January and September: The Best Months to Fly and Save in 2026
The day of returning from the holidays is now behind us, but January’s commitments are putting the resistance to the test. However, the first month of the year delivers advantageous opportunities for airline bookings. According to the Report Best Time to Book 2026 by eDreams, world leader in the online travel sector, analyzing bookings made from 1 January to 31 December 2025, highlights the most convenient months, days, and times to book a flight, as well as offering a dedicated tool to better plan the trip.
January offers advantageous rates for national and international flights
Cheaper National and Continental Rates
Departing from Italy, the cheapest domestic flights were recorded at January and February (100 and 119 Euros respectively). For continental flights, January is confirmed as the most advantageous month (130 Euros), followed by September (139 Euros) and May (152 Euros). For intercontinental flights, the best month was September (400 Euro).
The most convenient months and destinations to plan trips for 2026
Non-European Destinations: America, Africa, and Asia
For routes to other continents, January offered the best fares to America (648 Euros), while Africa and Asia reached the most convenient prices in September (267 Euros and 359 Euros). This data allows you to accurately plan even long-distance trips without budget surprises.
The Most Convenient Destinations Month by Month
For those who dream of European metropolises, January recorded attractive fares to Italy (100 Euros), France (148 Euros), the United Kingdom (135 Euros), and Spain (117 Euros). Spring and summer rewarded those traveling to Croatia (127 Euros in May), Austria (126 Euros in June), and the United States (517 Euros in August). May was also favorable for Greece (184 Euro), while September offered excellent opportunities for Spain (121 Euros), Morocco (193 Euros), Tunisia (171 Euros), Egypt (197 Euros), and Türkiye (208 Euros).
Digital tools and alerts allow you to lock in the best airfares
The Best Days to Book Flights
According to eDreams data, the lowest prices follow a trend from weekend lungo:
The Best Time to Block the Rate
The early hours of the morning are strategic for all destinations:
Furthermore, in January, the cheaper rates were also recorded in the evening (8:00 pm, 140 Euros) and during the lunch break (1:00–2:00 pm, 150–159 Euros).
How Much Down Payment is Needed to Save
L’advance booking allows you to optimize costs:
Some medium and short-haul destinations also benefit from the advance payment: France (140 Euros) and Egypt (244 Euros) over 90 days. For those who book at the last minute, 16–30 days before departure, it was possible to save on Tunisia (195 Euros).
Read more about the best times to book your flights and plan your trips for 2026 Here