Google Flights’ ‘No. 1 recommendation, all the time’ to attain low cost airfare

Discovering an affordable flight can at occasions really feel as robust as scoring an honest snack on an airplane.

However journey consultants typically agree on one piece of recommendation to getting a superb 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 crew at Google Flights.

Flexibility could imply flying midweek as an alternative of in the course of the weekend, or maybe touring outdoors of peak season for a specific vacation spot, he and different consultants stated.

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

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

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the most affordable 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, by 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 method” 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 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 excited 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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After all, holidays can throw a wrench into these pointers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Simply entering into a much less crowded month could be useful,” she stated.

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

After all, it could be tough for sure vacationers to be versatile.

Dad and mom could also be tied to summer time journeys as a consequence of faculty trip schedules, whereas employees in sure roles, say, academics or tax preparers, could also be restricted in after they can take day off 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 further lodge and meals prices — firstly or finish of a visit, French stated.

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

Layovers, whereas doubtlessly burdensome, are sometimes a surefire method to economize. 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 on your journey in your carry-on baggage in case your suitcase would not make it onto the subsequent airplane, French stated.

Reserving forward, or, not ready till the final minute, typically yields financial savings, too, consultants 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 could range primarily based on vacation spot, consultants stated.