Google Flights’ ‘No. 1 advice, always’ to score cheap airfare

Discovering an affordable flight can at instances really feel as powerful as scoring a good snack on an airplane.

However journey specialists typically agree on one piece of recommendation to getting an excellent deal on airfare: Be versatile.

“It is our No .1 recommendation, all the time, for vacationers” in search of offers, stated James Byers, head of the product group at Google Flights.

Flexibility might imply flying midweek as an alternative of throughout the weekend, or maybe touring outdoors of peak season for a selected vacation spot, he and different specialists stated.

“Attempt to not lock your self into a very particular date,” Byers stated.

Even shifting journey by a day or two in both path could make a “enormous distinction,” he stated.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the most affordable days to fly. Tickets are 13% cheaper than these for weekend flights, in response to new Google Flights data.

Google examined common round-trip airfares from Jan. 1, 2021, via Aug. 1, 2025. It analyzed four-day to 16-day journeys departing from the highest 4,000 markets within the U.S.

Midweek departures are a “easy approach” to save lots of $42 a ticket, or about 14%, on common, for home airfare, in response to a 2025 journey hacks report by Hopper.

Sunday is commonly the most costly day to fly, Hayley Berg, Hopper’s lead economist, wrote within the report. It is usually a busy day in airports as individuals fly dwelling from weekends away, she wrote.

“Vacationers desirous about a weekend getaway can save considerably by departing mid-week and returning on Saturday or Monday, as an alternative of Sunday,” Berg wrote.

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In fact, holidays can throw a wrench into these tips.

For instance, flying on the Wednesday earlier than Thanksgiving is probably going the most costly day to fly round that individual vacation, stated Sally French, a journey analyst at NerdWallet.  

As an added bonus, skipping weekend journey may yield massive lodge reductions. Checking in on Friday or Saturday and staying via Sunday typically means paying a premium exceeding 20%, or about $50 extra per night time, relative to the most affordable days of the week to verify in, similar to Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, in response to Hopper information.

Many vacationers fall for the “fantasy” that the day of the week on which they buy their flight has an enormous monetary impact, French stated.  

“It isn’t true,” she stated. “It isn’t the day that you simply guide [that’s important], it is the day that you simply fly.”

Tuesday has traditionally been the most affordable day of the week to guide, nevertheless it’s only one.3% cheaper than Sunday, the most costly day, in response to the Google Flights evaluation.

“If I had been giving my family and friends recommendation on what to search for, it would be decrease on the checklist as an element,” Byers stated. “I would not say, ‘Wait till Tuesday.'”

Flexibility on a extra macro degree may assist cut back your airfare, French stated.

“Simply getting in a much less crowded month will be useful,” she stated.

This may imply touring throughout a vacation spot’s shoulder season or offseason, specialists stated.

Airfare typically peaks in mid-summer and drops as early fall approaches, Berg wrote. For instance, home vacationers in 2024 saved 40%, on common, or about $150, by shifting from peak summer time months to September or October, she wrote, citing Hopper information.

In fact, it could be tough for sure vacationers to be versatile.

Mother and father could also be tied to summer time journeys resulting from college trip schedules, whereas employees in sure roles, say, lecturers or tax preparers, could also be restricted in after they can take time without work work.

Moreover, excursions or cruises typically include inflexible begin and finish dates, and it could not make monetary sense to tack on further days — and additional lodge and meals prices — at first or finish of a visit, French stated.

There are different methods to save lots of, although, specialists stated.

Layovers, whereas doubtlessly burdensome, are sometimes a surefire approach to save cash. Reserving an itinerary with a layover saves vacationers about 22%, on common, versus flying nonstop, in response to Google Flights.

Simply keep in mind to pack all of the important gadgets to your journey in your carry-on baggage in case your suitcase does not make it onto the following airplane, French stated.

Reserving forward, or, not ready till the final minute, typically yields financial savings, too, specialists stated.

The bottom costs have been 39 days earlier than departure for a home flight and 49 days for worldwide, in response to Google Flights. The goal might differ primarily based on vacation spot, specialists stated.