If you’re an immigrant or newcomer to the US, then you’re probably not booking a flight just because you feel like it. There’s usually something on the calendar, someone waiting for you to visit, or a moment you don’t want to miss.
But we all know that moment of opening your go-to airline website, half-excited and half-nervous, bracing yourself to see what the prices look like this time. Prices move constantly, and it’s hard to tell whether waiting is smart or risky. At Remitly, we understand that pressure, especially when travel plans are tied to loved ones. So, we’ve put together this guide with tips to help you find the best time to book your next international flight.
The “golden window” for booking international flights
There’s no single day when flight prices magically drop. What does exist is a time range that tends to work better than the rest.
The booking window that usually works best
For most international trips, prices tend to be more reasonable when you book two to six months before departure. By this point, airlines have released enough seats to start competing with each other, but the flight usually isn’t full enough for prices to spike.
This window works especially well for long-haul routes from the US. Demand is steady, but not urgent, which means more airlines show up in search results, and you’re less likely to see those warnings that we all know make us panic buy.
It’s also the point where price trends start to make sense. You can see what’s normal for that route instead of reacting to one unusually high or low fare.
Why booking too early or too late often backfires
Booking far in advance can feel like the responsible move, especially if you’ve already locked in time off work. The catch is that airlines often price those early seats higher, knowing that some travelers don’t have much flexibility.
Waiting too long usually comes with the opposite problem. As seats fill up, prices go up, not because the flight is popular, but because there’s less inventory left. International flights rarely get cheaper at the last minute, and once you’re within a few weeks of departure, fares tend to move in one direction.
Why seasonality matters for flight prices
When you travel often matters just as much as when you book. From the US, international flight prices rise and fall around school calendars, and other times when airlines know demand will be highest.
Peak season travel
Peak season usually lines up with summer travel (June through August) and major holidays when people in the US are most likely to take time off. Think Christmas and New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Lunar New Year on routes where demand is high.
During these periods, international flights fill up fast. Airlines know seats will sell, so prices tend to rise earlier and more sharply than at other times of the year.
If you’re planning to travel during peak season, booking six to eight months ahead can help you avoid the steepest price jumps. Waiting until the usual two-to-six-month window could mean paying a premium.
Shoulder season: the best balance of price and comfort
Shoulder season sits just outside peak travel periods, when demand starts to ease, but flights are still running frequently. From the US, this often means May, before summer crowds arrive, or September and early October, after they leave.
Prices during shoulder season are usually lower, flights are less crowded, and airports feel calmer. For many international trips, this is the point where cost, comfort, and availability line up nicely.
Off-peak season: cheaper fares with a few trade-offs
Off-peak travel typically falls in late January through early March, excluding holiday weeks. Travel airfare reports regularly show this period as one of the cheapest times of year to fly internationally.
The trade-off is that some destinations have colder weather, shorter days, or reduced flight schedules. That said, if saving money is the priority and you don’t mind bundling up or planning around layover options, off-peak travel can make a big difference to your budget.
How airlines set flight prices
Have you ever checked flight prices in the morning and then again in the evening and noticed the prices are very different? It’s not just you. It’s just dynamic pricing doing its thing.
Why flight prices change so often
Airlines adjust prices constantly based on a few big factors:
- How many seats are left
- How quickly people are booking
- How the route usually performs
Why prices can look random
Two flights on the same route can be priced very differently depending on timing and competition. A nonstop flight with limited seats left might cost more than a connecting flight that still has plenty of availability.
Pricing algorithms react to overall trends, not individual customers. They don’t know who you are or why you’re traveling. They’re just adjusting based on how the flight is selling at that moment, which is why prices can move up and down in the weeks leading up to departure.
Does the day you book or fly really matter?
You’ve probably heard that booking on a Tuesday is the secret to cheaper flights. That used to be true years ago, but today it’s mostly a myth. Prices change all the time, not on a fixed schedule.
What still matters is the day you fly. Airline data consistently shows that midweek departures, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper than flying on Fridays or Sundays. Saturdays can also offer savings on some international routes, depending on demand.
When your travel dates are locked in
For a lot of international travel, the timing is set long before you even start searching for flights.
Traveling for family, visas, and real-life reasons
Many trips happen because something important is happening back home, visas expire, school terms end, and work calendars allow a short window.
We’ve all experienced the pressure of living far away from family and trying to make sure we can attend weddings and family emergencies. It’s normal to plan travel around real-life deadlines, not price charts. But it changes how you approach booking international flights.
When your dates are fixed, booking earlier within the usual window can help protect you from sudden price jumps. Watching prices for a couple of weeks before you book can also give you a sense of what’s typical for that route, which makes it easier to spot a fair deal.
