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The Vacationer • Air Travel • Air Travel Guides

Best & Worst Days to Fly & Travel for the Holidays – Christmas & New Year’s 2024

As seen in our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey , 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering for Christmas this year.

There are a limited number of flights available for Christmas and New Year’s, so it is important to book as early as possible for the best prices (ideally you have already booked your holiday travel). Additionally, some days are much better than others to fly when it comes to crowds and cost. This guide will detail how far in advance to book holiday travel as well as the best and worst days to fly.

Table of Contents

How Far in Advance to Book Holiday Travel

Ideally, you should book your Thanksgiving and Christmas flights many months in advance. As a rule, we suggest booking domestic flights at least one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least two to eight months in advance, but the earlier the better. For the holidays, you should book even earlier if possible to guarantee a desirable route, time, seat, and price.

With Thanksgiving over, here are our recommended cutoff dates for booking Christmas flights for the 2023 holiday season.

Christmas (book before Thanksgiving)

The best deals on Christmas flights are usually available through late August and early September . If possible, book even earlier in June or July. At the latest, you should book by Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If it is December and you still do not have a flight, you should expect to pay a premium. Additionally, you will likely only have undesirable flight times to choose from with the potential for one or more connections. Here is a ranking of our recommended booking times.

• June, July, and August  – Best combination of inventory and cheap prices
• Early through Middle September  – Still a great time
• Early October  – Google’s recommendation. Cheap prices but lower inventory
• Thanksgiving  – Book Christmas flights by Thanksgiving at the latest
• December  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Christmas Flights – Best & Worst Times

Thanksgiving (book before Halloween)

I recommend booking your Thanksgiving flight by late August or early September for the best price. If possible, book in June or July. Book international flights even earlier. If you wait too long, you should aim to book by Halloween at the latest. While it is possible to get a decent deal after Halloween, your chances dramatically decrease. Your odds of finding a desirable flight time also go down when booking after Halloween. Here is a ranking of our recommended times.

• Early October  – Deals are still available but desirable flights may be limited
• Halloween  – Book Thanksgiving flights by Halloween at the latest
• November  – High prices and poor flights (connections, middle seats, bad times, etc.)

Further Reading: When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Best & Worst Times

Best & Worst Days to Fly for the Holidays

Being on a Thursday every year, the best and worst days to fly for Thanksgiving are predictable. Christmas is a little more difficult since it does not fall on the same day of the week every year. Here are the days you should target and the days you should avoid this holiday season. To come up with our best and worst dates forecast, we sampled hundreds of flight prices around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our sample included numerous departure and arrival cities around the United States.

Christmas (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Christmas Travel Survey shows 50.44% of American adults plan to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. Since Christmas falls on a different day every year, the best days to fly change. Other things such as school and business closures affect the dates too. Christmas can fall on a weekend (as it did in 2022), which further complicates things. Generally, the worst day to fly for Christmas is December 23, but that is not a hard rule.

Best Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The earlier you depart the week before Christmas the better. Americans will look to get a few days of work in before flying out. If possible, fly on Monday, December 18, or Tuesday, December 19. Sunday, December 17 is even better if you can swing it. Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds too, but you may not want to travel on a holiday.

Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many people will fly home the day after. Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27 will be popular travel days, so try and wait until Thursday or Friday.

Worst Christmas Travel Dates for 2023

The three days before Christmas Eve, the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, are going to be busy travel days. I recommend avoiding them and departing earlier in the week if you can.

Avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday after Christmas for your return flight. Despite being the day after Christmas, many people will fly home on Tuesday or Wednesday so they can return to work for a few days before the weekend.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Travel Tips

We recommend flying out for New Year’s on Thursday, December 28 or Friday, December 29. Fly home on Wednesday January 3 or Thursday January 4. While it is not ideal, flying out on the night of New Year’s Eve or the morning of New Year’s Day is generally cheap. Unfortunately, you will probably miss New Year’s Eve activities if you opt for an evening flight. An early New Year’s Day flight is not optimal either unless you can go bed very early on New Year’s Eve.

Avoid flying out on Saturday, December 30 and the morning of December 31.

Thanksgiving (best departure and return dates)

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Travel Survey shows more than 45.21% of American adults intend to travel to a vacation destination or holiday gathering last year. That means tens of millions of people will fight over seats for a very limited number of flights.

Best Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

As the table shows, you want to depart early during the week. If possible, Sunday is even better than Monday. While not ideal, Thanksgiving Day is a great day to fly . Black Friday is also a good day to fly if you can swing a shorter trip.

Most people return home the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so aim to fly back on the Friday or Monday after Turkey Day. If you can wait another day, Tuesday is even better than Monday.

Worst Thanksgiving Travel Dates for 2023

Avoid the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at all costs. It is one of the most popular days of the year to fly, and it is expensive. Additionally, airports are always packed, so it is an extra stressful experience.

Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving for your return flight. Most people fly that day to get home before the workweek. I recommend flying home on Friday or Monday or Tuesday.

Average Holiday Flight Prices for 2023 – Thanksgiving ($300) and Christmas ($400)

With November here, flight prices are increasing for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect to pay on average $300 for a roundtrip Flight for Thanksgiving. For Christmas, expect to pay on average $400 for a roundtrip flight.

Those prices will vary by your destination and dates of travel, so we recommend doing your homework before booking. If possible, travel on our recommended days and avoid the worst days.

We’ve found many domestic Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $200. We’ve also found various international Thanksgiving and Christmas flights for under $500.

Flexibility is the key to finding the absolute cheapest holiday flights. Use the Google Flights Explore map to find the best flight deals from your home airport or city around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Travel is Recovering for the 2023 Holiday Season

On most days, hundreds of thousands more travelers are going through TSA checkpoints compared to the same day as last year. For 2023, we expect holiday travel numbers to resemble or surpass 2019, which is the most recent pre-pandemic year.

Further Reading: What to Do if Your Airline Cancels or Delays Your Flight and How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations

Other Tips For Scoring a Cheap Holiday Flight Deal

Check out our guide to finding and booking cheap flights for additional tips. A few of the major tips may not be applicable with holiday travel (being very flexible on dates and destinations), but other guidelines can help. Here are a few of them.

• Do: Start With Google Flights
• Do: Be Open to Different Nearby Departure and Arrival Airports
• Do: Be Open to All Airlines
• Do: Be Open to Flights With Connections
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Clearing Cookies
• Don’t: Waste Your Time Browsing in Incognito

Additionally, our best websites to book cheap flights guide and top airline credit cards tutorial can help you save even more money.

Further Reading: Clearing Cookies or Searching Incognito Does Not Show Cheaper Flight Prices

The best days to fly for Thanksgiving are the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The worst day to fly for Thanksgiving is the Wednesday before.

The best days are the Friday, Monday, and Tuesday after Turkey Day. The worst day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

It is, but it is not ideal for most people.

It is, but most people do not want to fly home on the day after Thanksgiving.

Book by the middle of September at the latest for the best price, but you should ideally book earlier. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Halloween to book.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days before Christmas Eve.

Avoid the two days before Christmas Eve.

It depends since Christmas is on a different day each year. Shoot for at least a few days after Christmas.

Book by the middle of September for the best price. Book even earlier for international flights. Do not wait until after Thanksgiving to book.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Ideally, you have already booked your 2023 holiday travel. If you have not done so already, there is still time to get a deal, but you need to move quickly. Shoot for the dates discussed in the article and avoid the bad ones. After the holidays are over, follow our best days of the week to fly and our best day of the week to book flights guides.

By Phil Dengler

In addition to being a co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler is also the head of editorial and marketing. Previously, he ran a popular holiday deals website where he was a trusted source for all things Black Friday. With The Vacationer, Phil combines his knowledge of deals with his love of travel to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 — 43%+ to Travel; 66%+ Say Inflation is Affecting Plans; 29% to Spend $501+ on Travel; Cranberry Sauce Most Hated Food

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

When to Book Christmas Flights – Travel Guide & Tips for 2024

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Ultimate Guide to the Best And Worst Days to Fly & Book Flights

Jeff Brownson

Former Content Contributor

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Cash Tickets vs. Award Seats

Holidays and school breaks, large festivals and sporting events, shoulder seasons, the best days of the week to fly, the worst days of the week to fly, the rules don’t always apply, the best day of the week to book flights, help with researching prices, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

No matter where I am or who I am with, the conversation eventually turns to travel. It’s what I’m passionate about, it’s what I know the most about, and it’s what I do for a living. Travel is also something that most people would like to do more.

When talking with friends and relatives, or even with new acquaintances, certain questions come up again and again.

How do you travel so much? How do you travel for so little money? When is the best time to travel for less? How do I save money on flights?

The first two are easy to answer. I make travel a priority in my life and use miles and points to cover as much of the cost as possible.

When it comes to the last two questions, the answers get  a bit more complicated. That’s what we are going to take a look at today.

Below, we will go over the best and worst times of the year to fly, the best and worst days of the week to fly, and the best times to book your flights. By the end of this post, you should understand how to save a bit of money when booking your flights, so you have more to spend at your destination.

When we talk about saving on your flights, most people think only about cash tickets. This is, however, a site all about using points to travel, so we should probably talk about saving points, too.

Fortunately, most of the time, the two go hand in hand. The times of year and days of the week when you will find lower prices often match up with the days you are more likely to find low-level award seats.

Because of this, we will be using examples from both cash bookings and points bookings in our explanations below. We may show cash prices or award availability calendars, but when we talk about saving at certain times, we are generally talking about both.

The Worst Times of the Year to Fly

You can probably guess the worst times of the year to fly. The best times to fly are the days with less demand for the seats, so that means the worst times of the year to fly are the times with the most demand.

These generally include the days around holidays or festivals (in the U.S. or at the destination), sporting events, and any time kids are out of school. Sometimes, holidays and time off from school line up. Those are typically the worst times to fly.

Of course, you may not always have a choice in when you travel. Maybe you have kids in school; perhaps you work at a school, maybe you only get holidays off from work.

If that’s the case, there are a few things you can try to make paying for your flights less painful. For example, try flying to less popular destinations. Instead of a beach trip in January, check out a city you’ve never seen before. You can also try varying your flight dates by a day or two. By taking an extra day off or giving up a day of your trip, you might be able to save significantly.

To help you know when you may need to try these techniques, below are some examples of the worst times of the year to fly, when you will almost definitely find higher airfares and fewer award seats.

Carnival/Mardi Gras

Significant celebrations in New Orleans , Rio de Janeiro, and many other Caribbean and Central and South American countries occur for Carnival and Mardi Gras. People travel from surrounding areas to celebrate before the beginning of Lent. Celebrations last up to two weeks or more before but typically are the biggest and most crowded the weekend and days before Ash Wednesday.

Oktoberfest

Although smaller festivals happen all over the world, Munich is the place where millions of visitors come together between the end of September and the beginning of October for this massive carnival/fair/beer drinking event. People come from all over the world, so expect higher fares during this time to Munich and surrounding cities.

Christmas markets

In Europe, the Christmas markets take place from the beginning of September up until the beginning of January, with dates varying depending on the location. Many Americans fly over for a long weekend just to go to the markets, so you can expect higher fares especially around the weekends during this season.

Every 2 years, alternating between Winter and Summer Games, the Olympics take place in a different country each time. If you plan to attend, your best bet is to get your flight as soon as possible (especially for award seats) or fly into a neighboring city and take a train or drive to the host city.

Every 4 years and in a different country each time, the World Cup is one of the most significant worldwide sporting events. It typically takes place from the middle of June to the middle of July with schedules varying slightly.

Qatar is hosting the 2022 World Cup, and due to the country’s climate, will take place from November to December. Expect fares to be elevated from a few days before the first games until a few days after the final, as fans fly from city to city and back to their homes.

Taking place on the first Sunday in February, the Super Bowl is one of the most significant sporting events in the United States. Hosted in a different city each year, you can expect significantly higher airfares to the host city for the few days before the game and away from the host city for the few days after the game.

World Series

Two cities host the World Series, those of the teams playing. Since no one knows what two cities those will be until the previous round of the playoffs is complete, airfares can shoot up quickly as soon as the final teams are confirmed. If you want to see your team, it might be in your best interest to speculatively book some refundable tickets before the final teams are known. If your team doesn’t make it, you can cancel and start hoping for next year.

The Best Times of the Year to Fly

Finding the best times of the year to fly is not just as simple as avoiding the dates listed above in the worst times of the year to fly. Sure, if you can do that, you will likely find lower prices, but we want to find the lowest prices. We want to look at the best times of the year to fly.

To find the lowest prices, we need to find the flights with the least amount of demand. Traveling to less popular locations and at less popular times of year is the best way to do so.

Of course, destination matters, too. We all want to see the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, but we don’t need a show-stopping attraction like that on every trip. Choosing less popular locations can save you a lot of money. You might be surprised how fantastic your trip will be.

Once you’ve picked a destination, it’s time to figure out when you should fly there.

Most destinations around the world have a high season and a low season. It’s easy to understand that the high season would be more popular and therefore have higher flight prices. The low season would be cheaper, but there is probably a reason it is the low season. Most often, that reason is the weather.

Hot Tip: What many people don’t realize is that in between the high and low seasons, there are what is known as the shoulder seasons. Times of the year where the prices aren’t as high as the high season, but the benefits of traveling in the high season are still mostly there. The weather may be a few degrees cooler on the beach, but it will still be plenty warm enough to enjoy.

The shoulder season is what you want to find. Flights will be cheaper, and the destination will still be a great place to visit. Shoulder seasons are not always obvious, but you can get a little help finding them in some locations.

Check local hotels, buses, and tour prices. Often, they will have different pricing listed for high season and low season. In the middle of those two, you will find the shoulder season. We would advise you to go right on the edge of when things are cheaper to get the best of the high season at low season pricing.

Taking a trip to Nicaragua in the fall, for example, can be a fantastic adventure. Within the span of a few weeks, you can scuba dive with hammerhead sharks, climb a volcano and go boarding back down, whitewater raft through canyons, and see monkeys in the forest. The best part? There are cheap flights , plenty of availability, and since it is a shoulder season in Nicaragua, everything at your destination will be less expensive, too.

Similarly to the best times of year to fly, the best days of the week to fly are those with less demand. The fewer people who want to fly on a major route on a specific day, the lower your price will generally be.

For our best and worst days of the week, we will be concentrating primarily on domestic U.S. travel. International travel doesn’t tend to follow the same patterns in pricing. In fact, it is tough to find any pattern at all in international flight pricing.

Domestically, Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to fly, with Thursday coming in slightly more expensive. This makes sense if you think about it.

These are the three days in the middle of the week. Business travelers are usually coming and going at the beginning or end of the week. Leisure travelers are rarely looking forward to the middle of the week, so they can enjoy their days off. Not that many people have a reason to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Hot Tip: If you can move your plans around so that your flights are mid-week, you are likely to save a bunch on your tickets. The same goes for award seats. You are much more likely to find an award seat to New York City midweek on a Tuesday than at the start of the work week on a Monday.

In a nutshell:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the best days to fly domestically
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are the days with the highest cost and lowest number of award seats.

There are two reasons for this, and both of them are relatively simple: business travel and vacations.

Domestically, business travelers who spend the week on location are either heading out on Sunday if they want to get a jump on the week or early Monday morning if they’re going to make the most of their weekend at home. Business travelers typically fly back to their home base at the end of the workweek on Friday, unless they need to work a full day on location and end up flying home Saturday.

