When it comes to travel planning—whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a long-awaited overseas vacation—timing plays a huge role in determining how much you’ll spend. The best time to book flights & hotels can often be the difference between saving hundreds of dollars and paying premium rates.
In this detailed 2025 guide, you’ll discover expert-backed booking windows, proven strategies, insider hacks, and a travel calendar to help you lock in the best possible prices.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Book Flights in 2025
Thanks to booking platforms like Skyscanner, Expedia, and Booking.com, finding flights has never been easier. But there’s still an art to booking at exactly the right time to get the lowest fare.
Domestic Flights
- Ideal Booking Window: 1 to 3 months before your departure date. Booking too early or too late can result in higher fares.
- Best Days to Book: Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Airlines often release discounted fares midweek, making it the sweet spot for price drops.
- Avoid: Weekends, especially Fridays, when demand spikes and prices follow.
Example: If you’re planning a July weekend trip within your country, start monitoring prices in April or May, and finalize your booking on a Tuesday morning.
International Flights
- Ideal Booking Window: 3 to 6 months in advance. This gives you the best balance of choice and price.
- Best Booking Months by Destination:
- Europe: Book in January or February for summer travel.
- Asia: Book between October and December for spring or summer trips.
- USA/Canada: Book in March or April for summer holidays.
💡 Pro Tip: Skyscanner’s “Whole Month” and “Cheapest Month” features can show you the lowest-priced days to fly, helping you save without constant manual searches.
Best Time to Book Hotels in 2025
Hotel pricing works differently from airline pricing, but the principle of timing still applies. The best time to book hotels depends on your destination and the season.
For Major Cities
- Booking Window: 1 to 2 months in advance is usually enough to get competitive rates without missing out on good options.
- Avoid: Peak periods like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and local festivals when rates surge.
Example: If you’re visiting New York in October, aim to book your hotel in August for a better selection and better prices.
For Resorts & Beach Destinations
- Booking Window: 2 to 4 months in advance, especially during the high season (December–March). This is when demand is highest, and early booking locks in lower rates.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Agoda, Hotels.com, and Booking.com for app-exclusive deals and member-only discounts. Signing up is free, and the savings can be significant.
Insider Booking Hacks for Extra Savings
If you want to go beyond just knowing the best time to book flights & hotels, these tried-and-tested strategies can give you an extra edge:
- Set Price Alerts – Tools like Skyscanner and Expedia notify you when prices drop for your selected route or destination.
- Bundle Bookings – Booking flights and hotels together often triggers package discounts you wouldn’t get booking separately.
- Use Incognito Mode – Searching repeatedly for the same route can sometimes cause prices to rise due to tracking cookies. Going incognito helps avoid this.
- Cashback & Promo Codes – Before booking, check your credit card offers and sites like RetailMeNot for discount codes.
- Be Flexible – Even a one-day shift in your departure or return date can significantly reduce your total trip cost.
2025 Booking Calendar Snapshot
Here’s a quick reference table for the best time to book flights & hotels based on your travel month:
| Travel Month | Book Flights | Book Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| January–March | Oct–Nov 2024 | Nov–Dec 2024 |
| April–June | Jan–Feb 2025 | Feb–March 2025 |
| July–September | March–May 2025 | April–June 2025 |
| October–December | June–Aug 2025 | Aug–Sept 2025 |
Final Thoughts
The smartest travelers know that great travel deals aren’t about luck—they’re about timing and strategy. By following this 2025 guide to the best time to book flights & hotels, you’ll avoid unnecessary expenses and stretch your travel budget further.
Before booking, take a moment to:
- Compare prices across Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Skyscanner
- Use alerts and bundle deals to your advantage
- Avoid peak seasons unless your trip truly depends on it
Travel more, spend less, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you booked at exactly the right time.
