I Asked Travel Experts When To Book Your First Trip of 2027
A first trip of the year can be a welcome antidote to winter gloom or chill but booking too early or too late can affect both price and choice. There is no single magic day to buy airfare, travel experts said, but your destination, dates and priorities should determine how quickly you act.
For anyone hoping to travel in January through March 2027, travel experts make helpful recommendations for when to book.
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Start Looking Now for January Through March Travel
Start looking now, said Jennifer Fernandez, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based Fora travel advisor at Ciel Doré Travel, especially if you already know where you want to go.
“Flight costs are not going down any time soon, so I prefer to book as soon as possible, particularly for the better route and schedule options,” she said. In lieu of the cheapest ticket, look for the schedule, route and seat selection you want.
Her general guideline is to book domestic flights about three to four months ahead and international flights six to nine months ahead. That means travelers considering a January or February international getaway should move quickly.
“The earlier you can book that international flight the better, particularly if you are traveling during peak season for your destination," Fernandez shared.
Use a Shorter Window for Low-Season Domestic Trips
Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Flighty, takes a more flexible view.
“There is no perfect date associated with the exact trip you are looking to take,” Nastro said. She thinks of flight pricing as a “bell curve,” meaning the best odds of a favorable fare may fall within a booking window rather than on one exact day.
Domestic off-peak travel months, like January and much of February, can be lower-demand travel periods in many Northern Hemisphere destinations, she said, “So travelers can get away with booking closer in.”
Book Much Earlier for Ski Trips, Breaks and Big Events
Some trips should not follow a standard airfare timeline. Maddie Hizny, owner of boutique luxury travel agency Heirloom Travel Co., urged travelers to book ski getaways nine to 12 months in advance.
“Many of the highly-desired ski destinations have a limited number of accommodations and fill up fast,” she said.
School breaks, beach destinations during spring break and major events also call for more urgency. Nastro recommends a three- to seven-month window for domestic peak-season trips and four to 10 months for international ones, noting that fares can disappear quickly once demand picks up.
Treat Flights and Hotels as Separate Decisions
Flights generally become more expensive as the trip gets closer, while hotels may have more flexibility, Nastro explained. Still, travelers with a specific hotel, resort or location they want to stay at may want to reserve the room first, especially if it has a refundable rate.
Fernandez recommended refundable, pay-later hotel reservations for travelers who want to reserve a preferred property while preserving flexibility.
Skip the Best Day To Book Myth and Track Prices Instead
All the experts discourage travelers from relying on the old idea that Tuesday or Wednesday is automatically the best day to purchase airfare. The days you fly, flexibility in your travel dates and price tracking matter more.
Set alerts through tools such as Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak, then consider booking when a fare fits your budget and itinerary, Nastro said. She also noted that travelers who buy a main economy fare, rather than basic economy, may have more flexibility to seek a credit if the fare later drops.
“It’s not what day you book, it’s when you travel,” Nastro said.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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