Business travel is a huge part of domestic air travel, so you can understand why these travel patterns would lead to more demand and thus higher prices on these days of the week.

Vacationers, in a similar manner, most often take a full week of work off. If possible, they will sneak out and take a flight on Friday to take advantage of two full weekends at their destination. If they can’t do that, then Saturday is the next choice of day to fly to maximize vacation time.

On Sunday, it’s time to head home and get ready to go back to work on Monday.

Vacation travel sometimes extends to two or even three weeks, but most Americans take vacations in full week blocks, and they end up flying on these days. Again, more demand equals higher prices and fewer award seats.

Although this is the definitive guide, there aren’t any absolute rules. For every guideline, there are plenty of examples to contradict it.

In our days of the week sections, we only dealt with domestic flights. That is because those same guidelines don’t usually apply to international flights, as you can see in the pricing screenshot above.

When it comes to awards, a route with either abundant seats or too few seats can throw the rules out the window as well. If you want to fly 6 people to Australia in business class, for example, it doesn’t matter what day of the week you go; it is going to be nearly impossible to find those award seats.

Other routes have so many flights that there will consistently be award seats available. Almost any day you consider, you will be able to get one or more people on those flights with miles, even on the toughest days to fly.

This is an outline of general rules and suggestions for finding cheaper airfare and more available award seats, so these suggestions will not work every single time you try to book a flight.

They will, however, help some of the time. If you can save money some of the time, that is far better than always paying a higher price.

Over the years, there have been several answers to this question. People used to say Sunday night was the best time to book. Then it was widely reported that Tuesday was the day you would find the cheapest fares.

Some places have even argued that the best day for domestic flights is different than the best day for international flights.

Unfortunately, there is usually not a whole lot of data behind these reports. Sure, they will often point to a particular study or a survey or maybe even a well-known travel website, but if you look at the sources, the information they use is often not very convincing.

The first problem is that when media reports on this topic, it is always a big hit. Everyone wants to know the answer. Increased interest in booking on a particular day can influence pricing.

The second problem is that there will never be a single day of the week where all airfare is cheaper than usual. If there were such a day, nobody would ever book on other days of the week.

Airlines are continually adjusting airfares based on dates of travel, the popularity of the flights, and a variety of other factors. Each flight has several different fare buckets, and if one sells out, that price is gone. The airlines aren’t going to wait until Wednesday to change the price.

The same goes for lowering fares. It happens when the factors dictate it should happen. So if you are looking for a magic answer here, you aren’t going to find it. Sorry.

Bottom Line: The most accurate answer we can give you is this: the best day of the week to book your flight is the day that the price is lowest. Unfortunately, there are no consistent patterns, despite what you might have heard or read! 

A great way to find the lowest prices for flights to your destinations is to do a little bit of research ahead of time.

If you need to travel on specific dates, there isn’t too much you can do, but if you are flexible with your dates, looking at pricing history and setting up alerts can be quite helpful.

Google Flights is a great tool for looking at pricing. As you can see in some of the images we used above, you can see the pricing of flights for 2 full months at a time. This makes it quite easy to see which days of the week are going to be the best. It also can save you a lot of money by showing you that a day or two after or before your flight will be cheaper.

Hot Tip: Another helpful thing Google Flights does is allow you to track prices for specific flights. Once you have done a search and selected a particular flight, you will see a Track Prices button. Selecting this will save the flight, and you will get an email every time the price goes up or down. This is a great way to get an idea of pricing trends for a future trip.

In addition to Google Flights, services like Hopper and Kayak offer suggestions about whether it is the right time to buy a flight. They use past data to try to predict whether a flight price will rise or fall in the next week or so. Although these predictions won’t always be correct, they are data-based and can help with your confidence when booking flights.

As finding cheaper airfare is such a vast topic, this is by no means an exhaustive list of services and sites that you can use to research flights. There are plenty of others out there, and with a little digging, you may find one you like even better than what we have listed.

Finding the best and worst days to fly is far from an exact science. There are so many factors affecting flight pricing that you will never find a definitive formula that can be applied every time you want to book a flight.

With that in mind, however, what we have outlined in this post should help you get a broad idea of certain times when it would be possible to save a bit of money on your flight prices.

You should also now have an idea of a few times of the year when you will have a better chance of finding the award seats you need.

With award seats, as with cash bookings, flexibility is critical. The ability to fly on a Tuesday instead of a Monday might mean that you can find the award seat you want. It could also mean you will save 25 percent if you pay for the flight with cash.

Flying in shoulder seasons or to less popular destinations gives you a much higher chance of lower prices and plenty of award seats.

Keep these suggestions in mind next time you are booking, but above all, make sure you are comfortable with the price you are paying. If you are happy with the price, book the flight. Worrying too much about saving 10 or 20 dollars will add unnecessary stress to your life, and that’s the exact opposite of what you are hoping to achieve with a vacation.

Bottom Line: Find a flight you like and a price you can afford, book your trip, and spend the rest of your time concentrating on the time at your destination. Whether you’re relaxing on a beach, hanging from a zip line, or stuffing yourself with street food, we hope that this post helps you save some money and makes your next trip a reality as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best days to fly.

Generally speaking, for domestic travel, Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to fly.

What are the worst day to fly?

Generally speaking, for domestic travel, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday tend to be the most expensive.

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About Jeff Brownson

Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.

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The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Believing there’s just one optimal day a week to save on flights — and that day is Tuesday — is the stuff of legends. And like all good legends, there is some truth to it … but it’s not the whole story.

The reality is that flight prices change constantly and at all hours of the day, adjusting to real-time demand. Airlines don’t restock on the same day every week like a grocery store, so you won’t find deals by waiting until Tuesdays to book. However, you might find some modest savings if you’re willing to fly on Saturdays or midweek, when there’s less demand than usual.

Here’s what the data shows on the best days to book a flight and when to fly.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Best day to book a flight

No single day of the week is best to book a flight. You can find deals any day of the week since flight prices fluctuate with demand.

Airlines might offer sales, increase the number of seats on a route or even lower prices to match a competitor, so there’s no actual pattern in what day of the week has the best deals.

Best day to fly

Hopper — a travel booking app — collected flight booking data from October 2023 through April 1, 2024 for May 2024 departures. Here are the findings about the best day to fly.

Tuesday and Friday flights can help you avoid the rush earlier in the week

Sundays and Mondays are the most expensive days to depart for domestic trips. If you can’t fly on the cheapest days, flying on Tuesdays or Fridays might also be a good option. The average airfare is about 12% lower than peak Sunday prices on these days.

Mondays can still be a relatively expensive day to fly domestically. By departing on Monday instead of Sunday, you can expect to save only about $9, or about 3%.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally

Meanwhile, international flyers would also be wise to leave on Wednesdays or Saturdays, usually the cheapest days to depart for an international trip. That said, there isn’t a huge difference in price across the days of the week for most international routes.

Hopper estimates that leaving on a Wednesday for Europe will only save you about 10% compared to the most expensive day (Friday).

Fly on the holidays (or as far from it as possible)

Holidays are an entirely different beast, no matter whether it’s the Fourth of July or Labor Day. There are generally more people flying in the days around a holiday, so there are fewer airplane seats available and higher prices.

To get the best deal, book as early as possible. Because many airlines have flexible cancellation policies, it doesn’t hurt to lock in a decent rate ahead of time and rebook if the flight price drops in the months after. According to Google Flights’ 2023 insights, the best time to book a mid-December holiday flight is 71 days before departure.

In many cases, the best day to fly will be further out from the holiday. If the holiday falls on a Monday, flying the Tuesday before will likely be cheaper than flying the Friday before. You can also look at flying on the holiday itself. For example, flying on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day is usually much more affordable than flying on the days before or after.

Here are our recommendations for when to fly around some of the major holidays based on recent checkpoint data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

The best days to fly around Memorial Day .

The best days to fly around Fourth of July .

The best days to fly around Labor Day .

The best days to fly around Thanksgiving .

The best days to fly around Christmas .

The best days to fly around the winter holidays .

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• 5 points per dollar spent on travel (including flights) booked through Chase.

• 2 points per dollar on other travel (including flights).

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• 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500K per calendar year). Terms apply.

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Tips to find cheap flights any day of the week

Book one to three months in advance.

Even though no day of the week consistently has cheaper flights, there is a time period during which you should book before prices go up.

Going, a flight deals aggregator, recommends booking domestic flights one to three months in advance to avoid any price surges in the weeks leading up to the departure date. Last-minute flight deals aren’t super common and you risk not getting a seat at all because your desired flight might ultimately sell out. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll want to look two to eight months out.

It doesn’t hurt to look at flight prices before the ideal booking window. Google Flights, for example, sometimes shows in the search results when it expects prices to be the lowest based on historical data for your route.

Set a price alert

Let a computer program do the work for you. Instead of checking flight prices every day, set a price alert on the travel search engine of your choice — whether it’s Google Flights , Hopper, Skyscanner or Kayak . They’ll send you an email when they see the price drop.

Rebook if you find a cheaper price

Most airlines have adopted more flexible change and cancellation policies , which make it easier to rebook your flight and save money.

First, you’ll have to make sure that the original flight you booked will not have change or cancellation fees. For most airlines, that applies to most main cabin and premium class tickets on domestic flights and some short-haul international flights. You usually cannot change or cancel basic economy tickets for free.

If you can cancel or change without fees, set a price alert. When the price drops, you can cancel your flight and rebook (on the same airline or a different one) to get the cheaper price. Be aware that you might only get a travel voucher or credit if you cancel, so you should only use the option if you are fairly confident you will fly with the original airline again within one year.

Be flexible with destination, airport and dates

The golden rule of cheap travel remains: Be flexible . Use Google Flights to see if there are cheaper places to go by leaving the destination field blank when you search. Check nearby airports if you’re set on a destination and use the calendar views to find lower prices on different dates. Maybe embrace a long layover as a chance to see another city on your trip.

After all, the best day to book a flight and the best day to fly is when it’s cheapest, and that could vary depending on when and where you are going.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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What to expect in the Boxing Day travel sales from Tui, British Airways, Jet2 and more

Savvy sunseekers could save hundreds on their next summer getaway

• 21:00, 14 Dec 2023
• Updated 12:08, 22 Dec 2023

If the chilly Christmas weather has got you down, how about booking a break in the sun to look forward to?

January is historically the busiest month for holiday bookings as sunseekers take advantage of cut-price deals by planning their holiday getaways early in the year. With sales in full swing on flights, holidays and hotels, the deals can be top-notch with discounted prices and plenty of added extras including low deposits, free child places and upgrades.

While we are still waiting to hear confirmation on exactly what kind of deals we can expect to see go live on Boxing Day, previous discounts should give us a good idea.

READ MORE: Christmas comes early with this £99 mystery holiday deal to the Maldives, Bali and more

We'll keep you up to date as the deals start to drop, but before you book your holiday day, keep in mind that cheaper deals could be coming.

British Airways

British Airways is one of the first out of the blocks this Christmas, having launched their big annual sale on December, 20.

The flag carrier is offering discounts on flights and holiday packages across the globe, including cut-price seats on selected routes to Europe and seven-night holiday packages to holiday hotspots including Malta , Algarve and Malaga starting from just £249 per person .

There are also return flights to New York from £356, Orlando from £386 and San Francisco from £415, as well as a range of Avios offers in place for customers to reduce the price of their ticket even further.

Find out more about the British Airways and British Airways Holiday deals here .

Booking.com

Last year Booking.com offered 15% off selected stays as part of their Boxing Day deals. For Black Friday however, they ramped that up to an impressive 30% off accommodation.

We would expect to see somewhere between the two in this year's Boxing Day sales.

When it comes to flying with easyJet , passengers can expect to see money off deals on thousands of flights across Europe and beyond, including seats for less than £20 one way.

In previous years, the budget brand has dropped their Boxing Day deals as early as December, 23, with up to £200 off beach holidays , city breaks and more.

For Black Friday 2022 EasyJet almost broke the internet by offering over 60,000 seats under £25. While it would be brilliant to see those types of deals appearing on Boxing Day, we'll have to keep our eyes peeled to see what discounts await.

Another great website that offers awesome deals on travel and accommodation, Expedia offered up to 30% off selected stays last year.

We would hope to see the same again in 2023.

First Choice

First Choice regularly runs promotions and discounts throughout the year. In preparation for the big rush of summer bookings that take place after Christmas , the travel agent is expected to offer the usual incentives including free child places, low-cost deposits, payment options and money off holiday spends.

During the Black Friday sales, First Choice offered up to £250 off holidays costing more than £2500 and reduced the price of thousands of getaways, starting from as little as £190 per person.

This Christmas we would expect to see more of the same, with great deals to be found on short-haul beach breaks to long-haul adventures in Orlando, Florida, Mexico and more.

Can't wait until Boxing Day to book? First Choice has some super cheap deals on last-minute winter sun holidays departing in January. Prices start from as little as £194 per person for seven nights in Turkey .

Budget airline Jet2 and Jet2Holidays have already introduced some brilliant winter deals with 10% off flights departing between now and March 31, while holidaymakers could save between £100 and £220 on their winter hols. They are also making it easier to pay with pay monthly and pay in three options available.

Last year, the popular travel agent added an extra exciting element to their seasonal specials by running their ‘Bid for a Break’ campaign on Boxing Day. Giving holidaymakers the chance to pay just a few pence for a 5-star, all-inclusive holiday for just a few pence, customers should download the Jet2 mobile app, make their bid and cross their fingers that it is the lowest unique bid to win.

It would be great to see those sort of deals appear once again this year.

Lastminute.com

As a purveyor of cheap deals all year round you may not expect much from Lastminute.com in the Boxing Day sales but last year they pulled it out of the bag with some impressive flash sales from Christmas through to January.

As the name would suggest, most of the best deals can be found on getaways departing shortly.

Loveholidays

Online travel agent Loveholidays has built its reputation on providing super cheap holiday deals, opening up the world to holidaymakers on all budgets.

As part of its previous winter sale discounts, passengers could enjoy an additional 15% off selected hotels in destinations such as Corfu, Majorca, the Canary Islands and the Algarve.

While Ryanair seems to have lots of "sales" throughout the year, some of their best deals can be found in the winter sale.

Always one to watch out for, previous years have seen some cracking deals such as 10 million seats on offer for as little as £29.99, and buy one get half price deals for cheaper adventures with your bestie.

Black Friday with Ryanair was full of fun too with different deals dropping over a series of days to entice flyers to buy. Previously, we have even seen a BOGOF deal that saw two passengers take to the skies for the price of just one ticket, with the best deals focusing on winter and springtime departures.

Speaking of winter sun, Ryanair is currently offering 10% off selected flights to some of our favourite holiday hotspots including flights to Spain, Italy and Portugal from just £14.99

Secret Escapes

Members-only website Secret Escapes offers long-haul holidays at low prices. With offers regularly updated, there are likely to be even more discounts available over the Christmas and New Year period.

Thomas Cook

Last year Thomas Cook offered some heavily discounted deals with hundreds of pounds off trips to destinations including Mexico, Barbados, the Canary Islands and Egypt. Deals were available on holidays throughout the year, with the sale prices ending on January, 31.

For Black Friday, Thomas Cook broke out some impressive deals offering as much as 30% off last-minute getaways, summer holidays for 2024, city breaks and long-haul adventures.

The TUI Live Happy sale is now live with £100 off spend of £1000 and £250 off bookings costing more than £2500 on summer holidays across Europe and beyond. Customers who sign up for a myTUI account here , could alternatively choose to save £300 on selected long-haul holidays using a unique code.

