How (and when) to Book Holiday Travel in 2026

The government shutdown is now in its third week, and if you’re planning holiday travel, you’re probably wondering whether to book now or wait for things to stabilize. Here’s the unfortunate reality: waiting could cost you hundreds of dollars or leave you without flights to choose from at all. 

Holiday travel prices only increase as departure dates approach, and the shutdown isn’t stopping airlines from selling tickets – it’s just making the travel experience more unpredictable.

The good news is that booking strategically – knowing when to buy and how to find the best deals can give you the best deals. 

Whether you’re flying home to see family or escaping to a warm beach, this guide will help you navigate holiday travel booking with confidence, even during uncertain times.

Why You Should Book Soon or Now Despite the Shutdown

The government shutdown creates uncertainty, but waiting to book holiday travel is risky. Airlines typically offer flexible change policies during irregular operations, and many have extended these policies due to the shutdown. More importantly, holiday flight prices only go up as departure dates approach – they don’t go down. 

Timing is everything when it comes to holiday travel. Book too early and you might miss price drops. Book too late and you’ll pay premium prices – or worse, find no seats available. 

Start tracking prices now, even if you’re not ready to book. Set up Google Flights price alerts 3-4 months before your trip to understand typical price ranges and spot genuine deals when they appear.

For domestic holiday flights, the sweet spot is typically 1-3 months before departure, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are exceptions – prices start climbing earlier. For international holiday travel, book 2-3 months out for the best balance of price and availability.

Here’s exactly when to book for the best deals.

Thanksgiving Travel: Book 3-4 Weeks Out

According to Google Flights data, the sweet spot for booking Thanksgiving flights is about 3-4 weeks before departure. If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving 2026, that means booking in late October to early November gives you the best chance at reasonable prices.

Waiting until the week before Thanksgiving can cost you 20-30% more, and you’ll have far fewer flight options as planes fill up.

Christmas and New Year’s Travel: Book 1-2 Months Ahead

The optimal time booking window for Christmas and New Year’s travel is 1-2 months before your trip. This means booking in late October through early November for the best December holiday prices.

Christmas is the most expensive time to fly in any year, so booking early is critical. Prices spike dramatically in the final two weeks before Christmas as last-minute travelers scramble for remaining seats.

Additional price-beating strategies for holiday travel

• If your schedule is flexible, travel on the holiday day. This technique is a significant money-saver – sometimes 40-50% compared to the days before, and the airports are nearly empty (speedy security lines).
• Consider booking travel on Sundays when possible: data shows that ticket prices are often slightly lower on weekends when business travelers aren’t flying.
• Book the earliest flight of the day – typically 6-8 AM departures. These are usually $50-150 cheaper per ticket AND less likely to be delayed since they haven’t been affected by the day’s cascading problems.

Pro tip: If the airport is far from your home, stay the night before at an airport hotel that offers free parking and shuttles. You’ll save both sleep and dollars.

Avoid peak travel days

The following are historically the most expensive days to fly during the holidays:

• Thanksgiving: Tuesday-Wednesday before (Nov 25-26), Sunday after (Nov 30)
• Christmas: Dec 22-23, Dec 26-27, Jan 1-2

The following are historically the least expensive days to fly during the holidays:

• Thanksgiving: Thursday (Nov 27) or Friday (Nov 28)
• Christmas: Dec 24-25

Your Holiday Booking Timeline

• Now (3-4 months out): Set up price alerts, start tracking
• 2-3 months out: Begin serious shopping, identify backup options
• 1-2 months out: BOOK for Christmas/New Year’s
• 3-4 weeks out: BOOK for Thanksgiving
• 2 weeks out: Prices spike – avoid booking now

Use Google Flights to Find the Cheapest Holiday Flights

Finding affordable holiday flights takes more than picking dates and clicking “book.” The right tools and strategies can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket.

Master Google Flights’ Flexible Date Search

Google color-codes prices (green for cheap, red for expensive) to instantly spot the best deals. Flying one day earlier or later can save $100-200 per ticket. 

Click the Date grid option to see something like this:

Notice, the green numbers are the better prices – red shows the higher prices.

Turn on price tracking in Google Flights for your specific route and dates. You’ll receive email notifications when prices change. 

Also consider implementing these search strategies:

1. Alternative airports: Compare nearby airports – smaller regional options can save significant money (just make sure to factor in the additional transportation costs)
2. Connecting flights: Add a connection to save 30-40% (be sure to leave 90+ minutes for domestic connections, 2+ hours international)
3. One-way tickets: Sometimes two one-way tickets cost less than a round-trip ticket – check both options

In the past, I was not impressed with the difference between using incognito mode and private mode, but with the rise of AI tracking, I’ve changed my mind. Try it out, and let me know what you think!

Important: Third-party sites like Expedia may show lower prices, but you’ll pay for it in hassle if anything goes wrong. During the shutdown, when irregular operations are the norm, the $20-30 you save isn’t worth the complexity of dealing with a middleman when you need to make changes.
 

Consider Budget-friendly Location Alternatives

Remember the movie “Four Christmases,” where Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn’s characters skip family obligations every year for tropical vacations? While fog ruined their plans in that movie, choosing an alternative holiday destination can actually be a smart, budget-friendly strategy – especially this year.
 
In Google Flights’ data for the 2025 holidays, the most popular destinations were:

• Tokyo, Japan
• Paris, France
• London, United Kingdom
• Cancun, Mexico
• Rome, Italy

These destinations mean higher prices and more crowds. 

There are, however, some less crowded, budget-friendly alternatives to consider:

• Instead of Paris: Try Lyon or Bordeaux, France – authentic French culture at half the price
• Instead of Cancun: Consider Puerto Vallarta or Cozumel, Mexico – beautiful beaches, fewer tourists
• Instead of Rome: Visit Naples or Bologna, Italy – incredible food and history without the crowds
• Instead of London: Try Edinburgh, Scotland or Dublin, Ireland – rich culture and easier on the wallet
• Instead of Tokyo: Consider Osaka or Kyoto, Japan – equally fascinating with lower accommodation costs

International travel sounds expensive, but sometimes it’s cheaper than domestic flights during the holidays. A flight to Europe can cost less than flying cross-country during Thanksgiving or Christmas week. 

Use Google Flights to compare:

• Domestic flights to visit family
• International destinations you’ve been considering
• Warm-weather escapes (Caribbean, Mexico, Central America)

Factor in accommodation costs too – international destinations often have cheaper hotels than major US cities during peak season.

If holiday flights are too expensive or stressful this year, consider celebrating on different dates. Host “Friendsgiving” the weekend before Thanksgiving, or plan a family gathering in January when flights are 50-70% cheaper. Your family will understand, and you’ll actually enjoy the trip instead of dreading the airport chaos.

Protecting Your Holiday Trip with Travel Insurance

The government shutdown is now considered a ‘known event’, so travel insurance claims for delays or cancellations due to the shutdown won’t be covered. This works similarly to a travel insurance policy purchased after a hurricane started—that’s now a ‘known event’, and a claim for a trip that’s disrupted by the known hurricane won’t be covered.

It’s unclear whether the airlines will be able to blame the shutdown for staffing shortages, but if you’re concerned about recouping the cost of a holiday trip, having ‘cancel for any reason’ (CFAR) coverage is your best bet.

CFAR policies cost 40-60% more but let you cancel for any reason and recoup 50-75% of your costs. It might be worth it if you’re nervous about holiday travel this year.

Another strategy is purchasing refundable tickets, which typically cost 2-3 times more than a regular ticket. If complete flexibility is your top goal, refundable tickets is the way to go.