Book Cheap Christmas Flights — December Holiday Travel Guide
Christmas falls on Thursday, December 25 — making December 19–23 the peak outbound travel window and December 26 – January 2 the peak return period. FareOptic compares all airlines and all available dates to surface the cheapest Christmas flights before holiday pricing peaks in October and November.
Find and compare cheap flights
Everything you need to find and book your next cheap flight — all in one place.
Price Match Promise
Found a better deal? We'll match it!
24/7 Customer Support
Speak to our travel experts anytime, anywhere.
ClubMiles Rewards
Stack points & airline miles to save.
Easy Cancellations
Convenient options online and 24/7 global concierge.
Recommended for your next trip
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Cheapest Days to Fly for Christmas — Date-by-Date Breakdown
Christmas fares vary significantly by exact departure date. Here's what to expect for every travel window in the holiday season.
December 19–21
Sweet Spot — Good Price, Good TimingFlying December 19–21 lets you arrive well before Christmas while fares remain reasonable. The true peak doesn't begin until December 22–23, so this window offers an excellent balance of timing and price.
Best For
Families with school-age children; anyone wanting to arrive 4–6 days early
December 22–23
Peak Outbound — Highest FaresDecember 22 and 23 are peak Christmas departure days — the equivalent of the Thanksgiving Wednesday surge, but spread over two days. Expect the highest fares and busiest airports of the December holiday season.
Best For
Only if unavoidable — book as early as possible
December 24 — Christmas Eve
Moderate — Mid-Peak PricingChristmas Eve fares are high but often slightly lower than December 22–23 because many travelers have already departed. Flying Christmas Eve morning and arriving by noon is a viable mid-peak strategy.
Best For
Travelers who prefer arriving Christmas Eve itself
December 25 — Christmas Day
Cheapest Peak-Season DayFlying on Christmas Day is the single cheapest day of the peak holiday window. Most travelers are already at their destination. Airlines often run promotions specifically for Christmas Day departures.
Best For
Non-traditional Christmas celebrations; international travelers
December 26–28 — Post-Christmas
Good Value for New Year TravelPost-Christmas flights (December 26–28) carry moderate pricing — demand dips briefly before the New Year's Eve surge. Ideal for positioning yourself in a destination for New Year celebrations.
Best For
New Year's travelers who want a few days to settle in before NYE
Best Christmas Holiday Destinations to Fly
New York City
NYC's Christmas atmosphere is world-famous — the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, Bryant Park Winter Village, and holiday window displays on 5th Avenue make December in NYC a bucket-list experience.
London, England
London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (mid-November to January 5) is Europe's largest Christmas market. Direct flights from all major US hubs via British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and American.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna's imperial Christmas markets around Rathausplatz and the Belvedere are among Europe's most beautiful. Fly into Vienna International (VIE) via Lufthansa or Austrian Airlines.
Cancún, Mexico
For families who prefer Christmas on the beach, Cancún's warm December weather and all-inclusive resorts offer a completely different kind of holiday — with direct US flights and no passport complexity.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii in December is warm, beautiful, and requires no passport. Honolulu's Christmas celebrations, surfing competitions, and Hula Bowl events make it a unique domestic holiday destination.
Orlando, Florida
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando transform for the holiday season — Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Christmas events draw millions of families each December.
How to Find Cheap Christmas Flights — 4 Proven Strategies
Book Christmas Flights by October for the Best Fares
Christmas is the second-busiest holiday travel period in the US. Book by early October to secure reasonable fares — especially for December 20–23 departures, which start filling in September on popular family routes.
Early December Travel Is 40% Cheaper Than Peak Week
If your schedule allows, flying December 1–17 and returning December 27–31 avoids the $200–$400 per-ticket premium of peak Christmas week. Many employers offer holiday travel flexibility that makes this possible.
Consider Flying Christmas Day for Dramatically Lower Fares
Christmas Day itself (December 25) is consistently one of the cheapest days to fly during the holiday season. Many routes see fares 30–50% below December 22–23 prices. A Christmas morning flight can save a family of four $400–$800.
January Return Flights Are Cheaper Than Late December
If possible, plan your return flight for January 2–5 instead of December 30–January 1. Post-New-Year return flights are significantly cheaper than the peak December 30 – January 1 return surge.
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking cheap Christmas flights for the holiday season
When is Christmas?
Christmas Day is always December 25. Christmas falls on a Thursday. Christmas falls on a Friday, creating an excellent long-weekend holiday travel window.
What is the cheapest day to fly for Christmas?
Christmas Day (December 25) is the cheapest day to fly during the holiday window — most travelers are already at their destination. December 26 and 27 are also relatively affordable. The most expensive days are typically December 22 and 23, which are peak outbound travel days.
How far in advance should I book Christmas flights?
Book Christmas flights by early October — September is even better for peak departure dates (December 20–23). The Christmas holiday booking window is longer than Thanksgiving, with savvy travelers often booking in August or September. Waiting until November typically means paying $200–$400 more per ticket on popular routes.
Are Christmas or Thanksgiving flights more expensive?
Thanksgiving flights have a more concentrated demand spike (5-day window) while Christmas travel is spread over 12–15 days (December 20 – January 2). The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the single most expensive day, but Christmas week as a whole has sustained high fares across more days.
What are the best Christmas holiday destinations?
For festive atmosphere: New York City (Rockefeller tree, markets), London (Hyde Park Winter Wonderland), Vienna (Christmas markets). For warm-weather Christmas: Cancún, Hawaii (Honolulu), and Florida (Orlando, Miami). For international adventure: Japan's illumination season, Lapland (Finland) for Christmas with Santa.
Can I find cheap last-minute Christmas flights?
Cheap last-minute Christmas flights are rare — unlike Thanksgiving, airlines rarely discount Christmas inventory significantly because demand is sustained over 2+ weeks. However, FareOptic monitors all available inventory including consolidator fares. If your dates are flexible, flying December 19–20 instead of December 22–23 offers the best 'late booking' savings.
Do airlines charge more for holiday flights?
Yes — airlines use dynamic pricing that reflects demand. Christmas and Thanksgiving flights are priced significantly higher than the same routes in February or October. The increase is demand-driven, not a specific 'holiday surcharge.' Booking early (when demand hasn't fully materialized) is the only reliable way to pay less.
24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance
With our 24/7 Post-Flight Booking Assistance, you will never have to manage travel challenges alone. Our highly trained travel experts are available day and night to support you with any changes, cancellations, or additional services you may require. From updating passenger details to securing special requests, we make the process smooth and stress-free.
Should your plans shift, we will walk you through every step of the cancellation and refund process, ensuring clarity and timely resolutions. In today's unpredictable travel environment, flexibility is essential, and we pride ourselves on delivering expert solutions quickly. Contact us anytime and travel with confidence knowing we will handle the details while you focus on what matters most — your journey.