When to Book Thanksgiving Flights for the Lowest Price
October timing, 2026 fares near $402, and cheaper Thanksgiving travel days to cut last-minute costs.
Book domestic Thanksgiving flights in October, about 35 days before departure, for the lowest average fare. The broader low-price window runs 24 to 59 days before the trip. Google Flights' 2025 analysis of four years of data supports that timing.
Google details that finding in Google's 2025 holiday travel trends. On November 4, that October window has passed for 2026, so late bookers should focus on day choice and price tracking.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 04, 2026.
Why October sets the price
Expedia's 2025 countdown advised domestic Thanksgiving booking by October 27 to save up to $60. International Thanksgiving flights had an earlier cutoff of September 27 to save up to $70. Expedia explains both cutoffs in Expedia's holiday booking guide via TravelPulse.
The October date is a planning marker, not a sale day. If you missed it, fares rarely fall as Thanksgiving nears.
What 2026 fares look like
Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index put the average domestic Thanksgiving round trip at $402. That is up 31 percent, about $95, from 2025 and the highest in a decade. Hopper urged booking before Halloween, as reported in Hopper data reported by Fox Weather.
On November 4, that Halloween marker has also passed. Expect fewer low fares and act on a livable price rather than waiting.
Which days cost less?
Hopper found Monday, November 23 the cheapest 2026 Thanksgiving departure at about $370. That was roughly $50 less than Wednesday, while Sunday, November 29 peaked near $604. Those day gaps are detailed in Hopper data reported by Lee Enterprises.
Expedia and Google analyses also point to Thanksgiving Day itself as a cheaper departure. Google's 2025 analysis found midweek Monday to Wednesday flights about 13 percent cheaper than weekends.
What to do after the window?
Google notes these windows describe historical U.S. averages from aggregated searches and ticket data. Your route and year can differ, and no date assures the lowest fare.
For November 4 bookers, focus on control: Book a fare you can live with, then keep tracking in case it drops.
- Turn on Google Flights price tracking now.
- Book a livable fare now rather than waiting for a November sale.
- Shift to Monday or Thanksgiving Day departures when possible, and avoid Sunday return.