The best time to buy international airfare is not a “one size fits all” approach. Instead, international flights are affected by many different variables, with data showing that some destinations benefit more from long-term planning, while others don’t need as much reservation time.
In general, the best time to purchase an international airline ticket is between 120 and 160 days before departure. While this is not true for all destinations, it is generally the case for Asia and Europe.
Be careful of seasonality when booking international flights. Unlike domestic flights, international flights often have a large price disparity during the low tourist season and the high tourist season, and high season flights are possibly worth twice the price.
“Although prices for international flights tend to be somewhat less volatile than domestic flights, a serious bargain hunter should still check fares at least several times a week to increase the chances of finding a good deal,” according to Cheapair. com. “But we also want to point out that if you are the traveler who cares more about your airline, schedules, routes or onboard services than saving a few dollars, we recommend that you book even earlier, when the options are more varied.”
Also, those who decide to travel with friends and family may want to book especially early if they all want to sit together. You may pay a little more, but you are more likely to have this luxury if you get the reservation ahead of time. For those who fly solo and have some itinerary flexibility, they might be more willing to go for a last minute sale.
The best time to buy a ticket to Central or South America
Central and South America show that the best time to buy is 70 days before travel dates, which is closer to the national average of 54 days. Occasionally, ticket prices will drop due to events in the country – the widespread outbreak of the Zika virus in 2015 put a bit of a downfall on plans for American travelers, who tend to be more conservative and focused on safety when traveling. abroad.
The best time to buy a ticket to Canada or Mexico
Canada and Mexico are also similar to the US market, with an average of 75 days out, the best time to buy airfare. Mexican citizens often travel during the country’s national holidays, such as New Year’s Day (January 1) and the country’s independence day (September 16), which can raise the price of airfare. For the best deals, go when school is in session, and government offices and businesses are open, avoiding days in the Christmas and Easter holidays.
The best time to buy a ticket to Europe
The best rates for Europe can be found at 120 days, and European destinations are in high demand during the summer, when American travelers often make their international plans. It’s not uncommon to be able to land a fantastic last minute deal to Europe if you travel during the winter when fewer people are there. Also, if you can fly to any European city and have some flexibility with your dates, you can get a good last minute deal, especially outside of bigger cities like New York, which have many daily flights to the region.
The best time to buy a ticket to Asia
Tickets for Asian destinations are cheapest approximately four months before departure. Larger cities like Los Angeles and New York City have the highest volume of flights to Asia, so if you can get to one of these major hubs, you will find more affordable tickets.
The best time to buy a ticket to the Caribbean
Securing the best rates for the Caribbean takes a bit of planning – you’ll find the best deals almost a year later, 320 days before your trip. For most destinations, the high season is the US summer and the low season is the US winter, although for certain sunny destinations such as the Caribbean and parts of Mexico, the US winter is the summer. It’s the peak.
The best time to buy a ticket to the Middle East or Africa
The best deals on flights to the Middle East and Africa can generally be found about 215 days before departure. Some countries or regions subject to political unrest can be very accessible to visit, depending on your level of adventure. As an example, Turkey’s terrorism and political troubles in the 2000s made that nation a bargain for travelers, after years of not being the case.
Best time to buy a ticket to Australia or the South Pacific
Australasia and South Pacific tickets are the most affordable 320 days. The lowest season to fly to Australia is typically during the continent’s “winter” season, which runs from mid-April to late June. (Australasia generally includes Australia, New Zealand, the neighboring South Pacific islands in the Pacific Ocean, and New Guinea.)
