Expert Shares Best Times To Book Your 2025 Vacation To Save

Getting the best vacation deals is all about timing.

courtesy of Coupon Mister

Now that 2025 is here, it’s natural for many of us to start thinking about our plans for the year. And for most people, that includes planning vacations, whether it’s a relaxing beach getaway or an adventurous tour through Europe.

Timing is central to making the most of any vacation and saving some extra bucks. It’s no secret that booking early can often lead to significant savings on travel expenses, but when exactly is the best time to book? Is there such a thing as booking TOO early?

Fred Harrington, CEO at Coupon Mister, warns, “Booking early is great, but it’s not enough these days for those on tight budgets. Marketers know that we know, so they don’t make it easy to find the best deals. To really save money, we have to book during optimal times.”

Here are the top recommendations on when to book your travel for maximum savings.

December/January

December and early January are considered the best times to book travel for the next year because these months fall during the holiday season when people spend time with their families and don’t typically think about traveling. This decrease in demand for flights, hotels, and rentals can lead to a decrease in prices, making it an ideal time to book travel and save money.

Book Domestic Flights 1–2 Months In Advance

“Booking domestic travel 1 to 2 months before your departure date is considered the ‘sweet spot’ to get the best deals,” explains Fred.

This is when airlines have released their flight schedules but have not yet started increasing prices for last-minute bookings. By booking during this timeframe, you have a larger selection of flight options to choose from at relatively lower prices compared to booking closer to your departure date.

For international travel, booking 3-6 months in advance is recommended to get the best deals. International flights typically have a longer booking window compared to domestic flights. “The 3-6 months window is again considered the sweet spot because the prices are often at their lowest during this time,” Fred says.

Book On Weekdays

Weekdays, specifically Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, tend to have lower travel demand than weekends. This is because most people who travel for leisure or business tend to plan their weekend trips when they have more time off work. This creates a higher demand for weekend flights and hotels, allowing airlines and hotels to charge higher prices. Competition among airlines and hotels is much higher on weekdays.

If You Can, Book on Tuesday

Many airlines, hotels, and rental companies release their special offers and promotional deals at the beginning of the week, typically on Monday evenings or Tuesday mornings. One reason for this is that most people start planning their trips on weekends, and by Monday, they have a better idea of when and where they want to travel. To attract these potential customers, airlines and hotels sometimes release discounted rates.

“Airlines specifically use revenue management systems that analyze demand and adjust prices accordingly,” explains Fred. “These systems typically run on Mondays and Tuesdays, so the lowest fares are often released early in the week and disappear quickly as more people book.”

Last Minute Deals

“If you’re a spontaneous traveler, you can also take advantage of last-minute deals and snag great bargains,” suggests Chris. Companies offer discounted rates for unsold flights and hotel rooms to fill vacancies, making it a risky but great time to reserve a vacation in 2025.

As the departure date approaches, airlines could also increase their prices to take advantage of last-minute travelers who are willing to pay a premium for convenience or those in distress, like family emergencies and business travelers.

Keep an eye out for flash sales, and be ready to book at a moment’s notice or possibly not find a deal at all. “Sign up for newsletters and alerts from airlines and travel companies to be notified of last-minute deals and specials,” says Fred.

AVOID – Booking Too Early

Booking too far in advance can lead to limited availability as airlines and hotels manage their inventory and release seats and rooms in batches. This means that you may not have access to the best deals if you book too early, as these may not have been released yet.

Fred also warns, “It’s not uncommon for travel plans to change, especially if you’re booking far in advance. You may receive a job offer, a family emergency may arise, or you may simply change your mind about the destination. In such cases, you may not be able to get a refund or make any changes to your booking if you’ve booked too far in advance.”

Fred Harrington, CEO at Coupon Mister, Comments:

“The key to booking a great vacation in 2025 is to book at specific times, be flexible with your travel dates, and take advantage of possible discounts and deals. By considering these best times to book a vacation, you can save money and have an amazing experience without breaking the bank.

“It will take a bit of time and effort to do the research, but it’s well worth it to have the peace of mind while on vacation. Knowing you can comfortably afford a vacation makes it all that more enjoyable.”

Reviewed January 2025

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