Selected holidays can be booked with £0 deposits, with the cost of the getaway spread across monthly Direct Debits. TUI is also promising to offer more 'Kids Go Free' places than ever before, even in the school holidays, helping to make dream holidays more affordable.

This year's sale also offers up to £300 off selected Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises , depending on departure date and destination.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has launched some big deals in their seasonal sale.

One of their finest offerings includes £60 per adult and £45 per child off prices to Orlando when you book between 18th December '23 - 31st March '24, for travel in 2024 - a saving of £210 for a family of 4. There are also good deals on flights with London to New York for £376 and London to Miami from £412 .

While Virgin will offer many similar deals to their flag-carrying rival, British Airways, they also have some unique routes to delicious destinations such as Havana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic also offers non-stop routes from Manchester to Florida, New York, Barbados and Jamaica, making them more attractive to travellers from the north of England.

As another low-cost flight provider, Wizz Air usually fights off the competition by offering cheap deals in December and January.

In its "Pink Friday" promotion, the airline offered different deals every day for a week in 2022, delivering discounts on over 3 million seats flying to various destinations including Tenerife, Rome and Portugal.

Deal site Wowcher offers a wide range of cheap city breaks , holidays and mystery travel deals . Already great value for money, they traditionally slash prices even further on Boxing Day and into January.

Well suited to flexible travellers, you could grab a weekend away for as little as £99 per person. Sign up for the site and keep your eyes peeled.

Bargain buys for travellers in the Boxing Day sales

If you've already got your holiday sorted, the Boxing Day sales are the perfect time to find big deals on luggage and other travel essentials.

While there are many brands to choose from, some of the best deals we expect to see on suitcases and travel bags are likely to be delivered by the following retailers

• American Tourister
• House of Fraser
• Luggage Superstore
• Marks and Spencer

Online marketplace Amazon is also expected to have lots of lovely deals available for savvy travellers including reduced prices on suitcases , carry-on bags , travel tech , gadgets and so much more.

How to avoid being scammed in the Boxing Day travel sales

It can be very easy to get all over-excited about the idea of a cheap travel deal. To avoid being scammed stay safe and be wary of deals that look too good to be true.

The most common types of booking fraud are:

• Holiday Accommodation: Holidaymakers are conned by scammers setting up fake websites, hacking into legitimate accounts and posting fake adverts on websites and social media.
• Airline tickets: Customers believe they are booking a flight but are sent fake tickets or pay for a ticket that never turns up.

Before you hand over your hard-earned money on Boxing Day, make sure you consider the following:

Is the website legitimate?

Before you part with a single penny, do your research to ensure that the website is safe and legitimate. Many scammers make their fraudulent websites look so similar to big-name brands that you wouldn't even notice at first glance.

Ensure that the spelling is correct and that the domain names haven't been changed - such as going from co.uk to .org or other tell-tale giveaways. You should also check that there is an address and a working phone number as a lack of contact details could indicate a scam.

Read the reviews

Some companies pay people to write online reviews for them so never assume that lots of great feedback means any website is a safe bet. By asking Google to bring up reviews from across the internet you will be able to see more measured opinions and read about other people's experiences.

Look out for the ABTA or ATOL logo

Check to see that the company is ABTA or ATOL-protected before you book to ensure that you will be protected financially should anything happen.

According to the Money Saving Expert website "with ATOL, you can check it's legitimate by finding the reference number on it - this is usually four to five digits long and it may include a 'T' at the start - and then inserting this or the name of the travel company into the free ATOL database . Make sure you get an ATOL certificate when you book a protected trip.

"The process is the same for ABTA as it is for ATOL, so you just need to input the five-digit reference number or the company's name into the ABTA database ."

Protect how you pay

The safest way to pay for a holiday is by using a debit or credit card as they offer their own forms of protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Any company that asks for a payment to be made directly into a bank account or by a wire transfer could very likely be a scam.

MORE ON Boxing Day

Know when to book your next trip.

Actually, there is a perfect time to go on your vacation. Our Best Time to Travel tool uses your origin, destination and length of trip to determine when you should travel and when to book for a great price. Start by filling in your travel details, and we'll take it from there.

Methodology

Calculation: our recommendation.

Our recommendation on which month to travel is calculated based on the presented four factors: average flight prices, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation. Flight prices, popularity, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. Average temperature optimal values are taken as the median for the destination, and a difference is calculated for each month from this reference point. The smaller the difference the higher the month moves in the recommendation. Flight prices and temperature factors are weighed double as much as popularity and precipitation. December is excluded due to ambiguous price and popularity patterns around Christmas travel. In case of unavailable data for any of the aforementioned factors, the recommendation is estimated based on the rest of the available factors.

Data: flight prices

Prices are estimates based on analysis of current and historical minimum roundtrip prices for one traveler. Prices include monthly averages as well as the greatest and least percentages in intervals of ten for each trip length. With our data, we try to forecast future minimum price trends - these estimates are subject to change and should be interpreted as a rough directional guide.

Data: hotel prices

Overall insights for hotel prices are based on our own search data from the past 3 - 4 days and insights can be updated once a day. To estimate nightly rates for a standard double-room at 3-star hotels, we show the pricing range excluding the top 10% and bottom 10% of prices for a given destination. If there are missing insights, that means that we don't have enough data from the past 3 - 4 days on the given destination to provide a reliable estimate.

Data: popularity

Monthly crowd estimates for each destination are determined by internal flight and hotel search data. This includes most recent historical insights using a 9-month range which is updated on a monthly basis. This data is measured by considering the highest number of searches per month to represent the period with the most crowds.

Data: weather

Weather data is pulled from a third party site, Weatherbase , and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data is based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in realtime from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.

Data: best time to book

Best time to book insights are estimated from our internal historical search data. Search data from the past year is aggregated for each day difference between date of departure and search date from 0 to 183 days (about 6 months ahead is the earliest we consider), taking the bottom 10 percentile of hotel prices and flight prices of economy class. The minimum prices and corresponding day difference is identified to approximate best times to book flight tickets for the specific route, and hotels for the specific destination city. The underlying dataset is updated weekly. In case of missing insights, the route or destination city in question have less than 40 data points per day difference, thus we cannot generate reliable estimates.

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Boxing Breaks

Tailormade Boxing Breaks is the dedicated boxing tour operator department of Tailormade Luxury Sports Tours.

Having taken thousands of boxing fans all around the world to witness some of the biggest fights in  recent history, Boxing Breaks is perfectly placed to manage all of your boxing travel and ticket requirements.

Having started life specialising in the worlds biggest heavyweight bounts, we have now widened our offing to include packages to many more boxing events as well as UFC events.

Our packages will include return flights, transfers, hotel accommodation and fight tickets in a range of locations to meet your individual needs, requirements and budget and all packages are covered by our ATOL license for your protection. 

Why Travel with Boxing Breaks?

All packages are fully ATOL Protected

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We have staff in location for every event

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Thanks for organising a great trip to LA for the fight. We had an amazing time & met some fantastic people. I don’t think you could have selected a better hotel in terms of the amount of stars staying there.

The trip was amazing had a fantastic time thank you and we’d definitely be up for going to the rematch. I am so glad we got in touch as I ticked a lot off my bucket list by booking with Luxury Sports Tours.

We just wanted to thank you for putting on such an amazing trip we truly did have a brilliant time. You guys really do know how to put a sports package together so professional and we look forward to next time

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These are the best times to buy an international flight

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Don't fret about your airfare budget if you're planning an international trip and trying to pinch pennies. Just plan ahead and study the best times to book.

While you can often find great deals year-round thanks to regular flash sales from the biggest airlines, you can't always rely on the timing. In these situations, it's good to look at wider booking trends and the seasonality of your destination when deciding how far in advance you should book.

When is the best time to buy international flights? Is it worth waiting for a last-minute deal, or should you lock in that airfare right this second? CheapAir — a website where you can search for inexpensive airfare and compare flights — looked at all the possible days to book trips from the U.S. to different regions worldwide. The website identified which days are best to score the cheapest airfare.

Which days of the week are the cheapest to fly?

Generally, Tuesday and Wednesday are always the least expensive days of the week to fly; Sunday is, more often than not, the most expensive. On average, you could save between $25 and $350 by traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on your destination. When exactly to book, however, does vary between regions.

You'll find a summary of the website's other findings and a more detailed breakdown of CheapAir's results below.

Best time to buy: Three to 10 months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: February and March.

Most expensive months to travel: August and December.

Fares in spring and fall tend to be marginally better — roughly $25 less — than those in winter and summer. If you're traveling as a family, you may find these savings worth it; if you're a solo traveler, this amount of money is fairly minimal and might not be worth changing your travel plans around to keep in your wallet.

If you're planning a summer trip, you'll ideally want to look to book around eight to 10 months in advance to take advantage of the lowest fares; winter is similarly aligned. Fall and spring, however, see the best fares as late as five to six months before travel.

Best time to buy: One to five months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: January and February.

Airfare to Mexico is fairly consistent throughout the year but can be slightly cheaper in January and February if you really want to save those pennies.

Broadly speaking, you don't need to give yourself too much time between booking and traveling unless you're looking for a December winter getaway. If so, it's best to book about seven months before your travel date.

Best time to buy: Two to five months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: September and October.

Most expensive months to travel: July and December.

Traveling to the Caribbean from the U.S. is relatively straightforward if you're looking for optimal pricing with good options dotted throughout every month.

If you're looking for a Christmas escape, you might want to book around five months before you plan to travel. During summer, you can often find good late deals — about one to two months before traveling.

Central America and South America

Unsurprisingly it's more expensive flying to both Central America and South America during the summer and winter months — particularly around the holidays.

If you're looking for the perfect window, consider traveling to the region during spring, when ticket prices are about $50 to $60 less on average than during other seasons.

South Pacific

Best time to buy: Nine to 10 months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: January and April.

Most expensive months to travel: October and November.

To really see any savings on flights to the South Pacific from the U.S., you'll need to look at booking at least eight months out.

If you're hoping to travel in spring or fall, you can afford to wait a little longer since the differences in savings are fairly minimal.

Best time to buy: 10 months before your travel date.

As with travel to the South Pacific, Asia doesn't deviate too much. You'll want to book at least eight months out to find the best prices.

The busiest months tend to be August and December (around the Christmas rush). If you're flexible, spring and fall may offer better prices.

Best time to buy: One to seven months before your travel date.

Cheapest months to travel: October and November.

Most expensive months to travel: May and June.

It goes without saying that the most expensive time to travel to Europe is during the summer months. Average airfares will regularly come in at more than $1,100. Plus, once you arrive, you'll be competing for space with European vacationers looking for some sun closer to home.

If you're flexible with your travel dates, you might find that fall shoulder season fares come in, on average, about $200 less than summer fares. Depending on your destination, you can still chase the weather and sunbathe in sunny climates.

With consistent flights to Europe running throughout all seasons, you can find good fares quite late in the game. If you'd rather get your plans settled early, look to book around six to seven months before you travel.

Middle East

Best time to buy: Two to 10 months before your travel date.

The sweet spot for booking flights to the Middle East from the U.S. appears to be about eight months before you're set to travel.

The winter and summer periods are definitely the busiest here. If you're traveling during the spring and fall, you have a little more leeway regarding when to book. You can often find good deals around two to three months before you travel.

Cheapest month to travel: February.

Most expensive month to travel: July.

If you're planning an escape to Africa, it's wise to book your flights as early as possible throughout most of the year. The only outlier is if you want to visit in spring when you can often get good deals for flights quite close to your planned departure date — around three months before.

Keep in mind that the rainy season falls during the spring months in some parts of the continent.

Bottom line

If you can plan far ahead, it can pay to book travel many months in advance. If you need a shorter booking window, it is still possible to find good fares as long as you're flexible with both the destination and the conditions in your chosen locale (as deals are commonly available during off-season periods when the weather might not be entirely desirable).

Note: While the above information is a fairly consistent guide to finding the best prices to travel, there are always outliers. For example, trips to London during the coronation or Munich during Oktoberfest will probably cost more since these are peak tourist times. In these instances, it's often worth checking for flight deals or holding out for flash sales.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations

What is Boxing Day? It’s more than a day to find great after-Christmas sales

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Boxing Day is officially here and we've rounded up all the after-Christmas sales  to help you save big before 2023. Whether you want to spend your gift cards or treat yourself to some post-holiday gifts, you can score Black Friday prices on everything from electronics and home goods to kitchen tools and fashion right now. With Boxing Day sales in full swing at Amazon , Walmart and Best Buy , the time to save is now. 

Here’s the deal: Sign up for Reviewed's Perks and Rec newsletter to get the best holiday sales dropped right in your inbox Sunday through Friday.

So, what is Boxing Day? We've outlined everything you need to know and scouted out all the best sales available right now. Keep scrolling for the inside scoop.  

►End-of-year deals: Here are the 100+ best year-end sales at Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom and more

► Save big on a new mattress just in time for the New Year: Shop Awara, Leesa and more

When is Boxing Day 2022?

This year, Boxing Day falls on Monday, December 26 . Each year the holiday is observed on the day immediately after Christmas . In many areas of the world—most notably the United Kingdom and former and current British colonies—Boxing Day, or second Christmas Day, is a public holiday. 

Why is it called Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a centuries-old holiday with roots dating back as early as 1663. The name originally came about because of the tradition of giving boxes filled with small gifts and food to servants and tradespeople on the day after Christmas. In history, tradespeople would typically work on December 25 and celebrate with their families on December 26 with the boxes and gifts given to them by their employers—thus the day became known as Boxing Day , according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. The holiday is also sometimes referred to as St. Stephen's Day, which is the official name of the December 26th  holiday in Ireland. 

Today, Boxing Day has become a second day to celebrate Christmas in many parts of the world. It has also become a major shopping holiday, with plenty of major retailers offering after-Christmas deals and sales. Boxing Day sales have become so big, in fact, that many discounts are equivalent to those seen on Black Friday—making it a great time to use any gift cards or cash received on Christmas. 

► More:   What is Boxing Day and why that weird name?

Best Boxing Day 2022 sales 

Boxing Day major retailer sales  

Amazon :  Enjoy end-of-year savings on smart tech, Amazon devices, home goods, fashion, kitchen essentials and so much more.

Walmart :  Walmart is one of our go-to places to shop and right now you can enjoy price cuts on home essentials, kitchen gadgets, iPads, MacBooks, laptops, style, beauty and toys. If you sign up for Walmart+ you can even get exclusive access to discounts and other member benefits. 

Bed Bath & Beyond :  Browse tons of home and kitchen items under $50 and $100 right now, plus take 25% off any item for a limited time. 

Macy's :  Shop now and save as much as 60% off tons of full-price and clearance items including kitchen essentials, jewelry and clothing. 

QVC : Find daily deals on electronics, home essentials—including air purifiers and dehumidifiers—and tons more. Use coupon code FREESHIP to score free shipping through Tuesday, January 31 . 

Boxing Day tech sales  

Best Buy : Score hefty price cuts on everything from top-rated Sony headphones, to expansive Vizio smart TVs, to compact Keurig coffee makers. 

Crutchfield :  Crutchfield is running an array of exciting Boxing Day deals, from heavily discounted TVs, to deals on soundbars, headphones and up to $825 in savings on select bookshelf speakers.

