Summer break is over, class is back in session, and fall is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start planning for the most wonderful time of the year, the holiday season
With only 106 days until Christmas (sorry) and 112 days until New Year’s Eve, many Canadians are ready to book their holiday travel. While getting the cheapest airfare can sometimes feel like a game of chance, a few savvy strategies can help increase your odds of saving. This year, let Google Flights be your co-pilot in the quest for budget-friendly holiday travel.
Debunking flight booking myths: it’s not about the day
If you’re waiting for the right day of the week to book, it may not make a significant impact on your budget. According to Google Flights, while Tuesday is the cheapest day to book, the cost savings is only 1.4% less than Saturday, which is the most expensive day.
Embrace the layover: direct flights come at a price
For those prioritizing convenience, a direct flight is often worth the extra cost. However, if you’re traveling on a budget, be prepared to embrace layovers. Our analysis shows that nonstop flights are, on average, 18% more expensive than flights with one or more stops. That layover could translate to significant savings, giving you more room in your budget for holiday fun.
The Wynwood Walls arts complex in Miami, Florida. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Timing is key: the sweet spot for booking your flight
When it comes to airfare, timing is everything. Booking too early or too late can mean missing out on the best prices. For most dates and destinations, 115 days before your travel, on average, is the cheapest time to book. For travel dates in December and January, we recommend booking 80-115 days out, with the cheapest time to book on average being 87 days out. And when it comes to Christmas, 100 days before your flight is on average the best time to book.
Need some inspiration on where to travel this holiday season? Here are the top searched destinations (from Canadian airports) on Google Flights for the holidays:
- Cancun (perennial fave, and seemingly growing in popularity, with a huge range of hotels and resorts and great weather)
- Fort Lauderdale (family friendly, but also welcoming to the LGBTQ crowd)
- Miami (a Canadian fave year after year, with a lively arts scene and a great party atmosphere)
- Orlando (theme parks, sure, but also great nature all around, and fabulous Asian food in the Mills 50 district)
- Puerto Vallarta (never been; sorry)
- Las Vegas (always lively, with great shows and utterly fabulous food)
- Los Angeles (also amazing food, not to mention museums, beaches and fun towns and districts like West Hollywood and Santa Monica)
- Honolulu (a tremendously cosmopolitan city, with magnificent beaches, waterfalls, shopping and world-class restaurants)
- New York City (perhaps the greatest city in the world for foodies and culture vultures)
- Punta Cana (super reliable weather, a nice mix of resorts for families and luxury lovers, and superb beaches)
Florida takes three of the top 10 (and three of the top four). Seven of the top 10 are in the U.S., two in Mexico and one in the Dominican Republic.
WHERE U.S. TRAVELLERS ARE GOING THIS FALL
Try a cycling ride along the beach at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Photo courtesy Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.
IMG (International Medical Group), a global insurance benefits and assistance services company, has conducted a review of customers’ travel plans from the beginning of September to the end of November and predicts this autumn’s top 10 international destinations for U.S. travelers to be:
Mexico
Aruba
Italy
Dominican Republic
Bahamas
Canada
Jamaica
France
United Kingdom
Spain
Nothing too surprising except maybe Aruba. Note that Mexico comes out on top for U.S. travelers in the fall and for Canadian travellers (specifically, Cancun) for the holiday season.
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