How far out should you book your next trip?
As the wet and cloudy winter drags on here in the Midwest, it is near impossible not to daydream about sunny shores and the thrill of exploring a new city. So, when should you book your next trip? Well, we have the most honest answer for you: it depends. Truly, the right time to book depends on where you want to go and what type of travel you’re interested in. We’ve broken it down for you. Whether you’re dreaming of a cruise or spontaneous budget travel, read on for some tips and tricks to help you hit the booking sweet spot.
Domestic Travel
From coast to coast, the United States has so much to offer. Luckily, because there is far less to worry about in regard to passports and visas, planning domestic trips can be fairly quick and easy.
According to Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), it is best to book domestic flights one to three months in advance of departure. US airlines tend to open booking about a year out, but booking too early or too late may leave you paying more. The best option for finding deals on flights is setting flight alerts with Google Flights, Skyscanner, or another flight tracking site. This way, you will be notified when prices drop and can take advantage of the best deals. Although it has been said time and again that booking on Tuesdays or waiting until the last minute could score you major savings, these are not guarantees. Flight prices change constantly simply based on real-time demand.
Booking accommodations in domestic destinations is also usually straightforward. We recommend booking flights first to ensure you know when you will be arriving and departing and then booking accommodations based on those times. Similar to flights, price alerts can be set for lodging on many sites.
For both flights and lodging, always keep in mind your travel destinations and dates. These are just general recommendations, however you may want to plan closer to four to six months in advance for destinations such as Hawaii and Alaska or if you plan to travel for a special event such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park
Additionally, the National Parks have become one of the top destinations for travelers within the US. After seeing a massive increase in traffic surrounding the COVID pandemic, many parks have implemented reservation systems to manage visitor experience and landscape preservation. Generally, parks requiring reservations will have some slots available about three months in advance, with some additional slots available the day before. If you are planning a national park trip this year, check out the National Parks Experience’s detailed blog post for planning tips, reservation windows, and important park information. Parks requiring advance reservations in 2024 include: Acadia National Park, Arches National Park, Glacier National Park, Haleakalā National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Redwood National and State Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.
International Travel
International travel doesn’t need to be complicated, it just requires proper planning. The very first order of business when traveling internationally, even before booking flights and accommodations, should always be obtaining proper documentation. Passports are required for US citizens outside of the US and its territories. Routine passports currently have a processing time of six to eight weeks, not including mailing time. So, it is best to apply for a passport no less than three months ahead of international travel or as soon as possible to ensure it arrives on time. Additionally, some countries require visitor visas, vaccinations, or both. Check out the US Department of State’s “Learn About Your Destination” search tool for a detailed list of requirements for your destination. Visa processing times vary, so check on them as soon as a travel plan takes shape.
Just like domestic flights, prices for international flights can change at any time based on demand. Going suggests booking two to eight months in advance. It is not a guaranteed rule, but, after analyzing 2022 data from the booking app Hopper, NerdWallet found that Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be the best days to fly internationally. Again, setting price alerts is the best way to ensure you are getting the best deal.
When booking international accommodations, we still recommend doing this after your flights are booked so you are able to plan around arrival and departure times. Travel and Leisure suggests booking lodging for popular destinations like the Caribbean two to three months before your trip, however, if you are willing to take the risk, some hotels and resorts offer last minute deals about two weeks out. If you plan to stay at a specialty Airbnb or hotel, especially during peak travel seasons or holidays, always book as soon as possible.
Cruises
As with all types of travel, the best time to book a cruise depends on where you want to go, but there are specific seasons to keep in mind. In the cruising industry, January and February mark “wave season,” or the period of time when companies release their cruise dates for the year and aim to base load their ships, making good deals available to travelers like you. Our partner, AmaWaterways, is among cruise companies offering amazing wave season savings right now, with Summer Triple Savings offers available on select European cruises booked before March 31, 2024. Additionally, many cruise companies offer savings on holidays such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Labor Day. We recommend signing up for newsletters and checking in on “Special Offer” pages from your favorite companies to keep track of the best times to book.
Aside from booking based on price, it is also important to consider your group size and rooming preferences when planning a cruise. If you are traveling with a group or are more focused on specific room upgrades than pricing, it is recommended to book as soon as possible. Many cruise operators release their sailing dates up to two years in advance, so stay diligent if there is something specific you are looking for.
Keep in mind, the cost and ease of cruising varies widely based on season. The winter holiday season tends to be the busiest and most expensive while spring break tends to be slower and more affordable.
All-Inclusive
Our recommendations for planning an all-inclusive trip are similar to those for cruises. October and November tend to be great times to book, as prices generally stay lower before snowbirds flock to booking sites in December. In general, it is a good idea to book an all-inclusive six months ahead of time if you plan to travel during peak seasons like spring break and winter holidays. In the off season, if you are willing to travel on a whim, many resorts will host last minute flash sales. Sign up for newsletters and keep an eye on “Special Offer” pages for last minute deals.
The view at the entrance to Sandals Royal Curacao
For cruising and all-inclusives, it may be best to book with a travel specialist. As partners of cruise lines and resorts, they have insider knowledge of deals and packages, such as flight and stay bundles, that can save you some extra cash. Our travel specialists at SoulVenture Travels have partnerships throughout the travel industry and can find you the best deals on your next trip.
Budget Travel
Flexibility is the number one rule of planning a trip on a budget. Booking either a year ahead of time or two weeks before you take off may be the best option, it just depends. Luckily, in the age of the Internet, there are countless tools available for budget travelers to decide which option is best.
Our favorite budget flight search engine, Skyscanner, has an amazing feature that allows you to search for flights departing from your desired airport to anywhere during flexible time frames. This allows you to find the most affordable destinations any time of year. As we mentioned before, signing up for newsletters is also a great way to get alerts from cruise lines, resorts, hotels, airlines and more, allowing you to take advantage of flash sales. Additionally, Hostelworld is our favorite site for finding affordable hostels worldwide. They even offer search tools to help you find hostels with flexible cancellation policies just in case your plans change, allowing you to book early while remaining flexible.
There are countless travel sites, newsletters, and chat rooms that provide more detailed information on when and where to travel on a budget, our favorite being Nomadic Matt. In general though, being willing to flex your travel dates and book on a whim will get you the best results as a budget traveler.
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the best time to book your next trip, these tips and tricks will no doubt come in handy. Our monthly newsletters and social media pages are also great places to find the latest deals and travel information. Most importantly, never hesitate to reach out to one of our travel specialists at SoulVenture Travels - let us get you on your next adventure!