If you want to save money on airfare, knowing the cheapest days to fly, the best time to book a flight, and a few smart booking tricks can really help. Many Filipino travelers wait for promos or compare prices at the last minute, but planning ahead can make your tickets much cheaper.
This guide will help you understand when to book your flights and how to find good deals based on real situations most travelers experience. Start checking prices today because your next cheap flight might already be available.
When to Book Cheap Flights – Month, Week, Day and Time Guide
If you want to score cheaper tickets, timing matters a lot. Many Filipino travelers notice that prices go up and down fast, so knowing when to book and when to fly can help you save more. Flying on less busy days like Tuesday or Wednesday, booking a few weeks ahead, and using apps like Trip.com to compare fares can make a big difference in your budget.
Below is an easy guide based on real booking habits and what airlines usually do:
Category | Domestic Flights | International Flights |
|---|---|---|
Best Months to Book | Book 2 to 3 weeks before your flight. Avoid booking more than 2 months early unless it is peak season. | Book 4 to 8 weeks before your trip. For peak seasons like Christmas or summer, book 3 to 6 months early. |
Best Days to Book | Tuesday (sales often launch) or Wednesday. | Tuesday to Thursday since global airlines often update their prices during these days. |
Best Days to Fly | Tuesdays, Wednesdays (lowest demand). | Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. These days usually have lower demand for long flights. |
Best Time to Book | 5 AM to 7 AM and after 11 PM. Fewer people are searching, promo fares often refresh, and competition is lower. | |
Best Time of Day to Fly | Early morning before 7 AM or late evening after 9 PM. Fewer travelers mean lower fares. | Early morning flights or red eye flights. Avoid flying around 10 AM to 3 PM because this is the time when fares are usually higher. |
How to Track Cheap Flights
Most people are too busy to check flight prices all day, and that is where technology helps a lot. Trip.com has a Price Alerts feature that can track fares for you. Just enter your departure city, destination, travel date, and your target price. The system will watch the prices automatically and notify you through the app or email when the fare drops.
You save time, avoid constant checking, and still get the chance to grab cheaper tickets. This is very helpful for travelers waiting for promos or planning international trips.
How to Book Cheap Flights – 10 Easy Tips on Trip.com
Now that you know the best time to book, here are real tips to help you find the lowest fares on Trip.com. These are based on what many Filipino travelers actually do when looking for cheap flights.
1. Use price comparison tools
Trip.com lets you compare different airlines in one place. You can filter by price, check nearby airports, and use the flexible date search to see a whole month of fares. This makes it easier to spot the cheapest days to fly.
2. Use Trip Coins and Trip.com Air Miles
Always log in when booking. You earn Trip Coins and air miles that you can use to save money on future flights or even redeem for free tickets.
3. Check Student Flight Discounts
If you are a student, verify your student status on Trip.com. Many partner airlines offer special student fares.
4. Use Trip.com Promo Codes
Trip.com often has promo codes and weekly offers. New users can get up to 8 percent off hotels, and there are regular discounts on flights, trains, and selected destinations. During Member Rewards Day, you can get 5 percent Trip Coins cashback on flights and hotels.
5. Look for last minute deals
Trip.com also lists last minute flight discounts to top Asian cities and other popular destinations. These deals can help if your travel dates are flexible.
6. Clear cookies or use incognito mode
Some websites raise prices after repeated searches. Using incognito mode or clearing cookies can help you avoid this.
7. Consider nearby airports
Flying into a smaller or alternate airport can save you a good amount. For example, choosing Oakland instead of San Francisco can be cheaper. Trip.com can show all airports within 100 miles of your destination.
8. Set a Price Alert
If you are not ready to book yet, set a fare alert on Trip.com. You will get a notification when the price drops.
9. Try mixing one way tickets
Sometimes two one way tickets with different airlines are cheaper than a round trip. Compare both options before booking.
10. Avoid peak seasons
Traveling during off peak months, like spring or autumn in Europe, can save you up to 30 percent or more. Use Trip.com’s seasonal guides to check the best time to visit your destination.
When Should I Book a Flight? Guide by Route Type
The best time to book your ticket depends on how far you are flying and the season. Here is an easy guide to help Filipino travelers plan better:
| Flight Type | Best Booking Window | Peak Season Exceptions | Last-Minute Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Short haul domestic (≤500 miles) | Book 1 to 3 weeks before your trip | 2 to 4 weeks ahead for big holidays like Christmas or Lunar New Year | Low. You can still find deals 1 to 3 days before. |
Long haul domestic (>500 miles) | Book 2 to 4 weeks before departure | 4 to 6 weeks early for peak summer (June to August) | Medium. There are occasional deals but not always safe to wait. |
Short haul international (Asia to Southeast Asia, Europe to North Africa) | Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead | 4 to 8 weeks early for winter trips (December to February) | Low to medium. |
Long haul international (Europe to Asia, Americas to Africa) | Book 6 to 12 weeks before travel | 3 to 6 months early for Christmas, Lunar New Year, or summer | High. Prices often rise closer to the date. |
Ultra long haul (Europe to Australia, Americas to New Zealand) | Book 8 to 16 weeks in advance | 6 to 9 months early for peak seasons | Very high. Seats sell out and prices jump quickly. |
Note: For remote or special destinations with very few flights, like Bora Bora or Easter Island, add 2 to 4 more weeks to the usual booking window because seats fill up faster.