Disney+ :  Disney+ recently added an ad-supported tier to its list of subscription plans, but that doesn't mean its eliminated its savings. If you were thinking about buying into the Disney bundle, which also features Hulu and ESPN+, you can get it for as low as $12.99 a month.

HP : Shop for discounts on powerful laptops, expansive computer monitors and other tech accessories. 

JBL : Treat yourself to some new speakers or headphones this Boxing Day 2022 and save as much as 70% on select models at JBL. 

Paramount+ :  You can save an impressive 50% off your first year's subscription to Paramount+ by signing up before Monday, January 2. Not only does this give you access to your favorite movies and shows, but this package also includes Showtime's massive library of content.

Samsung :  Samsung is one of the most acclaimed names in the world of tech and the developer is offering a bevy of deals on its devices right now. Save on smartphones, appliances and more. 

Boxing Day sleep sales  

Avocado : Try out the Reviewed-approved Avocado Green mattress and save 10% on Avocado's collection of organic sleepers for kids and adults. 

Awara :  Awara is one of the best mattresses we've ever tested —and right now, you can snag a new sleeper for as much as $300 off. Plus you can get up to $499 in free sleep accessories with your mattress purchase.

Brooklinen : As the best overall winner of our favorite bed sheets , Brooklinen is a brand worth splurging on. And now you can treat yourself to high-quality sheets, loungewear and more at a discount. 

Brooklyn Bedding : Head to Brooklyn Bedding for Boxing Day deals on mattresses, sleep accessories and more. Save up to 20% right now. 

Casper :  Score hefty savings on the biggest bedroom essential by shopping the Casper New Year's sale. This sale is offering shoppers up to $600 off on mattresses and 30% off the brand's line of sleep essentials.

Cocoon by Sealy :  Cocoon by Sealy is offering limited-time markdowns right now with steep savings on the Cocoon by Sealy Chill memory foam mattress, which we named among the best we've tested. 

Leesa : Save big on the best hybrid mattress we've ever tested —the Leesa Hybrid mattress—by shopping the brand's limited-time Boxing Day deals today. 

Nectar :  Nectar mattresses are some of our favorites, and right now, you can get them for 33% off at this limited-time sale.

Nolah :  Those looking for a soft sleeper should visit Nolah. Not only can you find mattresses up to $700 off, but you can also get two free pillows with your purchase.

Saatva :  Dreaming of better sleep? Transform your bedroom into a luxe oasis by picking up a best-selling Saatva mattress—and get $350 off all orders of $1,000 or more for a limited time only.

Tuft & Needle :  Save big on your next night's sleep by shopping Tuft & Needle's Year-End Savings event. Right now, you can save up to 40% off select mattresses, sheets, pillows and more.

Boxing Day kids' and baby deals

Carter's :  You can shop kids' and babies' pajamas available for up to 60% off during this online Carter's sale.

Hanna Andersson :  Revamp your mini fashionista's closet for 2023 and save big at Hanna Andersson—get up to 50% off all products during this blowout sale and shop pajamas starting at just $20. 

Little Passports :  If you're trying to get your little one excited to learn, Little Passports has the perfect deal for you. From now until Saturday, December 31 , you can save up to 30% off sitewide when you use the coupon code LASTCHANCE22 .

Pottery Barn Kids :  Pottery Barn Kids is offering some deep discounts on select items throughout their end-of-year sales event.

Boxing Day fashion sales  

Adidas : Shop sporty Boxing Day deals at Adidas. Enjoy select shoes under $100 and cozy fleece items up to 40% off.

Aerie :  If you're looking for a cute new outfit to step out in this winter, there's no better time than now to shop. Make a statement in 2023 with discounts of up to 60% off on styles in the Aerie Collection. 

Alo Yoga :  Time to get your yoga and pilates game on. Alo Yoga's trendy, tested and approved activewear has been worn by the likes of celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez, and now it's your turn to get in on the action. Enjoy 40% off sale items right now.

Athleta :  Athleta has all the styles you need for working out, lounging and packing for New Year's vacations. Snag markdowns of up to 60% off right now.

Coach Outlet : Score Coach bags up to 70% off right now, with an extra 20% off on totes, handbags, crossbodies and more. 

Crocs : Looking for a cozy pair of shoes? Crocs is offering up to 50% off select styles right now during its end-of-the-season sale.

EyeBuyDirect :  Get a better view of 2023 and beyond by shopping EyeBuyDirect. Right now, the glasses retailer is letting shoppers buy one set of frames and get the second one for 50% off with the promo code BOHOFS . 

Forever21 :  Right now, you can save up to 80% on select categories and styles at Forever 21 for the New Year and beyond.

GlassesUSA : Get frames marked down for 50% off with the code COZY50 at checkout and get free shipping on your order. Meanwhile, if you want to really stock up on eyeglasses or sunglasses this winter, the discount code BOGOFREE will unlock buy one, get one free deals through Saturday, December 31 .

Kate Spade Surprise : Save up to 75% off at Kate Spade Surprise. This includes the brand's iconic purses, shoes, accessories and clothing. 

lululemon :  Jumpstart that healthy New Year's resolution with the help of lululemon's cult-favorite activewear. Save on popular products including leggings, sweatshirts, joggers and so much more right now. 

Nordstrom : Shop the Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale for markdowns on Michael Kors, Adidas, Steve Madden and so much more. 

Old Navy :  Save up to 60% off of everything in your cart at Old Navy. Grab select styles starting at just $2.

Boxing Day home and kitchen sales  

Boll & Branch :  Give your linen closet a big refresh by shopping bedding bundle deals at Boll & Branch, where you can save 20% off orders of $300 off with the promo code WINTER22 .

Crowd Cow :  We love Crowd Cow's popular meat subscriptions and right now the meal delivery service is offering up to 35% off tailgating and fall cooking essentials, including briskets and roasts, steaks, sausages, chicken wings and more.

Dyson :  Dyson is offering a variety of impressive December deals including reduced prices on cordless vacuums and powerful air purifiers.

EveryPlate :  Make a New Year's resolution to cook more—and save money. Although EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal kits, it doesn't skimp on flavor. And right now you can enjoy an even lower price. Try EveryPlate today and save $110 across your first three boxes. 

Factor :  Factor can ship pre-made, diet-conscious meals right to your door (and they taste delicious). Enjoy 60% off your first box and 20% off the next four boxes with code REVIEWED60OFF .

Green Chef :  Make healthy eating a priority by signing up for Green Chef meal deliveries today. Right now new customers can get their first five boxes for $200 off. 

GreenPan :  Jumpstart your new year's resolution of healthy home cooking with a brand new cookware set from GreenPan—save up to 60% today. 

HelloFresh :  One of the best meal kit delivery services we have tested, HelloFresh features big portions, affordable prices and straightforward recipes. Sign up today to get 21 free meals, three surprise gifts and free shipping. 

Home Chef :  Home Chef is the best meal kit we’ve ever tested, and right now, you can sign up for your first Home Chef box at 75% off.

The Home Depot : Find deep discounts on tools, home improvement essentials, appliances and so much more with limited-time Boxing Day deals at The Home Depot. 

HSN :  Save big on select home essentials, cookware, clothing and more today at HSN. Plus, save $10 on your first order with code HSN2023 and get free shipping on every order of $75 or more. 

Keurig :  Skip the lines at the coffee shop by having your own brews at home with the help of Keurig. The brand is offering 15% off all pods and 20% off purchases of five or more. Plus, save 25% when you make any beverage order.

KitchenAid :  It's time to finally invest in that stand mixer you've been eyeing. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer is now on sale for $100 off. Plus, large appliances like ranges, dishwashers and refrigerators are also discounted by up to 25%.

Lowe's :  Head to Lowe’s for incredible deals on tons of most-wanted home essentials. Enjoy up to 50% off select tools, home accessories and so much more.

Made In Cookware : Shop up to 30% off stainless steel cookware at Made In Cookware, who makes some of the best cookware we’ve tested in our labs. Save on cookware collections, kitchen sets, individual frying pans and more.

Ninja Kitchen : Want to upgrade your cooking skills in 2023? Ninja is offering up to $140 off tons of kitchen essentials right now to help you get started. 

Our Place :  Cooking has never been easier (or more stylish) than with the Our Place Always Pan. We're big fans of the Always Pan and it can be yours for up to 30% off today. 

Overstock :  With the change in seasons comes the need to bring something new into your home. For that, there's Overstock. Shop now to save up to 70% off select furniture, rugs, bedding and more. 

Snake River Farms :  Snake River Farms is our pick for the best upgrade meat delivery system for its wide variety of cuts, fast shipping and prime cuts of American wagyu. Right now, the meat delivery service is offering $25 off all orders of $99 or more with the promo code SRFREVIEWED .

Sur La Table :  Sur La Table is offering deep discounts on tons of must-have cookware and kitchen essentials—including iconic products from Le Creuset. You can snag December deals on small appliances, cookware and more for as much as 50% off for a limited time only.

Wayfair :  Wayfair is a great place to shop for a discount—get discounted furniture, couches, interior décor, mattresses, home goods and more for up to 60% off today.

Boxing Day lifestyle sales

Academy Sports + Outdoors :  Shop up to 50% off sitewide with additional discounts off select items, like family games, winter sports gear and more. 

AncestryDNA :  Pick up an AncestryDNA testing kit right now and save a whopping $40. Ancestry makes some of the best DNA testing kits we've ever tested, so this kit is sure to be a winner. 

Backcountry :  Stock up on all the winter gear you need right now at Backcountry. Save up to 50% off popular brands including Backcountry, The North Face and Stoic for a limited time. 

Chewy :  Chewy is celebrating Boxing Day with tons of pet-approved deals on best-selling dog and cat products. For a limited time, you can shop Chewy’s sale section to save as much as 40% off toys, treats and more. 

Petco :  Give your furry friends something fun this Boxing Day by shopping Petco's collection of after-Christmas deals. You can find discounts of up to 40% on seasonal accessories, plus savings when you buy two or more packs of pet treats.

REI :  REI is known for offering some of the best outdoor gear and sportswear in the business. Right now, you can save up to 50% off with special deals on sleeping pads, hiking boots, jogger pants, base layer tops, hoodies and more. 

Solo Stove :  Solo Stove's cult-favorite fire pits can come with a hefty price tag, but, right now, you can snag smokeless fire pits for up to 40% off and save as much as 45% on fire pit bundles. 

What do people do on Boxing Day?

While Boxing Day started as a day to exchange Christmas boxes, it has now become one of the biggest shopping days in December. People across the globe spend gift cards, shop for after-Christmas deals and even head out to return or exchange gifts on Boxing Day. This year Boxing Day falls on the same day as Christmas Day observance in the United States, so most Americans will be home from work and looking to take advantage of the limited-time end-of-year markdowns. 

What's better: Boxing Day deals or Black Friday?

Black Friday may be the most well-known shopping holiday of the year, but Boxing Day deals are very similar. Just like on Black Friday, you'll be able to nab incredible savings on smart TVs, tech, mattresses, kitchen appliances and more on Boxing Day. Boxing Day is also your best chance to save before the New Year as it's the final shopping event of 2022. Plus, as many retailers prepare to unveil new inventory in early January they often slash prices on this year's products, making Boxing Day sales that much better. 

Boxing Day store hours

Although Boxing Day falls on Monday December 26 , an observed holiday in the U.S., plenty of major retailers are still open. Below, we rounded up Boxing Day store hours for some of our favorite retailers. Keep in mind, some hours may vary by location but if your preferred store is closed you can always shop online! 

• Bed Bath & Beyond : 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Best Buy : 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Costco :  Hours vary by location, typically open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Home Depot :  Hours vary by location, typically open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ikea : 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• JCPenney : 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Kohl's : 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lowe's : 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Macy's : 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack : Hours vary by location, typically open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Petco : 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sam's Club : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Target : 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Ulta Beauty : 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Walmart : 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

► Day after Christmas 2022: What stores are open and closed?

When do Boxing Day sales start?

Boxing Day sales are here! We saw some of the first Boxing Day sales drop just before Christmas, with most deals going live early on Monday, December 26 . Most Boxing Day sales last just 24 hours, however some will continue through the week. 

How long do Boxing Day sales last?

Most Boxing Day sales typically last just 24 hours starting on Monday, December 26 . Some, however, will continue through the week with similar end-of-year markdowns expected to start popping up on Sunday, December 31 . As always, we suggest shopping early to ensure you get the products you need at the price you want. 

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

8 Trips to Book on Boxing Day

Published by katelyn chamberlain on 17/12/2020 17/12/2020.

Our big Boxing Day sale is just around the corner, which means it’s time to kick your travel planning into high gear if you want to snag some of these hot deals for your 2021 holidays. Since 2020’s lack of travelling has probably given you a mile-long bucket list, you might be feeling unsure of where to go first.

Well, look no further than our list of the best destinations to book this year on Boxing Day. These destinations have it all: unending things to see and do, good for summer trips, and stunning scenery. Most importantly, we’ll have deals for all of them during the Boxing Day sale.

* Before travelling, always check local and national government guidelines for your destination to ensure you understand what restrictions are in place. *

Croatia makes for the perfect summer getaway: it’s full of stunning beaches and island escapes, plus unique and charming cities. It’s also less crowded (and cheaper!) than more well-known European island destinations like Greece or the Italian coast. While cities like Dubrovnik can definitely get crowded in the summer, travelling in May or September will help you avoid most of the crowds.

Croatia has a unique blend of both Austro-Hungarian and Mediterranean cultures. You’ll find unique and delicious foods, art and architecture with influences from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Explore Zagreb, Croatia’s stunning capital, then head to Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Parks for some incredible scenery. Of course, you’ll also want to make time to visit Dubrovnik, the coastal city made famous by Game of Thrones.

Fly into: Zagreb (ZAG) or Split (SPU). Zagreb is more central and often has more flight options and cheaper flights, but Split is right on the coast. If you’re planning to spend lots of time on the beach and/or do a sailing excursion, starting in Split makes sense. If you want to see some of Croatia’s incredible cities too, Zagreb is a good option.

2. Tulum, Mexico

Tulum, Mexico is a great place to check off your bucket list in 2021. It’s super easy to social distance, since the good weather and endless beaches means everything can happen outdoors. Safety measures like increased cleaning and mask mandates are in place in many areas and at most hotels. In addition, many hotels are operating at limited capacity. For maximum social distancing, choose a smaller hotel that’s right on a beach (they’ll be easy to find!). This will make it easy to walk straight from your room to the ocean. While you’re there, make sure to visit a few Cenotes, swim with sea turtles, fill up on authentic Mexican food and of course, enjoy plenty of beach time.

Fly into : Cancun, Mexico (CUN), then take a taxi or bus to Tulum. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s the closest airport. Taxis cost about $80USD but the bus is around $12USD. Either way, it’ll take about an hour and a half.

If you’re looking to make up for 2020 with a truly unique and adventurous experience, consider planning a trip to Kenya. Kenya is one of the best places to see African wildlife, as it’s home to Maasai Mara, which is the National Park with the highest concentration of mammals in the world. Plus, i ts wide-open landscapes are great for social distancing and the country has implemented rigorous testing requirements and temperature-taking practices to keep visitors safe and healthy. 

Fly into : Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city

4. Miami, FL

Where better to social distance than on a sunny beach? Flights to Miami have been at rock-bottom prices for weeks now. You know what that means: Boxing Day deals are only going to make them even cheaper. Whether you’re booking ahead for spring break or just planning a winter getaway to soak up some vitamin D, Miami is an easy destination for year-round sunshine. And it’s a destination with something for everyone. Enjoy plenty of time for relaxing on the beach or going surfing, trendy nightlife and a hip urban city, plus plenty of delicious (and outdoor) food options. Taco truck by the beach, anyone?

