The festive months of the year have begun and this is officially time for the holiday flights to take off. You might already be making plans for Christmas and wondering if 11 a.m. on a Tuesday is the perfect time to book the tickets or waiting the last minute would get you a better deal. But that might not be the best strategy anymore. For Christmas 2026, the sweet spot for cheaper fares has shifted slightly earlier, while a new set of destinations is attracting growing interest from holiday travellers. According to Google’s analysis of 5 years of Google Flights data, Christmas fares for U.S. departures have historically been at their lowest around 56 days before departure. The broader low-price window falls between 33 and 67 days before take-off, meaning travellers looking for Christmas bargains should ideally be watching fares from late October through mid-November. The sweet spot has moved five days earlier compared with last year. And what works there, works here, too. But that does not mean travellers should sit around waiting for exactly day 56. Google recommends booking holiday flights as early as possible, particularly when dates and destinations are fixed. For international journeys, the data is even more tilted towards booking early: fares have reached their lowest average around 89 days before departure, although Google notes that there is little meaningful advantage to waiting within the wider low-price range. If you are still deciding on where to go for Christmas and New Year, Google’s trending destination list offers some clues about where holiday interest is moving. Travel trends for Christmas according to Google (Credits: iStock) Athens, Greece takes the top spot among trending international destinations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve travel. It is followed by Québec City, Canada; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Guatemala City, Guatemala. These destinations recorded the largest relative increase in Google Flights searches compared with the previous year. The list makes for an interesting mix. Athens brings ancient history, Mediterranean food and a winter city break, while Québec City offers a distinctly festive atmosphere. Rio is the warmer escape, Hanoi brings Southeast Asian culture and food into the picture, and Guatemala City could appeal to travellers looking for something less conventional. And there are a few other ways to cut the airfare bill. Google’s data suggests that the day you buy your ticket matters far less than the day you fly. Wednesday was the cheapest day to book in the latest analysis, but the saving compared with the most expensive booking day was only about 1.4%. Flying midweek can make a bigger difference. Departing on Monday and returning Tuesday or Wednesday can save around 14% compared with weekend travel, according to Google. Travellers willing to take a connecting flight rather than fly nonstop could also save, with nonstop fares averaging about 20% more. So, if Christmas travel is on your calendar, the takeaway is simple: start tracking now, compare your dates, and don’t wait for a mythical 'perfect Tuesday' to book. Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now. Simran covers books that start conversations, beauty insights, fashion moods, and stories that make people feel something. Off duty? You’ll find her c... View More