For budget-savvy travelers, finding affordable flights is often the top priority. Many believe that booking flights on a specific day, like Tuesday, guarantees the best deals. However, this is a common misconception.
While the day of the week you book your flight is not a major factor, the day you choose to fly can significantly impact the price, especially for international travel. Airlines operate on supply and demand, and certain days are consistently less popular for flying. Focusing on these less popular travel days is the real secret to securing cheaper international flights.
Flying on off-peak days, such as Tuesdays or Wednesdays, can lead to substantial savings on airfare. Shifting your international travel dates by just a day or two could unlock significantly lower prices, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on your next adventure.
Let’s explore the truth about finding the cheapest days for international flights and how to make the most of this knowledge.
The Myth of the Best Day to Book Flights
You might have heard it countless times: “Book your flights on a Tuesday for the best prices.” This widely circulated advice suggests that airlines magically slash prices on Tuesdays.
Unfortunately, this is simply not true.
While some airlines may launch promotional sales on Tuesdays, or other days of the week, these sales are not exclusive to any particular day and don’t always represent the deepest discounts. You could find an equally good, or even better deal on a Wednesday, Thursday, or any other day.
The reality is that airfares are dynamic and fluctuate constantly, not just daily, but hourly. Relying on the myth of a specific cheapest booking day means you could miss out on great deals that appear throughout the week.
Instead of focusing on booking days, expert travelers know that the real key to savings lies in understanding the cheapest days to fly, particularly for international destinations. Flight prices are driven by demand, and demand varies significantly depending on the day of the week people prefer to travel.
So, what are these magic days to fly internationally? Let’s find out.
The Cheapest Days to Fly International: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Let’s reiterate a crucial point: International flight prices are constantly in flux and unpredictable.
There’s no rigid rule, but clear patterns emerge when analyzing flight data. Generally, for international travel, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday consistently stand out as the most affordable days to fly.
Why these days? It boils down to travel demand. Most international travelers prefer to begin their trips on Thursdays or Fridays for weekend getaways, or Mondays for business trips, returning on Sundays or Fridays. This creates higher demand and pushes prices up on these peak travel days.
Airlines, seeking to fill seats on less popular days, offer lower fares to incentivize travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. This principle holds true for a wide range of international destinations.
Consider a flight from New York (JFK) to London (LHR). Checking flight prices on Google Flights often reveals that Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer significantly lower fares compared to flying on a Friday or Sunday. Saturday departures can also be surprisingly economical.
calendar of flight prices
Image: Google Flights price calendar showing cheaper fares for flights from JFK to FCO (Rome) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
This pattern isn’t limited to transatlantic routes. Whether you’re heading to Asia, South America, or anywhere else internationally, aiming to fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday is a smart strategy to potentially save money on your airfare.
Time of Day Matters Too for International Flights
Beyond the day of the week, the time of day you fly internationally can also influence the price. Similar to the principle of cheaper days, less desirable flight times often come with lower price tags.
Many travelers prefer to fly during convenient hours – mid-morning or early evening – to avoid very early wake-ups or late arrivals. Flights departing during these prime times tend to be more expensive due to higher demand.
To save money on international flights, consider opting for less popular flight times:
- Early Morning Flights: Flights departing very early in the morning (before 7 am) are often cheaper as fewer people want to start their travel day so early.
- Midday Flights: Flights during the middle of the day, especially on weekdays, can be less expensive as they are less convenient for business travelers and those with standard work schedules.
- Red-Eye Flights: For long-haul international flights, overnight “red-eye” flights are frequently the cheapest option. While they might be less comfortable, they can save you a significant amount of money and even an extra day of daylight at your destination.
For example, a red-eye flight from the US East Coast to Europe might be considerably cheaper than a flight departing in the late afternoon or evening. If you can sleep on planes, or are willing to sacrifice some sleep for savings, red-eye flights are worth considering for international travel.
Other Factors Affecting International Flight Prices
While flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays, and choosing less popular times are excellent strategies, keep in mind that several other factors can influence international flight prices:
- Destination: The popularity and demand for your international destination play a role. Flights to popular tourist hotspots during peak season will generally be more expensive, regardless of the day of the week.
- Flight Preferences: Non-stop flights are typically more expensive than flights with layovers. If you prioritize convenience and are set on a non-stop flight for your international trip, you might have fewer options for cheaper days. Similarly, business class and first-class seats will have different pricing patterns influenced by business travel demand, which often peaks on Mondays and Fridays.
- Airline: Budget airlines often operate on different pricing models and may not always adhere to the Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday rule as strictly. Their base fares are often low across most days, but be mindful of extra fees. Full-service carriers are more likely to exhibit day-of-week price variations.
More Tips to Snag Cheap International Flights
Beyond choosing the right days and times, here are additional expert tips to maximize your savings on international flights:
Book International Flights in Advance
For international travel, booking well in advance is crucial. While last-minute deals are rare, especially for international routes, prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches.
Airlines know that travelers booking close to their departure date are often less flexible and willing to pay higher prices. To avoid this “price gouge trap,” aim to book your international flights several months in advance. A good rule of thumb is to start monitoring prices and book roughly 2-4 months before your international trip, or even earlier for peak season travel.
Travel During Shoulder Seasons for International Deals
Consider traveling during the shoulder seasons – the periods between peak and off-peak travel times – for better deals on international flights.
For many international destinations, peak season aligns with summer and major holidays, driving up flight prices. Shoulder seasons, such as May to early June and September to mid-October, often offer a sweet spot. The weather is still pleasant in many regions, tourist crowds are thinner, and importantly, flight prices tend to be significantly lower.
Shoulder season travel is particularly advantageous for scoring deals on international flights. Airlines often offer promotions and reduced fares to stimulate demand during these periods.
Avoid Holidays for International Travel
Avoid traveling during major holidays if budget is a primary concern for your international trip. Holiday periods are peak travel times, and airlines know they can charge premium prices due to high demand.
Similar to domestic travel, international flights around major holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Easter skyrocket in price. If possible, shift your international travel dates to before or after these peak holiday periods. Even a slight adjustment of a week or two can result in substantial savings.
Conclusion: Fly Smart, Save Big on International Travel
Finding cheap international flights doesn’t have to be a guessing game. While the myth of booking on a Tuesday is debunked, understanding the cheapest days to fly internationally – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays – is a proven strategy.
Remember that flight prices are influenced by supply and demand. By choosing to fly on less popular days and times, and by applying other smart booking strategies like advance planning and shoulder season travel, you can unlock significant savings on your international adventures.
Start your international trip planning by considering these expert tips before locking in your dates and booking your flights. With a little knowledge and flexibility, you can explore the world without breaking the bank.
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[
Kyle Potter
](https://thriftytraveler.com/author/kyle-potter/)Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. A professional journalist, he joined the company in November 2018 after five years covering state and national politics for T…
*Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.*Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
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