5. New York City, USA

With airfare still at all-time lows, now might be the perfect time to book a flight for a future trip to New York City.  New York has something for everyone and with many people choosing more distanced destinations, we expect there to be great deals to be found in 2021.

6. Costa Rica

If Costa Rica’s been on your bucket list for a while, but you’ve never made the time to get down to Central America, 2021 is a good year to make it happen. Costa Rica’s already welcoming back travellers. Whether you’re wanting to travel in the next few months or holding out for a trip later next year, Costa Rica is a possibility. Costa Rica’s known as an adventure destination, so it’s perfect for students. It’s also perfect for travelling when you want to have plenty of options to stay outside and socially distanced. From hiking in national parks and rainforests to waterfall rappelling, climbing volcanoes, or snorkelling, surfing and windsurfing on one of Costa Rica’s many beaches, you’ll find adventure galore in Costa Rica!

Fly into: the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose

Dubai might not be on your bucket list yet, but it’s an underrated destination that has a lot to offer for students! Dubai is one of the modern, exciting and diverse cities in the world, with stunning skylines, record-breaking architecture, amazing beaches, endless shopping and more. It’s also home to some fantastic adventure options if you like a bit of an adrenaline rush with your vacations! Go skydiving, mountain biking, sandboarding, dune bashing, kite-surfing, hot air ballooning and more. The year-round warm weather also makes it easy to do most things outside and social distance. It’s also one of the safest countries in the world.

Fly into: Dubai International Airport (DXB). It’s the world’s busiest airport and offers plenty of flight options.

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: Japan is an incredible destination for a 2021 trip. Whether you want to spend some time in the ultra-modern Tokyo seeing iconic skyscrapers, filling up on amazing food and experiencing the hustle and bustle of a big city or need some space to chill out, Japan has a lot to offer. The quiet bamboo forests and historic temples in Kyoto might be just what you need after a stressful year! Either way, Japan is an extremely safe and clean country—definitely a big plus as you’re planning for next year.

Fly into: You’ll find the most options into Haneda International Airport (HND). The Narita Airport in Tokyo (NRT) also has international flights. It’s easy to travel from Tokyo to other areas of Japan, so we recommend starting with at least a few days in Tokyo before branching out to other cities.

Ready to book your trip? Make sure you’re signed up for a free StudentUniverse account to unlock exclusive fares and be able to use promo codes during our big Boxing Day sale .

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These are the cheapest times to book your flights and when to travel

Picking the right day to buy tickets could save travellers almost 25 per cent, article bookmarked.

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Choosing the right day to book a flight can save people close to 25 per cent, with trips being even cheaper if you pick the right day to depart.

The advice comes as part of new research that found air travel is a leading cause of stress for 49 per cent of Britons, who find it more daunting than filing taxes or making small talk.

According to the 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report from booking giant Expedia , those booking return air travel from the UK on Sundays instead of on Fridays can save around 21 per cent on domestic flights and 24 per cent on international trips.

It’s the opposite way round when it comes to departing, however, with those flying on Friday saving an average of 26 per cent compared to those starting their trip on the Sunday, which is the priciest day.

The report recommends that people book their domestic flights at least five months in advance to benefit from prices 35 per cent less than if they are booked at the last minute, whereas those travelling international have the best price window eight to 23 days prior to departure for savings of up to 8 per cent – with Expedia stating that the worst time to book is 36–63 days ahead of the trip.

Of all the stressful elements of travel, experiencing a flight delay or cancellation is the most anxiety-inducing, according to the 2,000 people surveyed for the report, with 19 per cent avoiding morning flights as getting up early gives them additional stress. However, the data shows that flights departing after 3pm are 4 per cent more likely on average to be cancelled.

The annual Air Travel Hacks Report is “backed by an analysis of billions of data points and the most extensive air ticketing database in the world”, says Expedia, and completed through collaboration with Airlines Reporting Corporation and OAG, the world’s largest provider of flight information.

“Airlines are adding capacity and increasing service to meet the sustained air travel demand we’ve seen throughout 2023,” said Chuck Thackston, managing director of data science and research at ARC.

“Air travel has proven resilient over the past few years, with travellers increasingly taking to the skies for both business and leisure. Fortunately for those travellers, the cost of airfare has been below 2022 levels for most of the year.”

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Here are the best Boxing Day travel deals you can get in Canada

Save big on your next getaway.

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It’s officially freezing outside and with Boxing Day travel deals now in full swing, it’s the perfect time to book your getaway and save big while you’re at it. From major discounts on tropical resort packages to big savings on hotels and flights, the savvy traveller would be wise to take advantage of these incredible limited-time deals.

Take a look at the best Boxing Day travel deals in Canada and start planning your next adventure.

Redtag’s Boxing Week mega sale is now on, with epic savings on vacation packages to hot spots all over the world.

Right now, the discount travel website has deals ranging from 30% to 70% off.

Air Canada Vacations

Air Canada Vacations is having a Boxing Week sale, with deep discounts on getaway packages until January 2nd, 2023, for travel dates before April 30th, 2023.

The deals are applicable for select vacation packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, and select flights and hotel packages to California, Hawaii, Orlando, and Las Vegas.

Boxing Week has begun at Sunwing and all vacation packages are on sale. Yep, you read that right!

Until January 8th, 2023, you can save on every vacation under the sun as long as you travel by April 30th, 2023.

Recent Posts 13 incredible Boxing Day deals you can get in Canada right now Canada is banning single-use plastics this week & here’s what to know

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sunwing Vacations (@sunwingvacations)

Sell Off Vacations

Canadians can also save big on their next vacation on Sell Off Vacations, which is having a Boxing Week sale until December 25th. You can get a seven-day getaway for almost half-price!

Get the deal by booking online, calling them directly, or visiting a  store location near you .

Air Transat

Air Transat will have vacation deals at great prices during their Boxing Day sale this year. You can be the first to know about their best offers by subscribing to their newsletter.

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A local’s travel guide to Austin: what to eat, see and do in three days

Standout spots include food truck parks, honky-tonk hangouts and Lady Bird’s wildflower sanctuary

A ustin has become one of the most popular places in the US to move to, and also to visit. Droves of people descend on the city in March for the South by Southwest tech, film and music festival and in the fall for the Austin City Limits music festival. And Austin is one of the top five destinations in the US for bachelorette parties. Don’t let the bachelorettes scare you away, though. Austin is a great place to spend a few days, so long as you do it like a local.

My family and I moved to Austin 12 years ago, after living in New York for many years. I’ve also lived in Washington DC , the San Francisco Bay Area and Philadelphia. Austin has a feel all of its own: it has a world-class music scene, great food that now goes well beyond Tex-Mex and barbecue, Texas history and fun shopping and museums – all with less hassle than bigger cities in the US.

Here’s my guide to a long weekend there. In addition to picks for adults, I’ve included some recommendations for families that our kids (now teenagers) have loved through the years. And I’m vegetarian, so I’ve chosen some of the city’s best veggie eats options. Don’t worry, my meat-eating wife made sure that I included great barbecue choices, too.

Day 1: Pool party & pickles

Start your day with a walk or run on the trail at Town Lake (it’s officially labeled on maps as Lady Bird Lake, but locals refer to it as Town Lake). This 10-mile (16km) trail on both sides of a dammed portion of Texas’s Colorado River (a different Colorado River than the bigger and more famous one) is tree-shaded, beautiful and one of Austinites’ favorite places to exercise. If you have time, walk through Zilker Park, which is right next to the trail. If you have kids, go to the new and very fun playground at Butler Park, complete with a splash pad just up the path from the playground.

Austin was one of the cities that started the food truck scene in the US several decades ago, and now there are more than 2,000 food trucks in the city. Some are located in trailer parks that have multiple truck options and picnic table seating. After your morning at Town Lake and Zilker Park, have lunch at the Picnic food truck park, or the nearby original location of local favorite Chuy’s (the Tex-Mex chain is now expanding throughout the US). Other great lunch options include Green Mesquite and Carpenters Hall .

In the afternoon, go for a swim at Barton Springs Pool . Open year-round, this massive basin measures three acres and is fed by underground natural springs. It’s open throughout the day, and it’s free before 8am and after 9pm.

Head back to your hotel or Airbnb for a rest, and then get ready for dinner. Tonight is casual: barbecue at Terry Black’s , or if you’re vegan, the food truck Rollin Smoke for a fantastic vegan barbecue sandwich made with baby portobello mushrooms, spicy slaw, barbecue sauce and pickles. It’s my favorite vegan barbecue sandwich in Austin (who says you can’t have barbecue if you’re veggie?), and it’s located in a food truck park with beautiful old trees shading the tables. Rollin Smoke has very good meat options, too (I’m told).

If you have young children, head to Phil’s Icehouse . They have burgers and a full playground where the kids can play before or after dinner. Just don’t put them on the spinning flower after the meal. And be sure to get some ice-cream after dinner at Amy’s Ice Creams , a longtime favorite of Austinites. Amy’s is located next to Phil’s, and it’s so good we had an Amy’s truck serve dessert at our wedding.

After dinner, head out to see some music at one of Austin’s many local music venues. One of our favorites is the Continental Club . There’s a main club downstairs and the intimate Continental Gallery upstairs, where you can see local musicians in a cozy space. Other great venues include C-Boy’s and the new Moody Amphitheater . For full local music listings on any night, check the Austin Chronicle . And if it’s summer, look to see if Blues on the Green has a free concert that night. If you have kids, take them to the free Rock the Park concert series, produced by local radio station KUTX.

Day 2: Breakfast tacos, books & bats

Start your day back at the lake with a rowing workout that’s almost, but not quite, on the lake. Rō Fitness is a local studio that has outdoor rowing classes by the water. It’s way more fun than working out at an indoor studio.

You’ll need fuel after your workout. Grab a breakfast taco at Veracruz or Tacodeli or Tamale House East . Breakfast tacos are an Austin staple (they are to Austin as bagels are to New York), and all three of these places have delicious options.

Today is a shopping day. Start out at BookPeople , one of the greatest bookstores in the US. It’s locally owned and independent, but the size of a superstore. BookPeople also dares to take a stand on issues, including being one of two bookstores that recently sued Texas state officials over a newly passed book ban law. It has an excellent kids section, and organizes live readings by kids’ authors.

After you’ve gotten your book fix, head across the street to Waterloo Records , one of the best record stores in the US. Waterloo carries new and used vinyl, CDs and merchandise from rock to jazz to local Texas music. For more shopping options, head over to the stores along South Congress Avenue and South First Street (including Roadhouse Relics , a neon art store and gallery that is one of our favorites), and if you want to go thrifting, our teens say Austin Pets Alive Thrift and Texas Thrift are the best.

After all of the shopping, it’s time for lunch. If you’re near BookPeople and Waterloo, head over to Soup Peddler, a local place for homemade soups, smoothies and fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches (trivia: Soup Peddler got its name because the founder started out delivering homemade soup by bike before opening full store locations). Or if you’re near South Congress and South First, go to the food trucks on South First or Underdog or Fresa’s .

As you’re heading back to rest up, grab an ice-cream at Amy’s, a gelato at Dolce Neve or cupcakes at Sugar Mama’s .

Some good dinner options for tonight include Loro , Suerte or Este . And if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, one of my favorite veggie restaurants is Bouldin Creek Cafe . It’s casual, with a great menu that includes vegan chips and queso. If it’s nice out, take a seat on the patio.

Tonight’s activity could be going to see the bats at the Congress Street Bridge. Austin has the largest urban bat colony in North America, and in season they live in one of the bridges that crosses the Colorado River (they migrate to Mexico in the cooler weather). Bat-watching is a lot more fun than you might imagine from horror movies (and these bats look more like birds than vampire bats). If you’re not in the mood for bats, head to the legendary Broken Spoke . Get there early for dance lessons, then hoof it at this classic Texas honky-tonk.

Day 3: Live oaks & Lady Bird wildflowers

It’s your last day in Austin, and it’s a good one for visiting a museum. Some of our favorites include the Bullock Museum to learn all about the history of our state (bonus fact: Texas was once its own country , and some people want it to be its own country again ). If you’re a fan of 1960s history, visit the excellent LBJ Presidential Library , which is the home of the 36th president’s papers. It has good exhibits on the US civil rights movement and 1960s US history in general. Another excellent museum option is the Blanton Museum of Art , or you could tour the Texas capitol (Austin is, after all, the capital of Texas). If you’re a nature fan, head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center . And if you have kids, the Thinkery is an excellent children’s museum.

For lunch, it’s time for more barbecue (you’re in Austin, don’t fight it). Two terrific barbecue trucks are Mickelthwait and LeRoy and Lewis . And LeRoy and Lewis has another of my favorite vegetarian barbecue options: cauliflower burnt ends.

In the afternoon, head back to Town Lake. This time, get out on the water by renting a kayak, stand up paddleboard or paddle boat (a kid-friendly option). If you have time and energy for a drink, head over to the ABGB for happy hour. They have a great beer selection, lots of outdoor seating and local bands playing music.

For your farewell dinner, a few of our favorite restaurants that are a bit on the fancier end are Hestia , Uchi or the Lenoir wine garden, where dinner is served under live oak trees more than a hundred years old. And for a fantastic vegan option, go to Fabrik for a seven-course vegan tasting menu. You’ll need a reservation well in advance (they’re currently booking four to six weeks out). And for your final night in Austin, head out to another music venue. Or if you have kids, take them to the Austin favorite Peter Pan Mini Golf , which has been around for 75 years, or check Do512 Family for family events that are happening the dates you’re in town.

Question Time

When is the best time of year to visit austin.

There’s no dispute: it’s hot in the summer in Austin . A great time to visit is between October and May. From June through September, many days will be over 100F. If you’re here in the summer, spend lots of time at the Barton Springs pool.

Is Austin expensive?

Austin hotels can be expensive during big events like South by Southwest or the Formula One weekend. But for most dates, it’s less expensive than larger cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Will I need a car to get around Austin?

Most of the places that I’ve recommended are within walking distance from downtown. You can also rent bikes and scooters to get around. Austin’s public transportation is primarily through local buses, which can take you further out if needed. And car-share options are easy as well.

Steve Sachs is managing director of the Guardian US. He has worked at large and startup media companies for more than 20 years. He loves all kinds of music, and his most recent favorite concert, the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Show, featured a host of singer-songwriters including Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris

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Airline sales explained: who has the best sales and when

• Flight Hacking
• Airline Insights

When you’re planning to buy a ticket for a flight, should you wait for a sale? The answer isn’t as obvious as it seems... mostly because airlines can have a creative definition of “sale”.

We’ve been monitoring flight prices for over five years, and we’ve picked up on some useful insight and patterns in that time. Some airlines have sales seemingly at random, while others have them at the same time each year like clockwork.

Sometimes, a sale is a sale in name only. That “featured price” could simply be the highest price the airline thinks it can get you to pay. So, it’s important to know what a good price is for your ticket before you buy, even during a sale.

We’re going to break down when most airlines have sales so you’re prepared next time you plan to book a holiday.

Quick reference

The real deal

Air new zealand, british airways.

• Japan Airlines

Singapore Airlines

Virgin atlantic.

Worth a look 

Alaska Airlines

American airlines, cathay pacific.

