Skip to main content

Traveling on these days can help you score more affordable Thanksgiving and Christmas flights

Flying on the actual holiday can save you up to $200 per ticket.

By Amanda Teague Oct 15, 2024 5:00 AM

A man and woman inside of an airport stand in front of a christmas tree — Darcy Lawrey / Pexels

Planning to travel for the holidays? Hopper has released its 2024 Holiday Travel Hacks, and flexibility with your travel dates could save you up to $200 per ticket.

For Thanksgiving, the most affordable option is to depart on Thanksgiving Day itself or the day before and return the following Tuesday, December 3. Travelers leaving on the busiest day – Wednesday, November 27 – and returning on Sunday, December 1, will pay 34% more than those who wait until midweek to come back. By shifting your return to Monday or Tuesday, you can save an average of $168.

Recommended Videos

Christmas travelers will find the lowest fares if they depart on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, with ticket prices dropping by up to 34%. To save even more, plan your return for New Year’s Eve. If you prefer to leave earlier, flying out on Monday, December 23, and returning on New Year’s Eve is your next best bet.

Other holiday flight tips

plane ticket — PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock

Hopper also emphasizes that timing your booking is crucial to securing the best deal. For Thanksgiving, the lowest prices are available through the first two weeks of October. After that, expect fares to spike by 5% to 10% each day, adding as much as $30 per ticket daily in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

For Christmas, the sweet spot for booking is between mid-October and early November, with prices set to soar more than 32% in the last three to four weeks before the holiday.

To avoid costly travel disruptions, Hopper suggests choosing direct flights to minimize the risk of missed connections and aiming for early morning departures. Flights leaving after 9 a.m. are, on average, twice as likely to be delayed compared to those departing between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

Topics

Destinations

Waikīkī hotel is offering a free fourth night for late summer getaways

Pool, Water, Swimming Pool

If you’re looking for an excuse to extend your Hawaii vacation, a new hotel deal in Waikīkī could make staying a little longer much more affordable.

Romer House Waikīkī has launched its new “Fourth Night On The House” package, giving guests a complimentary fourth night when they book a three-night stay. The offer also includes a $100 resort credit that can be used at the hotel’s restaurants, bar, and poolside dining, making it easy to settle into island life without rushing through your itinerary.

Derek Jeter Goes All In With ALUM— And the New Venture Looks Like a Home Run

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter has an extensive business and investment portfolio. He founded a successful multimedia company (The Players’ Tribune) and launched Jeter Publishing in 2013 under the umbrella of publishing powerhouse Simon & Schuster. He also serves on the board of directors of numerous business ventures. The list goes on and on for the former New York Yankees captain.

The overarching theme in Jeter’s approach is familiar to those who watched and admired his legendary career: Whatever he attaches his name to, there’s undoubtedly a clear vision. He surrounds himself with smart, driven people and groups, which explains his success on and off the diamond.

Under-the-radar culinary destinations worth traveling for

World Equestrian Center - Ocala

Travel and food are two of my biggest passions in life. And any time I get to combine those two passions into one mission — I get especially excited. As travelers like myself continue to seek out more meaningful, experience-driven getaways, some of the most exciting culinary discoveries are taking place beyond the world’s traditional foodie capitals.

From hidden wine regions and coastal towns celebrated for their seafood traditions to unexpected resort destinations blending luxury hospitality with authentic local flavors, we’ve complied a list of some of the best under-the-radar culinary destinations you won’t want to miss. These destinations give travelers a chance to eat, drink, and experience a destination like a true local. Don’t miss these upcoming events taking place across the country, geared towards foodies like us.