The 7 best travel dates for the 2025 holiday season — and the 5 worst

Every November, America plays its favorite seasonal sport: complaining about airfare. Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s, travelers cram the skies in a collective test of patience and pricing algorithms.

The good news? The chaos is predictable. Every year, the data repeats the same truth: fly when no one else wants to. The people who treat travel like a puzzle, not a punishment, win the holidays.

So before you hit “book,” here’s the cheat sheet for when to fly, and when to stay firmly on the ground.

According to The Independent, Thanksgiving Day itself (Nov. 27) and the Friday after (Nov. 28) offer the best fares and calmest airports. While everyone else is mid–stuffing coma, you’ll be breezing through security with time for pie on arrival. Bonus: no middle-seat turkey debates.

If you must travel earlier, Monday (24th) or Tuesday (25th) still beat the midweek crush. NerdWallet notes that fares dip slightly just before the real surge begins. It’s the perfect window for planners who like smugness as a carry-on.

For Hanukkah (Dec. 15–22), NerdWallet data shows the first and last days are best for price and sanity. Early-week flights (Monday or Tuesday) tend to stay reasonable, while weekend travel spikes as family gatherings start. Light the menorah and still keep your budget intact.