Best Day to Book on Expedia (2025): Book Sunday, Fly Thu/Sat, Save More
Booking travel on Expedia doesn’t have to feel like throwing darts at a calendar. There’s real data behind when to click “book” — and it can save you serious money. In 2025, the patterns are clear: book on Sunday, fly Thursday (international) or Saturday (domestic), and time your purchase using proven booking windows.
Think of it like shopping for anything else: there are better days to buy, and days when you’ll overpay. Before you plan your next trip, check Groupon’s latest Expedia discount codes to stack extra savings.
2025 Quick Wins (Save These)
- Book flights on Sunday (consistently cheaper than Friday).
- Fly Thursday (international) or Saturday (domestic); avoid Sunday departures when possible.
- Booking windows: Domestic 1–3 months ahead; International about 18–29 days (start tracking earlier for peak routes).
- Depart before 3 p.m. to reduce cancellation risk.
Why Timing Your Expedia Booking Matters
Airlines and hotels price dynamically using demand patterns, historical data, and booking trends. That means there are predictable windows when prices dip — and when they spike.
The Real Cost of Bad Timing
Booking on the wrong day or too late can cost you real money. The difference between an optimal booking day/window and a poor one can easily translate to double-digit percentage swings on airfare.
What Expedia’s Latest Data Shows
Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report analyzed millions of bookings. The headline findings: Sunday is your best day to book flights, Saturday is typically cheapest to depart domestically, and Thursday is the cheapest departure day for international trips. Booking windows shifted closer to departure for many routes.
Best Days to Book vs. Best Days to Fly
Don’t mix up booking day with travel day — they’re different levers:
Book on Sunday
Across most routes, Sunday delivers lower average prices to book flights than weekdays (and especially compared with Friday).
Fly Thursday (International) / Saturday (Domestic)
When it comes to the day you actually fly: international itineraries are cheapest on Thursdays on average, while domestic itineraries are often cheapest on Saturdays. Sunday tends to be the priciest day to depart.
Early Departures Are More Reliable
Flights leaving after 3 p.m. have a significantly higher chance of cancellation than morning departures. When you can, opt for earlier takeoffs.
How Far Ahead Should You Book?
The “book early vs. wait for deals” debate now has updated guidance for 2025.
Domestic Flights: 1–3 Months Ahead
Aim to book domestic trips roughly 1–3 months before departure. That window balances selection and price, and routinely beats last-minute premiums.
International Flights: ~18–29 Days
International pricing often firms closer to departure than you’d expect. The current “magic window” averages around 18–29 days out for many routes — though you should start tracking earlier for peak seasons or popular long-haul corridors.
Why Booking Too Early Can Backfire
Schedules publish months ahead, but the best fares don’t always drop immediately. Airlines test demand and adjust accordingly — so ultra-early bookings can miss later dips.
Hotel Booking Strategy: Friday Works Best
Hotels follow different patterns than flights. While Sunday is best for flight bookings, Friday is typically the cheapest day to book hotels. For busy seasons or high-demand cities, booking 1–3 months ahead still offers the best balance of price and choice. Last-minute stays can work, but only if you’re flexible on property and amenities.
Expedia Features That Can Save You More
Price Drop Protection (How It Really Works)
One Key Gold and Platinum members who book eligible flights in the Expedia app get Price Drop Protection included on select itineraries. If the price drops on Expedia after you book, you’ll receive a OneKeyCash award for the difference after travel. (Not all flights qualify; availability is shown on the flight details screen. Others may be able to add it for a fee when offered.)
One Key Loyalty Perks
Joining One Key is free, and points (OneKeyCash) can be redeemed toward future bookings. Higher tiers unlock extras — including no-extra-cost Price Drop Protection on select app bookings for Gold/Platinum.
Bundle & Save
Packaging flights + hotel (and sometimes car) can unlock additional savings thanks to negotiated rates. Always compare the package total to booking items separately; in some cases, adding a low-cost rental car to a flight+hotel bundle lowers the overall price.
FAQs
What’s the absolute best day to book a flight on Expedia?
Sunday remains the most reliable day to book flights at lower average prices versus weekdays — especially Fridays.
What’s the cheapest day to fly?
For domestic trips, departing on Saturday tends to be cheapest. For international trips, Thursday departures are typically best. Sunday departures are often most expensive.
How far in advance should I book?
Domestic: 1–3 months. International: about 18–29 days (track earlier if you’re traveling peak season or require specific routings).
Do last-minute deals ever beat these rules?
They can — if you’re flexible on dates, destinations, and cabin. For specific flights, tight connections, or peak dates, the data-backed windows generally win.
How do I use Price Drop Protection?
Book in the Expedia app on a flight that shows Price Drop Protection included (Gold/Platinum) or add it when offered for a fee. If the fare drops on Expedia after you book, you’ll receive the difference as OneKeyCash after your trip.
Your Expedia Booking Checklist
| Travel Type | Best Booking Day | Optimal Advance Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Flights | Sunday | 1–3 months | Saturday departures often cheapest; avoid Sunday departures. |
| International Flights | Sunday | ~18–29 days | Thursday departures often cheapest; start tracking earlier for peaks. |
| Hotels | Friday | 1–3 months (varies) | Last-minute stays can work if flexible on property/amenities. |
- Join free One Key for points & perks.
- Use the Expedia app to access Price Drop Protection on eligible flights (Gold/Platinum included).
- Bundle flights + hotel to unlock package rates.
- Choose earlier departures to reduce cancellation risk.
Start Saving on Your Next Trip
Now you’ve got a data-backed strategy for 2025: book on Sunday, fly Thu/Sat, and use booking windows that actually work. Before checkout, explore Groupon’s latest Expedia discount codes — it’s the easiest way to stack savings on top of your smart timing.
