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

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

However journey consultants typically agree on one piece of recommendation to getting a great deal on airfare: Be versatile.

“It is our No .1 recommendation, at all times, for vacationers” on the lookout for offers, mentioned James Byers, head of the product staff at Google Flights.

Flexibility might imply flying midweek as an alternative of through the weekend, or maybe touring outdoors of peak season for a specific vacation spot, he and different consultants mentioned.

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

Even shifting journey by a day or two in both route could make a “large distinction,” he mentioned.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the most cost effective days to fly. Tickets are 13% inexpensive than these for weekend flights, in response to new Google Flights knowledge.

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 means” to avoid wasting $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 costliest day to fly, Hayley Berg, Hopper’s lead economist, wrote within the report. It is sometimes a busy day in airports as individuals fly dwelling from weekends away, she wrote.

“Vacationers enthusiastic 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 costliest day to fly round that specific vacation, mentioned Sally French, a journey analyst at NerdWallet.  

As an added bonus, skipping weekend journey also can yield huge resort 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 cost effective days of the week to test in, similar to Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, in response to Hopper knowledge.

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

“It isn’t true,” she mentioned. “It isn’t the day that you just e-book [that’s important], it is the day that you just fly.”

Tuesday has traditionally been the most cost effective day of the week to e-book, however it’s just one.3% cheaper than Sunday, the costliest day, in response to the Google Flights evaluation.

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

Flexibility on a extra macro degree also can assist scale back your airfare, French mentioned.

“Simply moving into a much less crowded month might be useful,” she mentioned.

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

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 season months to September or October, she wrote, citing Hopper knowledge.

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

Dad and mom could also be tied to summer season journeys on account of faculty trip schedules, whereas staff in sure roles, say, academics or tax preparers, could also be restricted in once they can take day without work work.

Moreover, excursions or cruises typically include inflexible begin and finish dates, and it might not make monetary sense to tack on further days — and additional resort and meals prices — firstly or finish of a visit, French mentioned.

There are different methods to avoid wasting, although, consultants mentioned.

Layovers, whereas doubtlessly burdensome, are sometimes a surefire means 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 objects to your journey in your carry-on baggage in case your suitcase would not make it onto the following airplane, French mentioned.

Reserving forward, or, not ready till the final minute, usually yields financial savings, too, consultants mentioned.

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, consultants mentioned.