Best Time to Travel for Christmas 2024 with OuiStars Luxury Chauffeur

If you don’t mind spending part of your holiday in transit, flying on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve can be a great way to avoid the rush during the last two weeks of the year. Plus, imagine the story you’ll have later: “Oh, I spent my Christmas at 30,000 feet, no big deal.”

While airport traffic tends to spike in the days leading up to and following the holiday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day generally have fewer travelers. In fact, last year, there were 31% more travelers flying on the day after Christmas compared to Christmas Day itself.

So, if you’re looking for a peaceful flight, Christmas Day is the ideal choice. For return flights, the further you schedule your trip away from Christmas Day, the better. In 2023, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day turned out to be the least crowded days for post-Christmas travel.

In summary, the least busy days for traveling during Christmas 2024 are:

• December 25 (Christmas Day)
• December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Best Days to Travel Before and After Christmas 2024

To ensure a smooth journey, consider extending your holiday by leaving a bit earlier or coming back a bit later. Recent data indicates that the following are the least crowded days for flying in the week before and after Christmas:

Best Days to Fly Before Christmas 2024:

• December 19
• December 18

Best Days to Fly After Christmas 2024:

• January 1 (New Year’s Day)
• December 31 (New Year’s Eve)

Worst Days to Travel for Christmas 2024

The weekend right before Christmas is when most people are rushing to their holiday destinations. To avoid the largest crowds and longest security lines, it’s best not to fly on these dates:

• Friday, December 20
• Saturday, December 21
• Sunday, December 22

Last year, Friday, December 22, was the busiest travel day leading up to Christmas, with 2.8 million travelers passing through TSA. The busy season is likely to extend through December 29 as people return from Christmas celebrations and prepare for New Year’s.

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights for Christmas 2024

Best Time to Book Domestic Flights

For flights within the U.S., the lowest fares are typically found 38 days before departure. Good deals are usually available 21–52 days ahead of time.

Best Time to Book International Flights

On average, the best deals for international flights are found 101 days before departure. Solid options are generally available 50 days or more ahead of time, but prices tend to rise steadily as the departure date approaches.

Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly for Christmas 2024

Typically, the cheapest days to fly are Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, with prices up to 13% lower than weekend travel. For domestic flights, savings can reach as high as 20%.

If you’re flexible with your travel plans, choosing flights with layovers can also help you save more. Although it might mean an extra hour in an airport terminal, non-stop flights tend to be 25% more expensive. Consider it a budget-friendly adventure!

Make Your Christmas Travel More Comfortable with OuiStars Luxury Chauffeur

If you’d like to make your holiday travels even more relaxing, consider replacing short-haul flights with a ride from OuiStars Luxury Chauffeur. Choose from our range of high-quality vehicles—including sedans, SUVs, and vans—to suit your needs and preferences. All of our rides are carbon offset, ensuring a responsible choice for your travel footprint. Simply pick the time that works best for you, and let our professional chauffeurs handle the rest. And if your plans change? No problem—you can modify or cancel any pre-booked ride for free up to 1 hour before your scheduled pickup.