What Are the Cheapest Days to Fly?
The day you choose to fly can affect your ticket price a lot. For most routes, Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly. Airlines usually release new deals on Tuesday, and fewer people travel in the middle of the week, so prices drop.
Weekends, however, are usually more expensive. Saturday and Sunday are peak travel days because many travelers prefer weekend trips, so airlines raise the fares. If you can move your flight by just one or two days, flying midweek can save you around 10 to 20 percent.
This rule also applies to international flights. But there is one more tip: Thursday flights can also be cheap, especially for long distance routes. Many international airlines adjust prices throughout the week, so always compare fares on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to catch the best deal.
What’s the Best Time to Fly?
The time of day you fly also affects the price. Early morning flights before 7 AM and late night flights after 9 PM are usually cheaper because fewer people want to travel at those hours. Airlines lower the fares to fill the seats.
Early flights are also less likely to get delayed, which helps if you have connecting flights. If you want to save money, avoid flying between 10 AM and 3 PM because these are the most convenient hours and airlines often charge more.
Why Are Connecting Flights Cheaper?
• Direct flights are more expensive because they are faster and more convenient
• Higher demand for direct routes allows airlines to charge more
• Connecting flights take longer, so fewer people choose them
• Airlines lower prices to fill seats on these less popular routes
• The price difference can be big, sometimes thousands of pesos
• A good option for travelers who want to save money and are not in a rush
When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight? (Domestic and International)
Booking at the right time can help you save a lot. Here is a clear breakdown:
Domestic flights
• Best time to book: 2 to 3 weeks before departure
• Booking too early (more than 2 months ahead) is not always cheaper because airlines start with higher base fares
• Booking too late (less than 1 week) is risky, but if seats are still empty, prices may drop 3 to 5 days before the flight
International flights
• Best time to book: 4 to 8 weeks before your trip
• For long haul routes, airlines offer early discounts 3 to 6 months before departure
• If seats remain, prices may drop again 1 to 2 months before the flight
Seasonal exception
• For peak travel months like Christmas, New Year, summer vacation, book 3 to 6 months early
• For off season months (for example January to February in Europe), you can wait longer and still find deals 1 to 2 months before travel
Do Flight Prices Drop on Holidays or Sales Events?
Yes, but it depends on the holiday and the airline. Here are the key points:
Major sales events
• Airlines offer big discounts during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and New Year sales
• Discounts can reach 20 to 50 percent on selected domestic and international routes
• Deals are usually time limited (24 to 72 hours) and apply to specific travel dates
Holiday travel period
• During Thanksgiving, Christmas and Lunar New Year, ticket prices go up because demand is very high
• Book 3 to 6 months early to avoid high fares
• Prices often drop after the holiday rush, such as December 26 to 31, when fewer people travel
Airline-specific sales
• Many airlines run annual promos, like Southwest’s yearly sale or Emirates’ anniversary deals
• Sign up for newsletters or follow airlines on social media to get notified
• These sales often include flexible travel dates, making them good for travelers with open schedules
Short-Haul vs. Long-Haul Flights: Best Booking Time
The best time to book depends on how long your flight is. Short flights change in price more often, while long flights require earlier planning.
When to Book Short-Haul Flights (under 4 hours)
Includes domestic routes or nearby international flights.
• Best time to book: 1 to 3 weeks before departure
• Booking too early (more than 2 months ahead) is not helpful because airlines start with higher base fares
• Last-minute deals: If seats are still empty, airlines may drop prices 1 to 3 days before the flight
• Price pattern: Fares rise on weekends and drop midweek, so compare prices Tuesday to Thursday
When to Book Long-Haul Flights (6+ hours)
Includes intercontinental routes like US to Europe or Asia.
• Best time to book: 6 to 12 weeks before travel
• Transatlantic routes: 4 to 8 weeks
• Transpacific routes: 8 to 12 weeks
• Remote destinations: 12+ weeks, since flights are limited
• Peak season: Book 3 to 6 months early for Christmas, Lunar New Year and summer
• Price pattern: Last-minute drops are rare, but some deals appear 2 to 4 weeks out if flights are undersold
FAQs about When is the Cheapest Day to Book a Flight
Which day is the cheapest for booking flights?
Tuesdays are often the cheapest because airlines usually release new deals early in the week. Wednesdays and Thursdays also work well, especially for international routes.Is it cheaper to book flights far in advance or last minute?
For most trips, booking ahead is cheaper. Domestic flights are best booked around 2 to 3 weeks in advance, while international flights are usually cheaper 4 to 8 weeks before departure. Last-minute deals do exist, but they are risky and mostly happen only when flights are undersold.Do flight prices drop on weekends?
Rarely. Weekends attract more leisure travelers, so prices often stay the same or increase. Booking during midweek, especially Tuesday to Thursday, gives you a better chance of finding lower fares.What is the best time of day to book a flight?
There is no guaranteed best time, but early morning or late-night searches sometimes show lower prices. Fewer users online can mean less pressure from demand-based pricing.Are international flights cheaper on specific days?
Yes. Thursdays often offer better prices for long-haul flights, as airlines adjust fares midweek to stay competitive. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also good days to check.How can I track flight price drops?
Use price alerts on flight booking apps like Trip.com. Just set your route and travel dates, and you’ll receive notifications when prices go down.