When a “good enough” price really is good enough
Chasing the absolute lowest price can turn into a full-time job, and honestly, it rarely feels worth it. If you find a fare that fits your budget and your dates, booking it and moving on can be the best decision for your peace of mind. When the trip matters, saving your energy is sometimes more valuable than saving a little extra money.
Regional and route-specific differences
Where you’re flying from in the US, and where you’re headed can change how far ahead you should book.
When to book flights to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean
Flights from the US to Europe and Asia usually do better when booked four to five months in advance, especially for summer travel. These routes are popular, often long-haul, and tend to fill up steadily as travel dates approach.
Flights to Latin America and the Caribbean often have a shorter booking window. In many cases, two to three months ahead is enough to find a good price, particularly outside major holiday periods.
Why do some international routes behave differently
Some routes have more airlines competing for passengers, which helps keep prices in check. Others have fewer options, meaning prices stay higher and don’t move as much.
Routes with heavy immigrant travel can also see predictable spikes around certain times of year, especially when large groups of people travel home at once. Knowing this ahead of time helps set realistic expectations and reduces last-minute worry.
Nonstop vs. connecting flights and the price trade-offs
Nonstop flights are convenient, especially after a long trip, but they usually come with higher prices. Connecting flights often cost less, particularly if you’re open to longer layovers or flexible routing. For long international trips, choosing a connection can make a big difference to your budget.
How to find and track flight prices
Tracking prices won’t guarantee the cheapest fare every time, but it will help you make a confident decision.
Start with your travel month
Before you pick specific days, look at prices by month. Most flight search tools let you view a calendar or price grid, which helps you see patterns instead of reacting to one random number. It helps to pay attention to things like:
- Which weeks are consistently cheaper
- Whether prices jump on weekends
- How much prices change when you move your trip by a day or two
Track prices and let alerts do the work
Once you’ve found a route and rough timeframe that works, set up price alerts. Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper track changes automatically and notify you when prices move. There are a few tips that help, including:
- Track prices on more than one platform to spot trends
- Set alerts for nearby airports if you’re open to alternatives
- Give yourself at least a couple of weeks to observe price movement
Common mistakes when booking international flights
Most people don’t overpay for flights because they’re bad at booking. It usually happens because a few small things get missed along the way.
Waiting too long or chasing the “perfect” price
It’s tempting to keep checking prices, especially when you feel like they might drop just a little more. The problem is that international fares don’t behave like flash sales. Once demand starts picking up, prices often climb and don’t come back down.
A common scenario is you see a price that feels okay, decide to wait a few days, and suddenly it’s $150 more. That doesn’t mean you timed it wrong; it just means the flight is filling up.
A good rule of thumb is that if the price fits your budget and aligns with what you’ve been seeing, it’s probably time to book. And try not to keep checking after you’ve booked. The mental relief is often worth more than whatever small difference you might see later.
Overlooking baggage rules, airports, and flexibility
That super low price can look great until you get to checkout. Many international tickets, especially basic economy fares, charge extra for checked bags, seat selection, or even carry-ons on certain routes.
Before booking, it’s worth checking:
- How many bags are included (especially if you’re packing for a longer stay)
- Whether the ticket allows changes or cancellations
- Which airport you’re actually flying into or out of
Flying into a smaller or alternate airport can sometimes save money, but it can also mean extra ground transport or fewer backup options if plans change. Cheap flights are great, but predictable flights are often better.
Getting the timing right for your next international flight
The number one thing to take away from this guide is that yes, timing matters, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. For most international flights from the US, booking two to six months in advance gives you the best chance at a fair price. And if you’re traveling during peak seasons or fixed dates, you’ll want to adjust that timeline to be at least six months or more.
With that being said, there’s no perfect day to book or secret trick. What helps is getting to know patterns, watching prices, doing as much research as possible on routes, and booking when things are within your budget instead of waiting for a deal that might never come.
Once you’ve booked, you can relax and focus on what really matters: getting where you need to go without overpaying or overthinking.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to book international flights last minute?
Usually no. Prices tend to rise sharply within three weeks of departure.
Does using “incognito mode” really help?
There’s no strong evidence that it lowers prices, but it can’t hurt either.
Is it better to book one-way or round-trip flights?
Round-trip tickets are often cheaper and may be helpful for visa or entry requirements.
What if I don’t know my return date yet?
Look for flexible fares or airlines with change options to give yourself room to adjust.
How early is too early to book a flight home?
More than eight or nine months ahead often means higher prices, unless you’re traveling during peak season.