"The Cheapest Time to Buy Airline Tickets Is 18?29 Days Before Departure"... Pro Tips Only Experts Know [Jumeoni Talk]

The More You Know, the Cheaper It Gets... When Is the "Golden Time" for Airline Tickets?
Prices Vary by Booking and Departure Day
Check Refund Conditions and Other Details Carefully Before Purchase

Editor's NoteWe are living in a time when a single serving of samgyeopsal costs 20,000 won and a bowl of jajangmyeon is 7,500 won. The 2024 Consumer Price Index stands at 114.18 (2020=100), and in 2025, the burden on consumers' shopping baskets has also grown due to persistent high inflation. Through the "Jumeoni Talk" (Week+Money+Talk) series, we aim to share stories of consumption closely tied to our wallets, as prices fluctuate constantly.

With the summer vacation season approaching and demand for overseas travel rising rapidly, there is growing interest in the golden time to purchase airline tickets at the lowest possible price. Since airline tickets account for a significant portion of the travel budget, understanding the best booking strategies and timing can help save a considerable amount of money.

"Booking on Sunday, Departing on Thursday Is Cheapest"

According to the "Air Hacks 2025" report, compiled by the online travel agency Expedia and the airline ticketing specialist ARC based on big data from airline ticket sales, airline tickets are cheapest when booked on Sundays. In terms of booking days, Friday is the most expensive, while booking on Sunday can save up to 13% compared to Friday. The reason Friday bookings are the priciest is that ticket searches increase ahead of the weekend, causing prices to rise.

The report also highlights notable differences in ticket prices depending on the day of departure. It found that Thursday departures are the cheapest, while Sunday departures are the most expensive. Simply choosing the right day to depart can reduce costs by up to 8%. Additionally, for those seeking a more relaxed trip, Tuesday departures are ideal, as they tend to be less crowded. In fact, big data on ticket sales from January to October last year showed that Tuesday was the least busy day of the week for departures. In short, if price is your top priority, departing on Thursday is the smartest strategy, while those looking to avoid crowds should consider flying on Tuesday.

The common belief that "the earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket" has also been found to be inaccurate. Expedia reports that the best time to purchase international airline tickets at the lowest price is 18 to 29 days before departure. The report states, "It's not always necessary to book several months in advance to get a good deal," and "Booking right before departure, especially on the morning of the flight, is also not recommended. Data shows this approach is not efficient at all." The analysis suggests that targeting the 'optimal window'?neither too early nor too late?is more effective.

Consider Connecting Flights and Last-Minute Deals

Interest is growing in ways to purchase airline tickets cheaply ahead of the summer vacation season. Photo by Pixabay

Another way to lower ticket costs is by using connecting flights. While travel time increases compared to direct flights, the price drops significantly. For example, for the Incheon?London route, tickets with layovers in places like Frankfurt, Germany or Guangzhou, China, are much cheaper than direct flights. However, with connecting flights, long layovers can be physically taxing, while very short layovers risk missing your connection, so it's crucial to check these details in advance.

'Last-minute tickets' are also a noteworthy savings strategy. These are seats that travel agencies have secured in advance by paying airlines, and then sell at special prices when the departure date is near and the seats remain unsold. Travel agencies predict demand and sign contracts for tickets with airlines in advance, but as the departure date approaches, unsold seats can result in losses, so they are often sold at discounted rates.

However, buying tickets solely based on low prices can lead to problems. This is because high fees are often charged for changes or cancellations. In particular, "early bird" or "last-minute" tickets usually have much stricter refund and change policies than standard fares, even for the same route. Therefore, when purchasing tickets, it is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions, refund policies, and reservation details. Also, since checked baggage is often not included, you should check each airline's baggage policy as well.

Meanwhile, for Jeju Island, one of the most popular domestic destinations, the cheapest periods for airline tickets are typically December to March, July, and September, when tourist demand is relatively low. Tickets for flights departing between Tuesday and Thursday to Jeju also tend to be more affordable. Jo Kangcheol, head of the Price Trends Team at the Bank of Korea, wrote in a recent contribution to the "Bank of Korea News" that "to find cheap tickets to Jeju, travelers should consider which seasons, days of the week, and times of day have the highest price elasticity of demand from the perspective of tourists."