When Is the Best Time to Book Flights? Data-Backed
The "best time to book" question is one of the most common in travel. Here's what the data actually says.
European Short-Haul (Under 4 Hours)
Optimal booking window: 4-8 weeks before departure Prices typically start rising sharply about 3 weeks before the flight. The cheapest day to fly is Tuesday.
European Long-Haul (4+ Hours)
Optimal booking window: 8-16 weeks before departure More lead time is needed for popular routes like London-New York or Paris-Tokyo.
Intercontinental
Optimal booking window: 3-5 months before departure Peak season (summer, Christmas) routes should be booked even earlier — up to 6 months.
Best Day to Search
Tuesday and Wednesday tend to have slightly lower prices, as airlines often release fare sales on Monday evenings.
Best Time of Day
Early morning searches (5-7 AM local time) sometimes show lower prices before day-time demand kicks in.
The Bottom Line
There's no magic formula. Use Voyara to monitor prices across global markets, and book when you find a price you're comfortable with.
Read also: how to find cheap flights in 2026, our honest comparison of Skyscanner, Momondo and KAYAK and whether incognito mode really finds cheaper flights.
