The Best Time to Book Flights, Hotels & Rental Cars | 2025

Discover the best times to book flights, accommodations, and activities for your trip. Follow this step-by-step timeline to save money, reduce stress, and secure the perfect travel experience. Start planning your 2025 adventures today!

Liv Coning

Marketing Lead

The Best Time to Book Flights, Hotels & Rental Cars | 2025

Dec 06 2024

The Best Time to Book Travel: A Comprehensive Timeline

Planning a trip is exciting, but can also be stressful. Knowing when to book various aspects of your travel can save you money and reduce stress. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best times to book different elements of your trip, from 8 months out to just 2 weeks before departure.

January through March is peak season for travel planning and booking, as many people start organizing their vacations for the upcoming year. If you're thinking about travel in 2025, now is an excellent time to start planning. During these months, you'll find:

Early bird discounts and promotions from airlines and hotels
Better availability for popular destinations and accommodations
More flexible payment options and booking terms

By planning your 2025 travels during this prime booking season, you'll have the best selection of options and potentially save money on your trips.

8 Months Before Your Trip

At this stage, you're in the early planning phase. Here's what you should focus on:

Research and Choose Your Destination

Start exploring potential destinations and narrow down your options.

Here are five key questions to ask yourself when choosing a destination:

What's my budget? Consider not just flights and hotels, but also daily expenses, activities, and exchange rates.
What kind of experience am I seeking? Whether it's adventure, relaxation, culture, or a mix, your desired experience should guide your choice.
When can I travel? Consider seasonal weather patterns, peak tourist seasons, and local events or festivals.
How long can I stay? Match your destination to your available time, considering travel time and jet lag recovery.
What are my non-negotiables? Think about safety, accessibility, language barriers, and any specific requirements you have.

Looking ahead to 2025, these destinations are trending:

Georgia: With its rich wine culture, stunning mountain landscapes, and growing tourism infrastructure, this Caucasus nation is becoming a hotspot for adventurous travelers.
Slovenia: Emerging as Europe's hidden gem for eco-tourism, featuring pristine lakes, mountains, and sustainable initiatives.
Namibia: Growing interest in its unique desert landscapes, wildlife conservation, and luxury eco-lodges.
Vietnam: New infrastructure developments and emerging destinations beyond the traditional tourist trail are drawing more visitors.
Portugal's Azores: These Atlantic islands are gaining recognition for sustainable tourism and unique volcanic landscapes.

Pro tip: Consider shoulder season travel to these trending destinations to avoid crowds while still enjoying favorable weather conditions.

Check Passport Validity

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date.

If your passport is expiring or has less than six months validity:

Apply for renewal as soon as possible - processing times can take 6-8 weeks for routine service
Consider expedited service if needed (2-3 weeks processing) for an additional fee
Have backup travel documents and copies of your passport application in case of delays
Check if your destination requires a certain number of empty passport pages

Pro tip: Some countries may deny entry if your passport expires within 6 months of your visit, even if it's valid during your actual stay. Always verify the specific passport requirements for your destination country.

Begin Monitoring Flight Prices

Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track flight prices and identify trends.

Here are some tips for monitoring flight prices effectively:

Set price alerts for multiple dates to get a sense of price fluctuations
Compare prices across different days of the week - midweek flights often cost less
Consider nearby airports as departure or arrival points for potential savings

Pro tip: Flight prices typically fluctuate based on demand, so being flexible with your travel dates by a few days can help you find better deals.

6 Months Before Your Trip

Book International Flights

For international travel, especially during peak seasons, booking around 6 months in advance often yields the best prices.

Here are some of the most reliable flight booking websites to compare prices:

Google Flights: Offers powerful search tools, price tracking, and fare calendars to help you find the best deals across multiple airlines.
Skyscanner: Known for comprehensive flight searches, including budget airlines, and excellent price comparison features across different dates.
Momondo: Features a powerful metasearch engine that often finds unique routing options and competitive prices not shown on other platforms.

Pro tip: Check prices across multiple sites and consider setting up price alerts to track fare changes.

Reserve Accommodations

If you're traveling to a highly sought-after location or during peak season, book your accommodations now to ensure availability.

Thatch's marketplace features thousands of guides with vetted hotel recommendations from local experts who know their destinations inside and out.

You can also hire a local expert to help find the perfect hotel for your needs. Here's how:

Search your destination on Thatch
Browse the local experts until you find one that matches your vibe
See what kind of services they offer, or shoot them a quick email to discuss your accommodation needs and preferences

Local experts can help you find hidden gems, negotiate rates in the local language, and ensure you book accommodations that truly match your travel style and budget.

