During the holidays, traveling can be hectic, with crowded airports, long lines, and the chaos of last-minute planning. But it doesn't have to be that way! By closely studying past travel data and understanding the patterns of holiday travelers, you can dodge the biggest crowds and make your joyful trip as easy and stress-free as possible. So, let's not wait any longer and do this together right now!
Best time to travel for Christmas 2024
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If you don't mind spending part of your holiday in transit, flying on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve could be a great way to avoid the rush during the last 2 weeks of the year. Plus, you can even brag about spending your Christmas at 30,000 feet!
Airport traffic usually spikes in the days leading up to and following the holiday, but Christmas Eve and Christmas Day generally have fewer travelers.
According to TSA data, there were 31% more travelers flying on the day after Christmas compared to Christmas Day itself last year.
So, if you're looking for some peace and quiet on your flight (as quiet as an airplane can get), Christmas Day might be the way to go. When it comes to return flights, the further away you can schedule your trip from Christmas Day, the better. In 2023, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day turned out to be the least crowded days for post-Christmas travel.
In summary, the least busy days for traveling during Christmas 2024 are:
- December 25th (Christmas Day)
- December 24th (Christmas Eve)
Best days to travel for Christmas 2024
To have the easiest travel experience, you could consider extending your holiday by leaving a bit earlier or coming back a bit later. The latest information indicates that the days listed below tend to have fewer travelers during the week before and after the Christmas holiday.
Best dates to fly before Christmas 2024
- December 19th
- December 18th
Best dates to fly after Christmas 2024
- January 1st (New Year's Day)
- December 31st (New Year's Eve)
Worst days to travel for Christmas 2024
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The weekend just before Christmas is when most people are traveling to their holiday destinations. To avoid the biggest crowds and the longest security lines, it's best not to fly during these dates:
- Friday, December 20th
- Saturday, December 21st
- Sunday, December 22nd
In 2023, Friday, December 22nd was the busiest air travel day in the week leading up to Christmas, with 2.8 million travelers passing through TSA security. The busy season will likely continue through December 29th, as people return from Christmas celebrations and get ready for New Year's. Last year, 4 of the 6 forecasted busiest days for air travel were between December 26th and 29th, according to TSA data projections.
Beat the Rush & Save! Finding affordable parking during the holidays can be stressful. Luckily, our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers discount airport parking and airport parking coupons to help you secure a convenient spot at a fraction of the cost. This way, you can concentrate on having a great time during your trip instead of stressing about finding the best airport parking deals.
Tips for finding cheap flights for Christmas 2024
Best time to book domestic flights for Christmas
For flights within the United States, the lowest prices are usually found about 38 days before your travel date. Good deals are generally available 21 to 52 days in advance.
Best time to book international flights for Christmas
On average, the best deals for international flights are found around 101 days before your trip. That's because planning your holiday travel 3 months early is often the way to go. You can still find good options if you book 50 days or more in advance, but prices tend to keep going up the closer you get to your travel dates, like the airlines know you're starting to stress about the details.
Cheapest days to fly for Christmas 2024
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The most economical days to book your flights are typically Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. These weekday flights are usually about 13% less expensive than booking for the weekend. For domestic trips, the savings can be even greater – up to 20%.
If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, another way to save money is to choose flights with layovers. While you might spend a bit more time in the airport, non-stop flights tend to be about 25% pricier. Think of those extra layover hours as a budget-friendly adventure!