• Lufthansa Group

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

Southwest airlines.

• Air France/KLM
• Thai Airways

What is an airline sale, anyway?

Just because an airline says they’re having a sale, it doesn’t mean you’re getting a great deal. Equally, if you buy a flight at a random time you could snag a bargain purely by luck.

When you think of a sale, you naturally imagine something the airline brags about with a special home page design and advertising for their “special fares”.

These official sales can be a great time to buy your ticket, but they’re not necessarily the best time. 

Flight prices naturally fluctuate throughout the year according to demand - you can read our article about how flights are priced .

What you need to know is that sometimes the best price on a flight isn’t announced at all - it’s only found in those quietest moments of the year when the airline notices a certain route isn’t getting much interest.

The best way to catch those unannounced deals is to track and regularly check a route you’re interested in. Or, sign up for our deal alerts and we’ll do all that for you so you never miss a true deal.

Do all airlines run sales?

All airlines claim to have sales, but we can say from experience that only some sales are worth paying attention to.

Many airlines advertise sales with prices only marginally better than usual, but you wouldn’t know unless you’re keeping track. Others might have decent discounts but still be way more expensive than their competitors for a comparable flight.

We’ve written this guide to help you separate the wheat from the chaff, using our five years of experience hunting the best flight deals out there.

How our ratings work

• The real deal: These sales are almost always as good as the airline offers. You should mark these dates on your calendar.
• Worth a look: A little hit or miss - it’s worth checking out their sales but you should go in already informed about what a good fare for your destination is.
• Forget it: This airline barely ever does a sale, or when they do the fares are average or even poor.

When : Black Friday

Air New Zealand does not do sales very often, but their reliable Black Friday sale is a doozy.

In the past, they’ve offered flights between London and Los Angeles for only £175 return (on a limited, first-come, first-served basis). 

They will usually also have a “headline” fare, which is an excellent deal, all things considered. 

Their other routes won’t be as special, but if you’re set on flying with them for features like the “Skycouch” then their sale is worth waiting for.

When : British Airways always has a worldwide sale starting on Boxing day and through to the end of January. Then, another toward the end of August that lasts for a month. In recent years they also do a sale during Black Friday at the end of November, with equally good fares. 

Generally, almost all of their long-haul routes will be discounted and as cheap as they will ever go. Some years have been better than others, but buying during their sales is never a bad idea.

For their short-haul flights, you can sometimes find slightly better deals outside of their official sales, but most of the time they’ll be excellent too.

Another nice thing about their sales is that they usually cover a good range of months - it’s not just a few dates here and there that are actually cheap.

When : Etihad sales don’t tend to align with any special events, but they usually crop up every 3-6 months.

If you’re looking for the cheapest routes to Australia (outside of Chinese airlines) this is your best bet. Apart from that, their sales often boast the cheapest non-stop fares to their hub, Abu Dhabi.

Their sales are also worth tracking for routes to the biggest cities across South East Asia: think Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Plus, you can occasionally get a great deal to Sri Lanka.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

When : Japan Airlines sales match British Airways’: December-January, late August and Black Friday.

As they’re part of the same airline alliance as British Airways, JAL also coordinates their sales with them. You can fly with either if you’re going to Tokyo or Osaka, but if you’re planning to go anywhere further afield, then JAL will have you covered. 

From Sapporo, all the way down to the Okinawa Islands, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal outside their sale events.

When : Singapore Airlines reliably has a sale on Black Friday. Sometimes they have one around Christmas and in Spring or Summer.

This one is extra sweet as they’re one of the top-2 rated airlines in the world! That doesn’t stop their sale prices from being as good as you’ll see to South East Asia. If you’re planning to go to Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia or Malaysia you should definitely be looking out for their sale.

Their Australian routes are also worth a look. Although other airlines go slightly cheaper on sale, you might prefer their cushier service and connection in Singapore.

When : Virgin Atlantic run their sales at the same time as British Airways: Christmastime to the end of January, in late August and a shorter sale over Black Friday.

The longtime British Airways rival can’t help but keep the rivalry going by running sales at the same time to many of the same destinations.

It’s usually worth checking both to see who’s cheaper, but Virgin Atlantic does have a few unique routes to Havana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Shanghai. If you’re in northern England their non-stop routes from Manchester to Florida, New York, Barbados and Jamaica should also be on your radar.

Worth a look

When : Aer Lingus’ best sales come mid-November - usually 7-14 days before Black Friday.

This is a good sale for flight deals between Europe & North America, including the Caribbean. As Aer Lingus also has lots of short-haul routes around Europe, you’ll usually see a nice mix of destinations that are often missed by other airlines.

Other than Black Friday, their sales are often underwhelming compared to their usual price fluctuations throughout the year. Best to track the price of the Aer Lingus routes you’re interested in.

When : Alaska Airlines do frequent sales, not only the big yearly sales events like Black Friday but also federal holidays like Labor Day.

Funnily enough, their routes to Alaska aren’t included in their sales as often as their routes to Hawaii and Mexican hot spots like Puerto Vallarta and San Jose del Cabo. 

Definitely worth checking out their sales if you’re on the US west coast, just don’t expect every sale to be as good as their best. They definitely scale their discounts up and down depending on their mood.

When : American Airlines' biggest sales are over Black Friday and in January.

You generally don’t need an official sale to find a deal on an American Airlines flight - their fares do fluctuate a lot, so you’ll find plenty of opportunities if you’re monitoring one of their flights.

It’s worth checking their winter sales out - they usually have at least a few routes with stand-out fares. If you have loyalty points to use, that’s usually the best time to redeem them.

When : Cathay Pacific consistently runs a sale during Black Friday.

Pre-pandemic, we always looked forward to a sale from Cathay, but they’ve not impressed much at all lately. Still, now that travel is returning to normal, it’s worth keeping an eye on them.

Their excellent non-stop service to Hong Kong is often the top pick, but routes across South East Asia and Australia are often included in their sales. 

It’s worth setting up price alerts for their flights because they often do “unannounced” sales at random times during the year.

When : They always do something over Black Friday.

Heading to Helsinki? Finnair’s BF sale is one you should mark on your calendar. For their other routes, don’t assume their sales are offering truly great deals. 

Finnair tends to price their flights in “phases”. They jump between very expensive, average and very cheap for a few months at a time, mostly with no announced sales. You can get very good deals with them to Asia from Europe, but waiting on a sale isn’t the way to do it.

Lufthansa Group (SWISS/Austrian/Brussels Airlines)

When : Historically, we see Lufthansa Group’s best sales most often in early winter (November) and late winter (February).

They usually do a “companion deal” that offers nearly half-price flights when you buy two or more tickets. This isn’t just for economy cabins, it usually applies to premium economy and business class too.

These airlines also do small, sporadic, announced sales to a selection of international destinations during the year. Sometimes they do voucher codes for a flat discount on all their flights. You can find them advertised on their homepage or if you subscribe to their newsletter.

When : They have a “sale” every week, more or less.

Truly the king of flight sales, Ryanair are “having a sale” more often than not. Occasionally, their sales take the form of a “buy one get one free” offer that’s particularly good for partners and families.

They’re more aggressive about reacting to the market demand than any other airline, so they’re one of the few airlines that you can fly cheaper short-notice flights with sometimes. Still, try to book at least two weeks before if you can.

Most of their sales (probably about 75%) are not worth your attention, but they’re worth checking out for the proper blowout fares that they can serve up now and again.

When : You can be confident that there’ll be a SAS sale for Black Friday and another over Christmas. They will generally also do a sale in the spring and a “back to school” sale in late summer.

This is a good sale to look out for - you’ll find much more than deals on flights to Scandinavia. Their route to Tokyo is often one of the highlights of the sale. You’ll also find plenty of deals between all regions of Europe and the USA.

Sale fares do fluctuate between great and just good, so it’s worth having a target price before you click buy. If you’re a member of Jack’s Flight Club, you can look through our old deal alerts to see their best fares. Hint, hint.

When : Southwest advertises some kind of sale every few weeks.

If we were writing this a couple of years ago, we’d be raving about Southwest’s sales. Their headline prices could be so good - sometimes $58 round trip with luggage on domestic flights!

Lately, things have changed for the worse. Their sales are nowhere near as attractive, and we often see great deals on their flights that aren’t part of an official sale.

Still, if you like having free flight changes and tend to pack a lot, they’re going to work out cheaper than the competition most of the time.

When : WestJet has sales over the Black Friday and Christmas holiday periods.

One of the few airlines whose “normal” fares are only somewhat higher than their sale fares. But hey, who doesn’t want to knock an extra 30-50 extra currency units off your ticket. An especially useful sale to look for if you’re interested in flying to Western Canada.

It’s worth noting that WestJet fares often go “unofficially” on sale - definitely one to track through the year.

When : Wizz Air usually participates in big events like Black Friday/Christmas sales and impromptu sales at other times.

We would call their sales “hit-or-miss” - many of their best fares aren’t part of some announced sale. When their sale is good, however, it’s often really good. 

They’ve really been increasing their destination network recently, so you can find amazing fares to Greece or the Canary Islands.

Even outside of sale time, it’s worth checking out their “Wizz Discount Club” membership. Adding it can (but not always) save you more money than it costs. Plus, you’ll get more discounts if you fly with them again in the next year.

Air France KLM Group

When : Very rare special event sales.

KLM & Air France don’t really bother with sales. KLM did have a 100th Anniversary sale a few years ago, but how often are those going to come around? 

We do see them sending promo codes out now and again, usually for a small percentage discount. The problem is the terms and conditions make them only valid for flights that are already too expensive to make it worth it.

On the plus side, their standard prices are on the low end most of the time and don’t fluctuate as much.

All Nippon Airline (ANA)

When : Extremely rare.

It’s a big shame that ANA never seem to do sales because they’re very highly rated. 

Although they advertise “featured fares” now and again, we’ve never seen them be truly competitive. Maybe one day!

When : Almost never. The last big Emirates sale we saw was in November 2018.

That doesn’t mean that you’ll never find deals on Emirates flights, but their announced sales are not special. 

Most of the time they discount only a few routes at a time, seemingly at random. Dubai is the most frequent destination you’ll find deals for.

When : Black Friday is your best bet.

Thailand’s official airline claims to have deals or a sale all the time, but they’re rarely anywhere close to good.

They are getting a bit better with time, thankfully. In the last few years, their Black Friday sale has had some genuinely good deals to Thailand and even to New Zealand with a connection.

Most of the time you’re getting nonsense, however, save yourself the time and inbox space.

When : They do have sales sometimes, but they’re barely worth mentioning.

Transavia, a Dutch low-cost airline, likes to have one price for their flights and then stick to it. 

That price can be a decent deal, so don’t feel bad about booking with them if they seem like the best option. You can be confident that they’re not going to get cheaper after you book.

That's it! We'll keep adding airlines to this list as we discover new patterns and trends. Send us an email if you have any questions or tips that we can add :-)

Tristan is an avid traveller and Chief Flight Hacker at Jack's Flight Club. He's currently waiting on the next great deal to tour Southeast/East Asia. When he isn't on the go he lives in Glasgow, Scotland with his dog.

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Is Boxing Day the best time of year to get travel deals?

• Last Updated:

Apr 9th, 2023 10:05 am

• Search this thread

Apr 2nd, 2023 8:58 pm

• Reply with quote

Apr 2nd, 2023 10:16 pm

sketty55 wrote: ↑ Just came back from a family trip to Florida on March break. Our first time travelling over March break, and still getting over the high travel costs. My barber told me over the weekend that he books all of his travel for the upcoming year on boxing day as Air Canada has a 40% off sale. He gets cancellation insurance and then cancels if needed as the departure day draws closer. Can anyone confirm this sale, and if boxing day is generally the best time for travel deals? Also looking for any general tips about booking time. Is it generally cheaper to book a flight or an all inclusive a few months in advance or weeks away from the travel date? Thanks!

Apr 3rd, 2023 1:40 pm

Apr 3rd, 2023 7:58 pm

sketty55 wrote: ↑ My barber told me over the weekend that he books all of his travel for the upcoming year on boxing day as Air Canada has a 40% off sale. He gets cancellation insurance and then cancels if needed as the departure day draws closer.

Apr 3rd, 2023 10:41 pm

Apr 3rd, 2023 11:09 pm

dr_torch wrote: ↑ I'd love to know what cancellation insurance let's me cancel for any reason I want. That company would have gone broke by now.

Apr 3rd, 2023 11:50 pm

Apr 4th, 2023 10:29 am

Apr 4th, 2023 3:58 pm

Apr 6th, 2023 9:01 am

Apr 6th, 2023 9:17 am

Apr 7th, 2023 10:38 am

Apr 9th, 2023 9:56 am

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Lot of sketchy (second hand / hearsay) info in this post First … most Cancellation Insurance requires a VALID REASON to cancel & process a refund Not … just the price went up Or you decided on a whim not to go Second … yes there are sales throughout the year (To everything there is a season ) But … when it comes to travel 90% of the time the rule of thumb is the earlier you book = the less you pay This is because … most things in the travel world Be it airplanes or hotels have a FINITE NUMBER of available spots (seats on a plane … rooms in a hotel etc) So as things book up … and availability goes down Prices go up Airfare Seat Sales will only give you a percentage off the current rate So if a ticket is now $ 500 and gives a 15% seat sale That’s only a good deal @ $ 425 If you didn’t book earlier … when the going rate was $ 300 Hotels are easier to “speculate” costs on Just book something REFUNDABLE (vs pay in advance non refundable ) And booking direct as a loyalty member should give you both the best current rate As well as the GUARANTEE … That if prices go down you can cancel & rebook Or in the case of some chains … like Hilton You call into the front desk and they’ll meet & beat the cheaper price with a further discount (Not to mention the perks + points = MONEY BACK that Members get on current + future Hotel bookings ) Every year we go to a relatively expensive sunny destination As we leave … we book the following year To get the best price possible Right there on site in the hotel (returning discount offer … not listed on website ) Booking is fully refundable (up to 72 hours before check in ) If we go … we know we’ve got the cheapest price all year If we don’t go … we lose nothing

Matt Jancer

Kathy Gilsinan

Adrienne So

David Nield

Brenda Stolyar

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These are the busiest times to drive home for Christmas this year

But if you are taking to the roads then driving after 7:30pm may save you getting stuck in traffic.

Christmas may be sung about as the most wonderful time of the year, but for drivers trying to get home for the holidays it can be one of the worst.

And as commuter traffic swells during the annual festive getaway, the busiest days on the road in the run up to Christmas are likely to be Thursday 20 and Friday 21 December this year.

Brits will take an extra 2.5 million car journeys on 19, 20 and 21 December, according to research by the RAC and travel analytics specialists INRIX.

Traffic jams and delays

When can police legally stop your car? This is what the law says

Motorists on the southbound M40 could also be queuing for over an hour and a half on Friday, with the section between the M42 Warwickshire and the J8A (Oxford) expected to be slowest.

Afternoon slog

Two portions of Christmas cake ‘enough to put you over the drink-driving limit’

“With most drivers setting out mid-morning, traffic will become heavier over the course of the afternoon and stay congested into the evening. Commuters, last-ditch shoppers and online deliveries will contribute to clogging the roads. Drivers are advised to seek out alternative routes to their destinations and use the latest technology for real-time updates.”

Boxing Day traffic

After Christmas, traffic is likely to peak on Boxing Day, when 6.9 million journeys are predicted. Thursday 27 December is estimated to be the next busiest day, with 4.4 million road trips.

