Best and Worst Times to Travel for Christmas 2024

by Ellie Smith / November 11, 2024
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Get insights on the best and worst times to travel during Christmas 2024 to plan a stress-free festive journey.

two women in Christmas costume hugging each other
Capturing the magic of Christmas lights.

Holiday travel is often synonymous with crowded airports, long lines, and the chaos of last-minute planning. But it doesn’t always have to be this way. By taking a closer look at historical travel data and understanding the patterns of Christmas travelers, you can dodge the busiest crowds and make your festive journey as stress-free as possible.

Table of Contents

Best Time to Travel for Christmas 2024

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, think of the bragging rights—“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 according to TSA data there were 31% more travelers flying on the day after Christmas compared to Christmas Day itself last year. 

So, if you want some peace and quiet on your flight (well, as quiet as an airplane can get), Christmas Day is the way to go. For return flights, the further away you can schedule your trip 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. 

a small gnome surrounded by Christmas lights

So, to put it shortly, the least busy days for traveling during Christmas 2024 are:

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

Best Days to Travel for Christmas 2024

As mentioned, to have the smoothest trip, consider extending your holiday by leaving a bit earlier or coming back a bit later. Recent data shows that the following are the least crowded days for flying in the week before and after Christmas:

Best Dates to Fly Before Christmas 2024

  • December 19
  • December 18

Best Dates 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 flocking to their holiday destinations. To avoid the biggest crowds (and the longest security lines), it’s best not to fly during these dates:

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

In 2023, Friday, December 22 was the busiest air travel day in the week leading up to Christmas, with 2.8 million travelers passing through TSA security. The busy season will likely extend through December 29, as people return from Christmas celebrations and prepare for New Year’s. Last year, four of the six forecasted busiest days for air travel were between December 26 and 29, according to TSA data projections. 

Tips for Finding Cheap Flights for Christmas 2024

Best Time to Book Domestic Flights for Christmas

For domestic trips 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 for Christmas

On average, the best deals are found 101 days before departure—because nothing says “holiday spirit” like planning three months in advance. Solid options are generally available 50 days or more ahead of time, but fair warning: prices tend to rise steadily as you get closer, like they know you’ve started to sweat the details.

Cheapest Days of the Week to Fly for Christmas 2024

The cheapest days to fly are typically Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, which are 13% cheaper than traveling on the weekend. For domestic flights, the savings can be even larger—up to 20%.

Lastly, if you’re flexible with your travel plans, choosing flights with layovers can help you save even more. Sure, you might spend an extra hour bonding with an airport terminal, but hey, nonstop flights tend to be 25% more expensive. Think of it as a budget-friendly adventure!

The Best Way to Deal with Christmas Traffic

A picture of a chauffeur opening a car door for a guest.
Experience the comfort of a traditional chauffeur service with the convenience of booking a ride within minutes through Blacklane. Image credit: Blacklane

We’ve shared some useful planning tips for avoiding Christmas chaos. But if you want to make your holiday travels even more relaxing, why not replace your short-haul flight with a Blacklane ride? Choose from our range of high-quality vehicles—including sedans, SUVs, and vans—to suit your needs and preferences. All 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 take care of 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.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ellie Smith
Ellie is an avid traveler, writer, and adventurer, with a passion for exploring the world and sharing her experiences through storytelling. Working for global chauffeur company Blacklane and having lived in cities like Dubai and Berlin, she has gained valuable first-hand experience in uncovering hidden gems worldwide.