Limited members get free alerts for continental US flights, but you can also try Premium for free to receive economy deals for both international and domestic flights (including Alaska and Hawaiʻi). 

You can even try our Elite membership, which gets everything Premium but also has the option to receive deals in premium economy, business, and first class. Plus, Premium and Elite members get every single mistake fare we find. For more information, you can check our membership guide.

After signing up, you can view a history of recent deals in your account, some of which might still be active. This gives you a head start in understanding the kinds of savings you can expect. If you want to stay on top of the latest cheap flights, download the Going app. Then, you can select how you’d like to receive alerts—via email, push notifications, or both.

Once your account is set up, Going will notify you whenever a new deal arises from your selected airports. Watch your inbox and phone for alerts on the best opportunities to save. With Going’s personalized alerts, you can trust that every deal is curated for you to find the flight you want at the best price.

Google Flights

Google Flights is a popular tool for comparing airfare across multiple airlines. Its intuitive design makes it easy to navigate, and the integrated price tracking feature helps you monitor fares over time. To learn how to set Google Flights alerts, start by visiting their website and entering your departure and destination airports. 

Once you have selected your cities, you can specify exact dates or opt for flexible travel windows to see the best options. Review the search results, and toggle the “Track Prices” feature to activate alerts. Remember that you’ll need to sign in with your Google account to receive email notifications.

For added convenience, you can view all your tracked prices and historical trends by accessing the “Tracked Prices” tab in the menu. To find the best flights, use its Explore tool, which helps you discover deals to multiple destinations if your travel plans are flexible. 

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is an excellent choice for travelers who value flexibility. With its user-friendly platform, you can easily compare flights, find cheaper travel dates, or explore alternative routes. To start tracking prices, head to Skyscanner and enter your departure and arrival airports. You can leave the date field flexible to see a range of options. Activate the “Get Price Alerts” button to track price changes for your chosen route. 

After signing up or logging in, Skyscanner will send notifications when fares fluctuate. Skyscanner's interactive calendar displays budget-friendly dates—an interesting feature for those who prefer spontaneous adventures or are planning their vacations on a budget.

Book the cheapest Christmas flights with Going!

Who says that gifting yourself a Christmas vacation has to come with a hefty credit card bill? By planning ahead, staying flexible, and trusting Going, you can enjoy significant savings on flights. Our expert alerts ensure you’re always informed of the best deals so you can focus on enjoying your holiday.

Make this Christmas travel season stress-free—sign up for Going today, and start saving!