Train strikes and engineering work will force more people on to the roads over the festive holiday. Northern and South Western Railway  staff are staging industrial action, while extensive engineering work will close lines running into major stations including London Paddington, Euston and Liverpool Lime Street.

The RAC surveyed 2,400 UK motorists about their travel plans, while INRIX analysed congestion forecast data.

Worst times to travel Wednesday 19 December – 3pm to 6.30pm Thursday 20 December – 11.30am to 6.30pm Friday 21 December – 11.30am to 6.30pm Saturday 22 December – 10.30am to 4pm Sunday 23 December – 4pm to 6.30pm Monday 24 December – 11am to 1pm Best times to travel Wednesday 19 December – after 7.30pm Thursday 20 December – after 8pm Friday 21 December – after 7.30pm Saturday 22 December – before 9.30am or after 7.30pm Sunday 23 December – before 11am or after 8pm Monday 24 December – before 11am or after 1pm

Take a look at  i ‘s new product review section,  ibuys , where you can find expert advice on everything from  Christmas gifts  to  kitchen appliances.

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2024 NFL Draft Winners and Losers Include Kirk Cousins, Bo Nix and the Jets

The NFL’s Warren Buffet will strike it rich again, Sean Payton gets his future QB, the Jets find a tackle for Aaron Rodgers and defensive players take a back seat to offense.

• Author: Conor Orr

Outside of the Michael Penix Jr. selection by the Atlanta Falcons, Round 1 of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night in Detroit was relatively low on juice. But the quarterback position was the strength of the first round with six signal-callers among the first 12 selections. 

Here’s a closer look at our winners and losers, which included coaches, general managers, quarterbacks, an offensive lineman and a few teams who likely came away disappointed.

Jim Harbaugh

After leaving the NFL amid a tumultuous relationship with the executive structure around him, Jim Harbaugh returns with more prestige and power than ever. This was obvious with the selection of Joe Alt. Harbaugh was pining for an offensive tackle all offseason and wanted the Los Angeles Chargers to be tougher and more physical, and reminiscent of the Wolverine team he left behind. Despite a duo of talented wide receivers on the board, Harbaugh remained steadfast to the plan. Should Alt develop on schedule—I know there were some valid concerns about his height and some of the quirks he has developed as part of his pass set—we will be looking at a very comfortable Justin Herbert two or three years from now. 

ORR: Loaded QB draft class is about more than Caleb Williams | VERDERAME: First-round pick grades | Complete draft coverage

Green Bay Packers

There is no greater complement to Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst than Raheem Morris taking Michael Penix Jr. at pick No. 8. Let’s think about what Morris is putting on the line here. This is the first draft pick of his second head coaching tenure. In short, a zero margin for error selection. Nevermind your thoughts on Penix; Morris saw what the Packers were able to do with Jordan Love and staked his first-round selection on a quarterback who, if all goes well, will not play for the next two years. 

Kirk Cousins

I did enjoy the “ Kirk Cousins was not pleased ” tidbit among all the insiders after the selection of Penix when Cousins seems to be missing the bigger picture. This absolutely gives him one more chance at free agency at the absurdly perfect time with multiple teams bidding for his services. This man is going to cash in again deep into his forties and have a chance to buy an NFL franchise faster than Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. The NFL’s Warren Buffet will strike again. In all seriousness, how are we not already projecting his age-37 season to take place in San Francisco after the 49ers’ refusal to sign Brock Purdy to a long-term contract? 

Nix was selected in the first round by the Broncos.

Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY

I spent some time with Nix during the pre-draft process for our digital draft preview cover , and I was struck by how humbled he was by his journey. Nix was benched and shoved out the door at Auburn where his father played quarterback. He had to transfer to Oregon, where he was labeled a product of Kenny Dillingham, and the following year set the NCAA record for completion percentage without the offensive wunderkind coach. He’s 24, having played his first college game against Justin Herbert and now gets to play under Sean Payton with the Denver Broncos. 

Speaking of Nix’s journey, Andy Reid’s quote to us a few weeks back in the cover story seems prescient. “We’re all happy these guys are throwing more at the college level,” he told me. Reid and I were talking about the fact that there are more older quarterbacks with knowledge of multiple systems entering the draft pool. Penix, Jayden Daniels and Nix both played at two schools and had more than 40 starts. I’m confident this is the new normal, and that we’ll see a less turbulent passage from the college game to the pros. 

I know that some teams liked Latham better than Joe Alt. And I’m sure that Latham would have liked to have been the first offensive lineman drafted in 2024. But, through a series of events that brought Brian Callahan to the Tennessee Titans, and, subsequently Bill Callahan to Tennessee, Latham absolutely lucked out. In my mind, the former Alabama tackle sidling up with the best offensive line coach in the NFL guarantees him a long and prosperous career.  

New York Jets

I had the Jets trading up for a wide receiver in my surprisingly half-decent mock draft, not because I thought that’s what they should do, but because I felt that’s what they would do. The one issue with being perpetually all in is that the eagerness from ownership can begin to lean on the decision-making processes of the general manager. The pragmatic move was to backstop two excellent veteran tackles in Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses with a raw prospect such as Olu Fashanu and that’s exactly what they did. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears selected Odunze and Caleb Williams in the first round Thursday night.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears staying at No. 9 with their second first-round pick and getting Rome Odunze feels like incredibly good luck. But with Ryan Poles, Ian Cunningham and the rest of that front office, it may just be an intimate understanding of the board. Odunze was my favorite receiver outside of Marvin Harrison Jr., and, more importantly, appears to be an elite human being which can be just as important when it comes to building a roster. 

Obviously, Cousins now understands that his time with the Atlanta Falcons will likely be defined by the guaranteed money on his contract. While I don’t know what he envisioned being 35 and coming off a torn Achilles, and I don’t think he’ll cause a fuss in the locker room, there is something difficult about having your replacement selected before starting a job on Day 1. Cousins is competitive and there will now be some additional pressure on him to accept a role of mentorship, which was thrust on him after the Falcons selected Penix. I understand why the Falcons waited to tell him, especially because Atlanta was able to fly under the radar and not become the target of a trade up from either Denver or Minnesota.  

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

The Minnesota Vikings GM should take comfort. Last year I questioned Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio for his maneuvering of the board and Caserio ended up with a playoff berth and dual rookies of the year. I wrote about the J.J. McCarthy pick here , but from a broader perspective, I wonder whether Adofo-Mensah was trying to get too cute. Instead of inching up for QB5 and then inching up again for EDGE2, why wouldn’t you go all in for one of those players? Specifically quarterback. Dallas Turner is great, and I had him projected to the New England Patriots in my mock draft because I felt like he’d fit a Belichick-inspired system. He’ll get along great with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. But this defense feels far away, and the way to ultimately compensate would be to elevate the offense to the point where they can outscore opponents consistently. Additionally, there were enough smart people believing that there was a serious talent dropoff after pick No. 15 to make me wonder if the Vikings were foolishly investing in a kind of Bermuda Triangle portion of the draft. McCarthy isn’t going to immediately be the quarterback who can put up 28 points per game. This felt like the draft for the Vikings to tear their shirts off and kick the door down. We certainly didn’t get that. 

Draft intrigue

Outside of the Penix selection, which surprised many (but shouldn’t, again, because the quarterback position was the strength of this draft, and was far superior to the middling defensive class that it represented a smart long-term value play), Round 1 was relatively low on juice. We knew that Caleb Williams was going No. 1 due to his refusal to play along with the pre-draft charade. He took one pre-draft visit and was throwing with his future teammates weeks ago. We also knew Daniels, for roughly a month, was QB2. And, again, the back end of this first round felt reminiscent to the 2013 draft, where the talent pool was relatively thin and centered on one side of the ball. This was a great draft for those of us who like to tout the fact that we got more than four picks in our mock draft correct, which usually means it’s a bit of a sleeper for those tuning in at home. 

Defensive players…forever?

Latu was the first defensive player selected in the first round.

The first defensive player selected didn’t go until No. 15. Laiatu Latu broke the longest streak of offensive players picked in the modern draft era . While this feels circumstantial—Latu, had he not come into the draft with a medical red flag, would have probably been taken in the top five, and this was generally a down year after a few consecutive seasons with strong edge rushing and defensive back presence—is there a bigger question to be asked here? I’m not saying defense isn’t important, but do we recalibrate our scales after every rule shift favors the offense? At some point, does it make more sense to simply amass more offensive talent than it does to build a stout defense? It feels more like the value defensively is in coordinators who can throw a diverse schematic library at an opponent, a la Steve Spagnuolo, than it is hoping to put together a group of shut-down corners who will inevitably get called for pass interference multiple times in a game for grazing the wide receiver’s nameplate. 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys trading down after hiding all offseason felt a bit like a middle finger to their fanbase. There were still some impact players on the board, but instead Dallas handed the pick to a conference rival who seems to be taking their disposition as a contender more seriously. The Cowboys are acting like the Patriots at the back end of the Tom Brady era, starving the roster of vital veteran talent and also just hurling draft capital into the wind. This has been a miserable offseason for Dallas, and it’s only going to get worse as the team attempts to lowball CeeDee Lamb, one of the best receivers in the NFL (who just got more expensive after the A.J. Brown deal ) and the best defensive player in the NFL, Micah Parsons (who shouldn’t rest until he soundly tamps down the Nick Bosa contract). Some teams don’t deserve good players.  

Las Vegas Raiders 

Brock Bowers is great, but how effective is a two-tight end combination when it’s Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell under center? Don’t get me wrong, I love a dynamic 12-personnel offense and I think it allows teams to negate a lot of deficiencies (perhaps helping the Raiders elevate their QB play by forcing more defenses into vanilla base-type looks). There was a reason I was so high on the Packers’ draft last year and why I’ve been bullish on the Chiefs to find an adequate TE2 for Travis Kelce toward the back end of his career. I don’t know ultimately how interested the Raiders were in taking a quarterback, but even if Bowers has a Sam LaPorta outlier season for a rookie tight end, it seems like the immediate value won’t be there. This was a wide-ranging QB class with a flavor for almost anyone, and for Las Vegas to miss out on McCarthy when it seemed like the Vikings simply had to toss in a few more nickels, may look bad in hindsight if the class of 2025 doesn’t offer any options.  

Buffalo Bills

Worthy adds more speed to a Chiefs offense featuring Mahomes, Kelce and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.

Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA

Buffalo handed the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes in 2017, and has spent the last half-dozen years suffering for it. And now it allowed the Chiefs to come up and draft Xavier Worthy, a dynamic, multi-tooled receiver with Tyreek Hill vibes who will contribute heavily to the new kickoff return setup and will be an immediate all-distance threat in an offense featuring speed motion more beautifully than any team in the league. Also, the Bills didn’t really net that much on the trade. According to ESPN analytics, it was one of the cheapest first-round trade ups of the past two decades. So, why on earth did they hand the biggest impediment to them reaching a Super Bowl an excellent player? I get that Sean McDermott has respect for Andy Reid, but how do you even let this call get patched through? Also, it’s not like we didn’t know the Chiefs were going receiver here. The Bills are in desperate need at the position themselves. 

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2024 NFL draft: Top prospects, storylines to watch ahead of Thursday's first round

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft takes place Thursday at 8 p.m. in Detroit, a night that could alter the future of many franchises. The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots own the top three selections, and many speculate those picks going to quarterbacks, which has happened three other times, most recently in 2021.

USC signal-caller Caleb Williams is all but certain to go No. 1, so the intrigue officially starts with Washington. Which quarterback will the new general manager, Adam Peters, take? That’s just one of the many storylines to watch on ABC, ESPN or the NFL Network.

Is Williams guaranteed to go to Chicago?

Nothing is guaranteed until NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium and reads his name but, essentially, yes. 

Follow along for live coverage of the NFL d raft

Williams, the consensus top prospect, threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football the prior year after taking the Trojans from four wins to an 11-win team. Williams threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and only four interceptions over 13 games in 2022.

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He will join a retooled Chicago team that traded for six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and signed running back D’Andre Swift in free agency this offseason. Williams will also be able to throw the ball to rising stars in receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet.

What will the Commanders do at No. 2?

Like the Bears, the Commanders have been desperate for a franchise quarterback for more than three decades. There was a glimmer of hope with Robert Griffin III, the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but multiple injuries over the next seven seasons led to an early exit from the league. Will this finally be Washington’s chance to turn around the franchise?

The Commanders have a new owner in Josh Harris and a new general manager in Peters, and both have been tight-lipped on whom they might select. But all signs point to either LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels or University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy after one of the most electrifying seasons in college football history. He threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions, while also adding 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. 

Maye, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, boasts the prototypical size for the position and has drawn comparisons to Los Angeles Chargers signal-caller Justin Herbert. After being named 2022 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year as a sophomore, he threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a junior.

University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who led the Wolverines to their first national title since 1997, is also reportedly being considered.

Patriots could look to trade down

New England is still looking to find a replacement for legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who left the franchise in 2019. Mac Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, looked promising as a rookie but saw production drop off over the last two seasons. He was dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. 

The Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett, though he’s not expected to be the long-term starter. Will they instead take whoever is left among Daniels, Maye and McCarthy? If not, a trade down with a team such as the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings or Las Vegas Raiders could be in play. All are searching for a quarterback and would give up a multitude of picks to secure that. 

The Patriots, who finished 4-13 last season and has holes all over the roster, could use those extra picks to expedite a rebuild. 

Which wide receiver will go first? 

For much of the past year, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has been the presumptive top wideout available. It’s still likely he is the first pass-catcher off the board, but LSU’s Malik Nabers and the University of Washington’s Rome Odunze have reportedly seen their stock rise enough this offseason to make it a competition. 

Harrison, the son of longtime Indianapolis Colts star receiver Marvin Harrison, is arguably the greatest receiver in Ohio State history. He won the Biletnikoff Award last season as the most outstanding receiver in college football after catching 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

Nabers will look to become the next star receiver from LSU, joining the likes of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Odell Beckham Jr. The 6-foot, 199-pound Nabers catches everything in sight and will provide a team with instant playmaking ability. He hauled in 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 scores.

Odunze, at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, possesses elite size for the position. He set a program record with 1,640 receiving yards last season, the highest total in the country and the third-most ever in the Pac-12.

Defensive players expected to wait

Generally speaking, this draft is known for elite offensive prospects. We could see five quarterbacks, six receivers and potentially double-digit offensive linemen picked in the first 32 selections. But let’s not forget about a few defensive studs. 

Pass rushers Dallas Turner (University of Alabama) and Jared Verse (Florida State) as well as defensive tackle Byron Murphy III (University of Texas) will all be in the mix to come off the board early. 

Sad night for Panthers fans

The Carolina Panthers finished last season with a league-worst 2-15 record. Top pick and quarterback Bryce Young struggled mightily as a rookie (though he didn’t have much to work with) and the team has many areas of concern. They should have the No. 1 pick in the draft for a chance to turn around the franchise, but alas … they have zero first-round selections. 

Carolina surrendered Moore, 2023 first- and second-round picks, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick for the chance to take Young last year. If he doesn’t improve quickly, and that’s a big if, it will go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history. 

Panthers fans can probably just take Thursday night off.

Greg Rosenstein is the sports editor for NBC News Digital.

