Best Days to Fly for Christmas 2025 | Booking Guide

Enjoy this Christmas with your loved ones and family on December 25th. It’s a special holiday when people come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A festival of gifts and surprises, when people decorate their homes with lights, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Travel this Christmas to your dream destination with Travelpodium. Whether you’re reuniting with family, planning a winter getaway, or flying home for the holidays, airfare can take a big bite out of your budget, especially if you book too late.

If you are booking too early, then it may have its risks, as the airlines may not have released all discounted seats yet, while if you are booking too late, especially in the last few weeks before Christmas almost always leads to higher prices.

Flying within the U.S.

You might be wondering, when is the best time to buy flights for Christmas? It depends on where you are flying.

When to book: If choosing domestic destinations, then make sure to book your flight at the best time, which is about 1–3 months in advance, typically from mid-September through mid-October.

The Sweet Spot for Booking: If you are booking around 70 days before departure, then it tends to be the sweet spot, according to Google Flights and other airfare studies.

Booking Too Early or Too Late: Booking earlier (August or early September) might not always get you the best price, but waiting too long (into November or December) almost always leads to higher fares.

Flying International

If you are thinking of flying internationally but don’t know the best time to buy international flights for Christmas, then this guide may help you. When dreaming of long-haul destinations or routes with high demand like Europe, Asia, or South America, you must book early to find lower fares.

• When to book: Aim to purchase tickets 3 to 6 months in advance for most international routes.
• For example, if you plan to depart between December 21 and 24, the best prices are usually available between June and early October.
• Avoid peak travel days: Try not to fly on weekends or during the busiest period (Dec 22–26) as these are the most expensive dates of the season.
• Best days to fly: Consider flying on Christmas Day, Dec 25, or after Dec 26 because these days are less popular and can often save you a surprising amount on airfare

Best Cities to Travel for Christmas

You can explore amazing U.S. destinations for Christmas, depending on your vibe:

• New York City: The absolute classic choice, famous for its Rockefeller  Center Christmas tree, ice skating at Bryant Park, window displays, Broadway shows, and magical festive atmosphere all around Manhattan.
• Leavenworth, Washington: A Bavarian-style Christmas town that feels like Europe.
• Aspen, Colorado: Perfect for a snowy, luxury mountain holiday with lights and skiing.
• Chicago: Famous for its Christkindlmarket, beautiful downtown lights, and great food.
• Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia: Warmer places with cozy charm and lots of history.
• Orlando, Florida: For a Disney holiday experience with kids, but it’s expected to be crowded

For international travel, you can fly to these top spots from the U.S. for a magical Christmas:

• Germany or Austria: These are the destinations known for iconic Christmas markets like Munich, Vienna, and Nuremberg.
• London or Paris: For beautiful lights, festive atmosphere, and amazing holiday shopping.
• Lapland, Finland: If you want to meet Santa Claus, ride huskies, and see the Northern Lights.
• Japan: Christmas in Tokyo is unique, with all the lights, no religion, and a lot of romance.
• Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende: For festive celebrations with food, lights, and music, and warmer weather

Plan your Christmas flights for 2025 with Travelpodium

For a stress-free and hassle-free trip, book your flights now with Travelpodium. We are here with the best facilities and comfort. From flying domestically to internationally, we help you book smarter and lock in the best holiday fares before they vanish. So let us take the stress out of your Christmas 2025 travel plans.

Conclusion

When planning your holiday travel, knowing when is the best time to buy flights for Christmas can save you a lot of money and stress. The best time to buy Christmas flights 2025 for a domestic trip is generally between mid-September and mid-October of about 60 to 90 days in advance. The best time to buy international flights for Christmas is earlier, around 3 to 6 months ahead, especially for popular destinations like Europe or Asia.

Keep in mind, prices usually rise as you get closer to the holiday season, especially during the busiest days around December 22–26. Flying on Christmas Day (December 25) or just after can often help you save. 

Book smart, plan early, and make your Christmas 2025 travel unforgettable with Travelpodium.