How Far in Advance to Book Flights for 2024 Travel

If you don’t have specific dates in mind, the general guidance is to start watching prices for domestic flights at least 3-4 months before you depart. (Set up a flight deal alert on Airfarewatchdog, our sister site, to make it easy.) According to Hopper, “Prices will change frequently, but drop on average until about 1-2 months before departure. Expect to book 1-2 months ahead of your departure date.”

Don’t wait too long to book, as prices can nearly double in the last three weeks before departure.

You’ll want to plan further ahead for an international trip, beginning to monitor flight prices 7-8 months before departure. Generally, flights to Asia and Oceania are the cheapest 5-7 months before departure. You’ll find the most affordable deals on international flights to other regions around 3-6 months in advance.

Plan early for holiday travel to get the cheapest flights. Here’s when Hopper recommends booking flights for major holidays:

Hotel prices fluctuate less than flights, but accommodations in popular vacation destinations can often sell out early. Hopper experts advise booking at least 1-2 months in advance for leisure hotspots like Miami Beach or Cancun, lest all the low-priced options sell out. 

You’ll want to book even earlier (3 months in advance) for all-inclusive resort stays.

However, if you’re willing to gamble or are traveling in the off-season, waiting to book your hotel can pay off. Hotels often lower room rates a few days before check-in to draw in travelers, as they don’t make money on an empty room.