Travel Lovers Should Read! When is the Great Deal to Travel This Year? What Are The Best Departure Timings? ＜How to travel smart＞

People are always busy with work or studies. But they sometimes think that they just want to travel and fully enjoy it. In that time, I recommend choosing a time when there are great deals and fewer crowds. That way, you can travel comfortably.

Therefore, I’ll introduce the “2025 Travel Savings Guide”, released by Expedia in collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) and Official Airline Guide (OAG), based on billions of data points and airline ticket records.

Should Choose This Month If You Are Traveling!

If you haven’t fixed travel dates yet, you should check for a great deal of a month before making a decision. You can save money.

According to Expedia’s “2025 Travel Savings Guide”, “May” is the best month to travel in economy class (*1). Traveling in May can save you up to 9% compared to the most expensive month, January!

Also, “June” is the most cost-effective option for business class and higher. Traveling in June instead of the priciest month, September, you can save up to 12%.

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Best deal month: May (Save 9%)
Most expensive month: January

If you want to avoid crowded flights, don’t miss the best travel times. According to Expedia’s flight data, “January” (*2) is the least crowded month to fly.

“Tuesday” (*3) has especially the lowest congestion. If you schedule your departure or arrival on a Tuesday, you can avoid crowded and enjoy a smoother journey.

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Avoid crowded flights
Most empty day: Tuesday
Most empty month: January
Most crowded month: August

Should Choose This Day of the Week If You Book a Flight!

When you have decided on your destination and travel dates, you should book your flight while checking the best day to buy tickets.

By the “2025 Travel Savings Guide”, “Sunday” (*3) is the best day to book flights, regardless of your itinerary or seat class. Booking on a Sunday can save you up to 26% compared to the most expensive day, Friday!

Also, “Saturday” is the cheapest option for international economy class tickets specifically. If you book on a Saturday instead of Friday, you save up to 19%.

If you book an international business class or higher ticket, “Sunday” is the most cost-effective option. Booking on a Sunday instead of the most expensive day, “Friday”, you can save up to 38%!

Another worry is “how many days in advance you should book”. For international flights, the ideal window is “18 to 24 days before departure” (*4). Booking within this period can save you up to 9% compared to booking during the priciest window than 35 to 41 days before departure.

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Best time to book for a good deal
Domestic flights: 173 to 180 in advance
International flights: 18 to 24 days in advance

Incidentally, “Thursday” (*1) is the cheapest day to start your trip regardless of your itinerary or seat class. If you depart on a Thursday instead of the most expensive day, “Sunday”, can save you up to 21%.

For international economy class flights, flying on a Thursday can save you up to 18% compared to Sunday. If you’re flying business class or higher, departing on a Thursday instead of Sunday can save you up to 26%.

Should Choose This Period of Time If You Want to Avoid Flight Cancellations!

If you get on a plane, you definitely don’t want your flight to be canceled. Fortunately, there are specific times to avoid flight cancellations!

According to “Expedia’s Annual Flight Data”, flights departing between “9 AM and 3 PM” (*5) have up to a 30% lower chance of being canceled.

In addition, looking at cancellations by month, “August” is the lowest cancellation rate, so don’t miss it if you want a comfortable trip. On the other hand, “February” (*4) is the highest risk of cancellations.

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Cancelled flights and delays
30% lower chance of canceled flight: Between 9 AM and 3 PM
Month with the fewest cancellations and delays: August

If you choose a great deal, you can enjoy delicious meals and buy nice products while traveling. And you can feel comfortable by avoiding crowds and flight cancellation! Why not travel smart and make great memories?

Information provided by Expedia

<About the Data Usage>
※1: This is based on the “average round-trip airfare” for flights departing from Japan, according to ARC’s global airline sales database, covering the period from January to December 2024.
※2: These insights are derived from “Expedia’s flight data” for the period between January and December 2024. 
※3: Be aware that this is based on the “average round-trip airfare” for Japan departures, according to ARC’s global airline sales database, covering January to October 2024. 
※4: This data reflects the “average round-trip airfare” for Japan departures, based on ARC’s global airline sales database, covering January to November 2024. 
※5: The flight status data is sourced from “OAG’s global flight data platform”, covering flights departing from Japan between January and August 2024.