This holiday travel season is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in years. Fuel prices are rising, leading to significant increases in airfare. According to the booking site Hopper, average round-trip domestic fares for Thanksgiving have risen by 31% compared to last year, now averaging $402, while Christmas fares have increased by 23% to $452—both hitting a 10-year high.
International airfares are also seeing hikes, but there are strategies to help save on flights. For Thanksgiving, it’s recommended to book domestic flights by November 5 and international flights by October 15. For Christmas travel, the booking deadlines are November 10 for domestic and December 1 for international flights.
Additionally, a report from FlightHub indicates that booking in advance—far ahead of your travel dates—can save travelers between 23% and 30% on flights. While Tuesdays are popular for making bookings, they aren’t necessarily the cheapest days for fares.