Research Visa Requirements

Some countries have lengthy visa processing times that can take several weeks or even months. Research the specific requirements and processing times for your destination country well in advance.

Here are some key visa considerations:

Check if you need a tourist visa or special permits for your destination
Verify if you need proof of onward travel or hotel bookings for visa applications
Ensure you have enough blank pages in your passport for visa stamps
Keep digital copies of all visa documentation and application receipts

Consider using a visa processing service if you're traveling to a country with complex visa requirements or if you need expedited processing.

3 Months Before Your Trip

At this point, your trip is starting to take shape:

Book Domestic Flights

For travel within your country, booking about 3 months out often provides good deals.

Finalize Accommodations

If you haven't already, book your hotels or other lodging.

Plan Activities and Excursions

Research and book popular tours or activities that might sell out.

Thatch's marketplace offers access to travel guides and local experts who can recommend and help book authentic excursions and activities that match your interests.

Browse destination guides created by local experts to discover unique experiences and hidden gems or connect directly with local experts who can recommend activities based on your interests and travel style!

1 Month Before Your Trip

The countdown begins! Here's what to focus on:

Book Rental Cars

If you need a rental car, now is a good time to reserve one.

Here are some reliable international car rental booking sites to consider:

Kayak: Excellent comparison tool that searches multiple rental companies at once, often finding the best deals across different providers.
Rentalcars.com: Part of Booking.com, offers a vast network of rental locations worldwide and includes helpful user reviews and ratings.
Expedia: Known for competitive prices and the ability to bundle with flights and hotels for better deals. Their rewards program can offer additional savings.
Auto Europe: Specializes in European car rentals with excellent customer service and competitive rates for European destinations.

Pro tip: Always compare prices across multiple sites and check if your credit card offers rental car insurance coverage before purchasing additional insurance.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Consider buying travel insurance to protect your trip investment.

Here are some of the most comprehensive travel insurance providers to consider:

Faye: A newer travel insurance provider known for their user-friendly digital experience and comprehensive coverage including medical evacuation and 24/7 assistance. They offer flexible plans that can be customized to your specific travel needs.
World Nomads: Known for excellent coverage for adventure activities and flexibility to purchase while already traveling. They offer comprehensive medical coverage and gear protection.
Allianz Travel Insurance: Offers multiple plan tiers and is backed by a reputable global company. Their policies typically include good medical coverage and trip cancellation benefits.

Always compare policies and read the fine print to ensure you're getting coverage that matches your specific travel needs and destination requirements.

Make Dining Reservations

If there are specific restaurants you want to try, make reservations, especially for popular establishments.

Looking for the best dining spots at your destination? Thatch's marketplace has thousands of guides filled with recommendations from local experts.

Some local experts are even willing to make reservations, handling communication in the local language. Here's how:

Search your destination on Thatch
Browse the local experts until you find one that matches your vibe
See what kind of services they offer, or shoot them a quick email seeing if they’d be able to recommend and make reservations in the local language

This service is particularly valuable when traveling to destinations where language barriers might make securing reservations challenging, or when seeking authentic local experiences off the typical tourist path.

2 Weeks Before Your Trip

You're in the home stretch! Here are some final steps:

Online Check-in

Many airlines allow you to check in online 24 hours to 2 weeks before your flight.

Airport Transfers

Arrange your transportation from the airport to your accommodation. Depending on your budget, this may involve a taxi, private shuttle, ride share, or public transportation.

Travel Apps

Get any apps you might need for your trip, such as language translators, maps, or local transportation apps.

Here are some must-have travel apps to enhance your trip experience:

Thatch: A comprehensive travel planning app that helps you discover unique experiences, organize your itinerary, and connect with local experts.
Google Maps: Essential for navigation, offline maps, and discovering local points of interest.
XE Currency: Real-time currency conversion to help you manage your budget abroad.
WhatsApp: Stay connected with friends and family, and communicate with local contacts internationally.
AccuWeather: Get accurate weather forecasts to plan your daily activities.

Download these apps and any necessary offline content before your departure.

Final Thoughts

Planning your travel well in advance not only helps you secure better deals but also reduces stress and allows you to focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure.

Remember these key takeaways:

Start planning 8 months ahead for the best options and prices
Book international flights around 6 months before departure
Secure domestic travel arrangements 3 months in advance
Take care of final details like insurance and transfers in the last month

While this timeline serves as a general guide, remain flexible and adjust it based on your specific destination, season, and type of travel. The most important thing is to stay organized and enjoy the planning process as much as the journey itself.

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