Want the Cheapest Plane Tickets? Here’s When To Fly

It’s common knowledge that tickets vary in price according to the booking website you use and how far in advance you purchase. However, there’s more to it. Airline ticket prices can also fluctuate based on the day of the week you’ll be flying. For instance, someone taking a 4:00 p.m. flight on a Tuesday could pay a much different price for the same 4:00 p.m. flight—from the same airline, to the same destination—on a Friday.

From buying a ticket, to the flight itself, pricing fluctuations happen. Timing can make a big difference when you’re looking for the best day to fly for cheap tickets.

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Here are some statistical patterns to consider before you book your next flight, plus tips on how to find out about the best deals right away:

Book on Tuesday…or any other day. Airlines used to manually release discounts on Monday nights or Tuesday mornings, which meant their competition would lower their fares as well to match prices. Tuesday mornings are still a great time to find deals, but they’re not the only time. These days, airlines adjust their prices automatically by the hour according to the market. The industry motto is: “The best time to buy plane tickets is the day you find a great deal.” If you have a trip coming up, set a few calendar reminders to check prices and buy your ticket right away when the price is right.

If you want to play around with this yourself, make a spreadsheet showing dates, times, and prices. Search on the same five to 10 flights on different days and different times. You’ll be amazed at how much prices fluctuate.

Fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. While there’s no longer a magical day to book your flight, there’s still a pricing pattern that has to do with when you fly. Mid-week and Saturdays are the best days to fly for cheap tickets, while the most expensive days to fly are Fridays and Sundays. If you can’t book the cheapest days for all flights, do it for even one leg and you’ll save some money.

Also keep in mind that early morning or late night flights are typically less expensive, so if you have the flexibility (and the time to nap when you reach your destination) it could be worth the inconvenience.

Set up alerts for low price fares. Do a quick online search for flight price predictors to get algorithm-generated recommendations of the cheapest times to fly based on your travel criteria.

Also, look for flight price trackers and sign up to receive alerts whenever prices drop or great deals are announced. You can set up the tracker for specific travel dates, routes, and airlines so you don’t have to repeatedly check on dates and airlines yourself.

There’s no need to blow your travel budget on your plane tickets—or blow your weekend on endless searches for elusive deals. Finding the cheapest flight doesn’t have to be a mystery. With the right approach, a little patience, strategy, and flexibility really pays off.