Now that we’re in October, most people are starting to at least think about Thanksgiving, and that’s particularly true for those who are going to travel for the holiday. But while most people will likely start booking their Thanksgiving travel in the coming days, is now really the best time to do so?
Well, according to the AAA, if you’re looking for a deal on price, you may want to hold off on getting your ticket. They note that most people book Thanksgiving travel one or two months in advance, but those who book less than a month before will get better deals. In fact, a recent comparison finds that the average price for a ticket when booking between seven and 14 days of travel is $474, compared to the most expensive, $543, when booking 28 to 60 days out.
Of course, there are some problems with waiting, with the biggest issue airlines having much less inventory so you risk not being able to book your preferred time or a non-stop flight. And the exception to the less than a month rule is booking the week of Thanksgiving itself, when prices will increase again.
- As for the best days to travel before Thanksgiving, Tuesday has surpassed Wednesday as the busiest day, while Sunday is the most expensive, and Monday is one of the cheapest. The absolute cheapest price you’ll find though is traveling Thanksgiving day.
- ONE MORE THING! So, where are most people traveling to this Thanksgiving? Well, according to AAA, the top domestic destination is Orlando, Florida, followed by New York, New York
Top 10 Domestic Travel Destinations For Thanksgiving
- Orlando, FL
- New York, NY
- Anaheim, CA
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Charlotte, NC
- Maui, HI
Source: AAA
Photo: Getty Images