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Christmas is a time filled with family gatherings, festive celebrations, and long-awaited holidays. But there is one part of the season that can turn stressful for travellers every year, which is booking flights. As December approaches, airfare prices rise fast, leaving many travellers wondering about the best time to book Christmas flights. With global air passenger demand increasing by more than 20 percent during December according to the International Air Transport Association, Christmas and New Year flights become some of the costliest of the year.
There is no single answer for everyone. The best time to buy Christmas flights 2025 depends on your destination, whether your trip is domestic or international, and how flexible you are with your travel dates. This guide explains the best time to buy airline tickets for Christmas, when Christmas flights are cheapest, and what strategies can help you find the best deals for holiday travel.
Before learning when to buy flights for Christmas, it helps to understand why fares increase so quickly during the festive season.
Millions of people worldwide travel within a two week window. This gives airlines the power to raise prices since seats fill up faster than in any other month.
Airlines operate with fixed capacity. The cheapest seats sell out early, making remaining fares more expensive as December approaches.
Flights connecting families around Christmas, such as the US to Europe, UK to Australia, or India to the Gulf, sell out months earlier. These routes rarely have cheap fares during winter holidays.
Everyone wants to fly between December 22 and December 26 or return between January 1 and January 2. These peak dates make fares surge significantly.
Because of these factors, waiting for a last minute price drop is rarely a good idea. Understanding the cheapest time to buy Christmas flights can help you avoid overspending.
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If you are wondering when is the best time to buy flights for Christmas, the most important rule is to avoid booking in December. Multiple airfare studies show that holiday fares rise steadily as the year progresses.
The best time to book Christmas flights for domestic routes is typically 1 to 3 months before Christmas. This means the ideal booking period falls between late September and early November. Research shows that the lowest prices often appear between 36 and 72 days before departure.
The best time to buy international flights for Christmas is earlier. For most long haul destinations, you should book 4 to 6 months in advance. Popular routes like the US to Europe, India to the UK, or Australia to North America often require even earlier planning. The cheapest time to buy Christmas flights for these locations is usually 6 to 9 months before December.
If you want the cheapest flights:
Domestic tickets: Start checking fares in September and book before late October.
International tickets: Book between June and August 2025 for the best prices.
These windows are proven to help travellers find the cheapest days to fly around Christmas and secure better deals overall.
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Travellers flying within the same country have slightly more flexibility. Airlines adjust fares more frequently, but the cheapest time to book Christmas flights is still early.
Ideal booking window: 6 to 10 weeks before Christmas.
Cheapest days to fly: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before or after Christmas.
Booking risk: Fares rise quickly after mid November. Last minute deals almost never appear during holiday weeks.
Understanding when to buy plane tickets for Christmas can help avoid the premium pricing that dominates late November and December.
For international routes, booking early is essential. Airlines release discounted long haul seats months in advance, and these sell out quickly.
Ideal booking period: 4 to 6 months before Christmas.
High traffic routes: US to London, Los Angeles to Sydney, or Dubai to India require early booking between 6 and 9 months ahead.
Money saving tip: Fly to alternate airports such as Gatwick instead of Heathrow or Brussels instead of Amsterdam to secure cheaper fares.
If you are asking when to buy Christmas flights for international travel, remember that summer 2025 is the best time to lock in your fares.
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Choosing the right travel date is one of the easiest ways to save money, even if you book later than planned.
The cheapest days to fly around Christmas are usually Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. These midweek departures often stay lower because demand is weaker than weekend travel.
December 22, December 23, and December 26 are among the most expensive travel dates every year.
Flights on Christmas Day are often cheaper because fewer people prefer to travel on the holiday itself. If you are wondering whether flights on Christmas Day are cheaper, the answer is usually yes.
Fares drop slightly after December 27, but the biggest fall happens after January 3 when holiday crowds reduce significantly.
Understanding the best time to buy Christmas flights is important, but using the right strategies can help you save even more.
Use flight tracking tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner. Alerts instantly notify you when prices drop.
A difference of one or two days can affect prices significantly. Check nearby airports that may offer lower fares.
Non-stop flights are premium during Christmas. Adding a layover can reduce costs by a large margin.
Christmas is the perfect time to redeem your reward points. Book early because airlines limit award seats during peak travel weeks.
If you are unsure about your dates, a refundable fare helps you rebook if prices drop later.
Many airlines launch early Christmas sales between August and September. Signing up for newsletters helps you catch these deals.
So, when are Christmas flights cheapest? The best airfares appear well before December. Domestic travellers should book between September and November, and international travellers should book by summer 2025. Avoid booking in December because prices rise quickly as Christmas approaches. With flexibility and good planning, you can secure cheaper flights and enjoy your holiday season without financial stress.
At Affluence Travels, we help travellers secure the most affordable fares for Christmas and year end holidays. Whether you are flying within the country or heading abroad, our team can assist you with the best time to book Christmas flights and help you compare options that fit your budget.
Start planning your Christmas flights 2025 with Affluence Travels and travel smarter, not costlier.
Domestic tickets are cheapest 1 to 3 months before Christmas, while international flights should be booked 4 to 6 months ahead, or even earlier for popular routes.
Not always. Modern pricing systems change fares dynamically. The day you fly matters more than the day you book.
It is risky. Unlike off-season travel, Christmas fares almost always rise as the holiday approaches.
Plan at least 6 months in advance. Booking in summer for December travel offers the best chance of affordable fares.
Yes, fares increase sharply in December. Most last minute Christmas flights cost 30 to 60 percent more than early bookings.
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Anshima Gupta
I’m a writer who crafts research-backed stories with a journalist’s touch. I break down destinations with budget insights, culture, and local experiences, and when I’m not writing, I’m sipping coffee and reading about new places to explore.
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