65 Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Travel-Loving Mom

By Meaghan Kenny and Paris Wilson

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, it's high time to start shopping for the moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and mother-in-laws in our lives again. Whether you're celebrating with a large family brunch or taking your mom out for a spa day , a well-thought-out gift is always appreciated. For those who can’t be with their mothers this year but still want to send something to make her smile—we’ve got you covered. Below, we've rounded up dozens of thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas for all kinds of moms, from the ones who taught you to love the great outdoors to the ones who appreciate a trip to a winery, and the ones whose ideal vacation is sitting in a beach chair with a good book in hand.

As a reminder, Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 12, this year, so be sure to give a week or two of buffer time if you're shipping a gift directly to mom, or need to wrap it yourself at home.

Find the best gifts by interest:

For the outdoorsy mom, for the organization guru.

• For the spa devotees
• For the homebody
• For the beach lovers

For the the environmentally conscious mom

• For the mom who loves to cook
• For the green thumb
• For the wine connoisseur
• For the bookworm

For the coffee or tea lover

• Even more gift ideas

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Madison Flager.

The Daylite Backpack is simple, durable, and comfortable—all the attributes for a great hiking backpack . It features a large main compartment, a hydration reservoir, and an internal laptop sleeve. It's made from recycled polyester and comes in 12 colorways your mom will love.

These lightweight sunglasses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. While protecting your eyes from the sun’s beaming light, they manage to eliminate a harsh glare, too.

Treat mom to a new pair of hiking shoes for your next trek together. Merrell designed this pair with KineticFit Advanced footbeds that contour to the foot to create a custom comfort for rugged terrain and more support in the ankles. The outer shoe features a Vibram outsole, rubber heel, and toe cap—so you're protected from harsh weather conditions. It’s also made from 100 percent recycled laces, webbing, and mesh lining—making this the most eco-friendly Moab boot Merrell has released.

If your mom feels most at home on the trails and in a national park , she'll appreciate a US Park Pass. The annual card grants access to all national parks, monuments and, battlefields in the United States. At parks where per-person fees are charged, passholders can bring three adults in, so her friends or your family can tag along, too.

For the mom who swears by Marie Kondo, make the organizer in her happy with Bellroy's Tech Kit; it's filled with loops and pockets to give every cord and earphone its proper place.

Packing cubes are a game changer—and our editors love this personalized set from Paravel. It come with four cubes—a large, a medium, and two small ones—all of which are easy to wipe clean and even easier to store (just nest them all into each other).

No one wants to lose valuable jewelry while in transit or arrive at their hotel with a bag full of tangled necklaces. This pretty case from Mark & Graham will hold all her earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets the next time she travels for a special occasion.

This chic Metro sling bag from Monos will let mom move hands-free at the airport while still keeping her smaller essentials easily accessible. It can be worn across the chest or around the waist.

For the mom who picks hotels based on the spa

This spa-like duo promotes full body blood circulation with each glide. The Shape Shifter expertly works into muscles and aids in lymphatic drainage. The Featherweight Body Gloss assists with each movement, delivering intense hydration and collagen-enhancing goodness that plumps and smooths the skin.

The brand was started by Helen Yin and is deeply rooted in both her family's approach to stress relief and research that she’s done on ancient herbal bathhouse practices. The nutrient-rich bath blends feature hojicha tea, mugwort, jasmine flowers, and other ingredients that will help to release tension in the body with added skincare benefits.

Your mom can contour, tone, and firm her skin without even visiting the spa with the NuFace facial toning kit. It gently massages the face to smooth skin and decrease wrinkles over time. Use it with the gel primer daily for the best results and instant de-puffing.

We love a good robe here at Traveler , especially when it reminds us of something we'd find at our favorite hotel or spa. Parachute's waffle robe has long sleeves and hits around the knee, and is lightweight enough to wear year round, regardless of the climate.

Silk pajamas , without the hassle of having to wash by hand—a dream. This Lunya set, now available in a limited-edition light green hue, is the kind she'll want to wear to bed every single night. It's also a great set for hot sleepers as the silk keeps you nice and cool.

This bamboo bath caddy will elevate anyone's at-home spa experience . Not only does this one look pretty, it's so functional and easy to set up. Grab a book, some tea, and a candle to set up a spa-worthy bath from the comfort of your own home.

If she's not a Tatcha fan yet, this starter kit will convert her. Meant to soothe dry skin, it comes with a cleansing oil, polish, hydrating serum, skin cream, and eye cream.

La Mer's beloved serum, which moisturizes and smooths skin, makes a great gift for mothers who want a little extra pampering this year.

A spa gift card will help her support her favorite spot and have a reason to book an extra appointment or two. SpaFinder makes it easy to search for places by location and service, so she can book something close to home or on her next vacation.

Buying skincare products for someone else can be risky, but this starter set lets her sample some of the latest beauty trends to see what works. It comes with a micro-needle Dermaroller, Cloud Whip face moisturizer, a mud mask, and vitamin C serum.

For the homebody mom

Nothing makes a room feel as cozy and warm as lighting your favorite candle. Beloved candle brand Voluspa, known for its sleek glass candles with delicious signature scents, recently launched a refill system that adds an additional 60 hours of fragrance. Instead of mom buying a brand new candle every time she burns through one, she can simply refill the same gorgeous candle with her go-to scent, from Baltic Amber to French Cade Lavender.

Traveler readers went wild for these hotel-quality sheets, recommended by Jonathan Webster, the vice president of lodging at Geronimo Hospitality Group. If mom's in the market for an upgrade, we bet she'll enjoy this silky smooth set.

There's a good chance your mom is ready for a new pair of house shoes . Made from 100-percent Turkish cotton terry, Parachute's plush slippers are soft and breathable, with rubber soles for a solid grip.

Give your mom the best sleep of her life with these luxurious silk pillowcases from Brooklinen. Not only are they comfortable, they are also better for your skin and reduce hair frizz. Sweet dreams!

This dreamy sleep mask is soft, noise-reducing, and the wide elasticized band prevents hair creases. Mom can throw it in her tote to get some rest on her next flight.

For the mom who wishes they were on the beach

Petoskey stones are found deep beneath the sands of Michigan shores and are calcified remnants of ancient coral reefs. Shinola pays homage to the mitten-state with its Petoskey collection that features polished stones that are one-of-a-kind (just like your mom). The stacked beaded bracelet has been crafted with a silver closure and features a variance of tan colored stones that have the unique six-sided “sunray” pattern.

The canvas material makes this tote incredibly durable for the beach . The colorful stripes and leather metallic detailing gives it a playful yet striking look. It’s super spacious so it can hold all the necessities for a perfect beach getaway.

The vibrant and sunny memory of a walk along a sandy beach is hard to forget. The scent notes include bergamot, coconut milk, and musk—transporting mom to her favorite place.

Bring the smell of salty sea air to wherever she may be with Homesick's beach cottage candle, made with bergamot, plumeria, cedarwood, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber, and musk. And while you're at it, grab one that smells like her home city or favorite vacation destination, too.

There's no better feeling than getting home from a day at the beach, taking a hot shower, and slipping into a silky smooth robe. Whether or not the afternoon on the sand is in her immediate future, you can at least help her achieve that level of after-sun comfort with this Lunya robe. For silk, it's remarkably easy to maintain, given it can be tossed in the wash.

As summer approaches, consider upgrading your mom’s current ride. Bluejay’s Premiere Edition electric bike is made for paved bike paths. It can reach up to 20 miles per hour and provides 75 miles of cycling before it needs a charge. Although it looks like a blast from the past, the bike itself is loaded with the latest technology such as a control panel with USB charging ports that displays speed, battery life, lights, and mileage.

Traveler editors practically live in Girlfriend leggings when we work from home, so we can strongly vouch for their comfort level. Another plus: Each pair is made out of recycled water bottles, and comes in a reusable pink pouch instead of plastic wrap.

This Tree Napper blanket blends the benefits of a weighted blanket—better sleep, peace of mind—with the comfort of a big, cozy knit sweater. Plus, it's made with a plant-based tree fabric (Tencel), organic cotton, and a little bit of spandex for stretch.

Made entirely from bamboo and recycled plastics (even the laces come from recycled plastic bottle threads), Cariuma sneakers are eco-friendly and extremely comfortable. Moms will like this rose knit pair for city vacations and puttering around town alike.

For the Ina Garten–obsessed mom

It comes as no surprise that the Always Pan has a cult following: This all-in-one pan does the work of eight traditional pieces of cookware. It will save space in your mom's cupboards and make cleaning the dishes a breeze (what better gift is there than that?).

Upgrade mom's kitchen counter with a gift set from Brightland. Our friends at Epicurious categorized the design-forward brand's Awake oil as a top-tier olive oil; this set comes with a bottle of the good stuff, plus champagne vinegar, California orange blossom honey, and the spout.

There's no greater gift for a home chef than something from Le Creuset. The French cookware company makes the best of the best when it comes to pots, pans, and Dutch ovens. This essential oven will last forever. The hardest part? Choosing a color.

While Tartine's bread cookbook got a lot of love as everyone hopped on board the sourdough train in 2020, the San Francisco bakery's other cookbook is worth reading through, too. It comes with well over 100 recipes for breakfast pastries, cakes, cookies, tarts, and more.

For the mom who wishes she had a British passport, this loud and proud Smeg toaster will get a laugh. Like most Smeg products, it has a retro look and practical features, including six browning levels and a removable stainless steel crumb tray.

With Rifle Paper Co.'s recipe tin, your mom will have a much prettier way to store all those family recipes floating around in her brain, and any new ones she can't wait to try this summer.

For the green thumb mom

You know her birthstone and zodiac sign, but did you know every month has a birth flower, too? Satisfy her gardening itch in a low-key way with this all-in-one kit. It comes with seeds, a glass bottle to grow them in, potting mix, and instructions, plus a cork lid that doubles as a coaster for the bottle.

Blundstone's iconic Tasmanian boots have been around for 150 years, and can withstand anything from slushy winter sidewalks to afternoons stomping through the garden. The Chelsea boot is a favorite for being fairly light and super comfortable, with a leather upper and durable, slip-resistant TPU outsole. If she spends most of her time outdoors, these boots will become a go-to.

We've never seen a watering can as chic as Hay's—its matte color and sleek design are too pretty to keep hidden away in a closet or garage, making it both functional and decorative.

Bloomscape describes this plant's care level as no-fuss and carefree, making it a great pick regardless of her skill level. Plus, it's pet-friendly and will thrive even with partial lighting.

For the mom who loves to visit wineries

The Wine-Down tote is made from upcycled leather that is durable and both water- and stain-resistant. The unique design features a knot that serves as a handle. It's the perfect gift for a wine connoisseur who is always introducing a new bottle during dinner parties or girls’ nights.

For a zero-fuss way to make red wine taste better, she needs a decanter like this one. It's easy to use and easy to clean (it's dishwasher safe), and comes with a travel bag for the aerator, which can sit on top of any wine glass when using the large decanter isn't an option.

If a visit to wine country isn't in her near future, a wine delivery is the next best option. Sign her up for a subscription, or pick out a handful of bottles based on her favorite varietals or wine regions.

This is, by far, the most ridiculous gift on this list, but there is a mom out there who will absolutely love it. It is a suitcase meant specifically for bringing home wine safely, whether she's returning from California, South Africa, or Spain.

Traveler transportation editor Jessica Puckett found these vintage-inspired wine goblets that remind her of the ones she drank from in Italy on Amazon. Spruce up your mom's tablescape with a colorful set of her own.

For the bookworm mom

For the women in your life that have small scale libraries in their home, this scanner will help them to catalogue their books and stay organized. When paired with an app like Libb , users can set up their own library system on a phone or computer.

There are dozens of classics to choose from here: Adventures of Tom Sawyer , David Copperfield , Little Women , and The Call of the Wild among them. Any one of them would look great hanging in a study or bedroom.

It by no means replaces the feeling of strolling through a gorgeous library or bookstore , but a Libro.fm subscription does give her access to a boatload of books to be listened to whenever—on walks, while cleaning, working on a puzzle , coloring , you name it—all of which come from independent bookstores.

Our favorite e-reader for travel , the Kindle Paperwhite has an exceptional battery life, pairs with Audible to play audiobooks, and has a familiar, page-like quality book purists will appreciate.

Decorated with quotes from the greats, from Virginia Woolf to Oscar Wilde, she'll enjoying sending off these postcards to fellow literary friends (and keeping a few to use as bookmarks).

The sentimental mom who's not going anywhere near a Kindle will love stamping her collection of books; customize it to say “from the desk of,” “from the library of,” “ex libris,” or “with love from.”

This gift set is a sweet introduction to Big Island Roasters. The brand works with Puna farmers in Hawaii to create these alluring blends. This set includes Kona coffee, Ka’u coffee, Māmaki herbal tea, espresso bites, and an organic coffee lip balm. Hazelnut, honey and, chocolate are very present in the blends so it’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Since there's nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book and a cup of coffee, we're all for upgrading said coffee experience with a Nespresso machine. This version is a little more versatile than most, pouring both espresso and coffee (in five, eight, and 14-ounce increments), and comes with a milk frother, which really makes all the difference in upgrading at-home coffee .

This electric kettle won't only look pretty in your mom's kitchen—it's a game changer. It has to-the-degree temperature control, a 60-minute mode to keep things hot, a precision spot, and weighted handle.

More no-fail gift ideas

A cashmere cardigan is always a great gift for a mom that’s far away. The cashmere and slightly oversized fit of this Banana Republic cardigan feels like a warm hug. Plus, for a mom on the go, it’s a travel essential—easy to pack, easy to layer, and easy to dress up or down.

She's either a flower mom, or she's not. There's rarely an in between. But if she does appreciate a bouquet of flowers showing up at her doorstep, UrbanStems is your best bet for easy, fast delivery. The Good Vibes bouquet, part of UrbanStems' Mother's Day collection, is filled with peach and pink roses, delphinium, veronica, aster, ruscus and more.

She’ll notice her juicing time cut short—with 43 revolutions per minute to mimic the motion of a hand squeezing juice, the natural nutrients are retained while reducing the need to finely chop and prep ingredients. Plus, this slow juicer is equipped with an Easy Clean chamber set that simplifies (and speeds up) the cleaning process.

One of New York City’s most renowned and beloved bakeries has expanded on its famous banana pudding recipe, turning them into delicious cookies. Magnolia Bakery is a must-visit while in the city, but for the mothers who can’t make their way to the Big Apple—send a piece (or a few) to them.

Hamilton Princess & Beach Club Resor t just launched its first custom fragrance with Bermudian perfumery Lili Bermuda. Island Rose is inspired by the roses that bloom in Bermuda on the grounds of the iconic pink palace. It has notes of mandarin, pink rosa damascena, and soft white orris.

Add a little spice to everyday recipes. The Variety Pack features three sauces that will serve as your mom’s introduction to the world of Jamaican flavors and cuisine.

If you won't have a chance to see your mom in person for Mother's Day and want to send her an ongoing gift to make up for it, Vellabox allows you to customize a candle subscription based on your mom's favorite scents. Choose from woodsy, floral, citrus, and fresh notes in three different candle sizes. These can be sent monthly for six months, one year, or as a one-time-only gift.

A major upgrade from the traditional bouquet of flowers you usually gift your mom, these elegant eternity roses last a full year (yes, you read that correctly). Your mom can enjoy these on her desk at work or kitchen table until next Mother's Day rolls around.

Whether your mom is a beginner at the gym or a regular hiker , she needs to try the Bala power rings for herself. Press, hold, swing, and squat with these 10-pound props that evenly distribute weight for a user-friendly workout.