In short
A common rule of thumb: book short European trips about one to three months ahead, long-haul trips about two to five months ahead, and holiday peaks as early as you can. Check the price history of your route before you decide.
Prices are set by demand. They are usually lowest when airlines want to fill planes early, then rise as seats sell, and sometimes drop again close to departure on weak routes. You cannot rely on last-minute drops.
Rules of thumb
| Trip | Book about | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short European trip | 1 to 3 months ahead | Many low-cost seats are sold early |
| Long-haul (Asia, Americas) | 2 to 5 months ahead | Fewer cheap seats, prices climb steadily |
| Christmas, New Year, summer holidays | As early as you can | Peak weeks sell out |
| Flexible weekend trip | Watch prices and buy when they dip | Cheap weeks appear and vanish |
These are general patterns, not guarantees.
How to decide for your trip
- Look at the price by week on your route. If your week is already a peak week, book now.
- If the price is normal for the route and you are sure about the dates, do not wait.
- If you are flexible, set a price alert and buy on a dip.
Questions
Is it cheaper to book on a certain day? Not reliably. The departure week matters more.
Do prices drop just before departure? Rarely on busy routes.
Find your cheap flightCheapest destinations from your airport and the cheapest week per route.
Compare flights →