When to book your vacation trips and flights in 2024

If you wish or must travel this holiday season, start planning now because the best time to book travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's is fast approaching.

“The most important thing is that travelers continue to think about planning now and booking in October,” said Hayley Berg, senior economist at travel website Hopper. “The window of low prices is short, but it can really pay off.”

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But travelers who miss this window should still have one last option: Travel Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber ​​​​Monday.

On today, “virtually the entire travel industry is on sale,” said Berg.

Whenever you select to verify your reservations, remember that traveling through the holiday season might be fraught with complications, says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet.

“The holidays are a difficult time to travel because not only are you likely to have to deal with harsher holiday weather, but you’re also dealing with larger crowds,” says French.

This will make sure that you get good value for money.

Compared to the identical period last yr, prices for holiday trips are barely higher, said Berg.

On average, round-trip flights for Thanksgiving – defined as departures from November 24 to twenty-eight – currently cost about $298. after in keeping with Hopper's Holiday Travel Outlook 2024 report. That's 10% greater than a yr ago and three% greater than before the pandemic, the travel website noted.

On average, prices are expected to fall by about $40 until they reach their lowest point in early October, once they should settle at 2023 levels, the report said.

Likewise, in keeping with Hopper, airfares for Christmas travel – defined because the week of December 21-25 – average $406 per round-trip booking, up 4% year-over-year and 13% from pre-pandemic times.

However, in keeping with the report, prices are more likely to fall by about $80 from current levels before reaching their low point in October.

“It’s really important for travelers to think about booking their trip now so they’re ready when October approaches,” Berg said.

If you wish to “book something super last minute for Christmas or New Year’s Eve,” in keeping with Berg, “December 3rd or this year’s Travel Tuesday is a good day to remember.”

“You might be lucky and be able to grab something at the last minute,” says Berg, as there are sometimes big discounts on hotel stays, flights and rental cars on today.

Disruptions are more likely through the holiday season because airlines and airports operate more flights than usual and greater congestion can result in a “domino effect,” experts say.

For example, if a flight is quarter-hour late departing from the gate, it may disrupt the flow of air traffic in a complete terminal, Berg said.

However, the “biggest risks” are often severe weather and technical problems, she said.

You should consider the next 4 vital points:

• Avoid flying on peak days. For example, experts recommend avoiding the Sundays before and after Thanksgiving. In recent years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving has been the busiest day for flights or a record day for the variety of travelers going through TSA checkpoints, French said.

• Take the primary flight of the day. Try to book one in all the primary flights of the day, as this may show you how to avoid delays and cancellations, says Berg. After 8 a.m., you're twice as more likely to be affected by flight delays or cancellations, she says.

• Allow time for delays and cancellations. If it's absolutely obligatory so that you can be at your destination, “allow extra time for travel” and travel a number of days prematurely, French advises. “If it's really important that you get there for Christmas dinner, fly a few days early,” she advises.

• Expand your search. It might be helpful to know what other airports are nearby, French said. Knowing other airports can show you how to find cheaper options. While it is likely to be an extended drive to your destination, it might make sense in the event you absolutely should get there, she said.