Best Times to Fly and Travel: How to Beat the Crowds and Save Money

Learn how to avoid crowds, save money and enjoy a stress-free journey.

We’ve all been there: You’re stuck in security behind a family of seven who apparently packed their entire house in carry-ons or the line hasn't moved in 20 minutes and your dream vacation is starting to feel further and further away. Meanwhile, a seasoned business traveler breezes through the empty priority lane, looking well-rested and suspiciously happy.

Well, what if we told you that YOU could be the traveler everyone envies — the one skipping out on the crowds and maddening wait times? Plot twist. It’s not always about paying for priority access. (Although if that’s more your style, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are great options!) It's about knowing when everyone else is staying home.

What Are the Best Days of the Week to Fly?

Remember last Thanksgiving when you promised yourself "never again" after spending more time in the security line than with your actual family? Let's make good on that promise.

Travel experts report that flying on Tuesday or Wednesday after Thanksgiving instead of Sunday can save travelers both airfare and wait times, and that’s generally true for every week of the year. Even better yet, fly on Thanksgiving day if your family plans allow for it. Saturdays, Wednesdays and Tuesdays are also typically the best days to book a flight if you’re looking for lower rates and less hassle. Want to hear how this strategy works in real life? Check out one of our ONT frequent flyers' recommendation:

“I love extending a three-day weekend (with a Monday holiday) by a day or two.  Most people who do the same will typically leave on Thursday or Friday and fly back on Monday, but I’ve found that leaving on Saturday and coming back on Tuesday or Wednesday means fewer crowds, better prices, and the same amount of vacation time used!” — Quinn Annelin, Director of Air Service Development at ONT

Now, what months should you plan to fly in? Peak periods, like summer and the days surrounding major holidays, usually mean packed airports and higher prices. In contrast, spring and fall, known as non-peak travel seasons or shoulder seasons, generally offer mild weather, fewer tourists and better deals. Think September in Europe after the summer crowds have gone back to work and school, or early December in the Hawaiian islands before the holiday rush. The long lines? Gone. The prices? Cheaper. Your Instagram photos? Blissfully tourist-free.

Oh, and that 5 a.m. flight everyone complains about? Book it. Yes, waking up at 3 a.m. is borderline criminal. But you know what's worse? Missing quality vacation time standing in security lines.

“My favorite travel tip is using Apple/Google Maps to gauge traffic on the specific day and time you are traveling. I like to set my arrival time for when I want to be at the airport and then leave 10 minutes before the suggested leaving time to account for any potential traffic.” — Aida Yeung, Marketing Specialist at ONT

An even smarter option? Start your journey from Ontario International Airport (ONT), where even during peak travel periods our travel experience means less time in lines and more time living your best life.

Why Flying Off-Peak Saves You Money
 

Your Wallet Will Actually Thank You  

Let's talk money, because we're all friends here. Peak season prices are like those designer items nobody actually needs but everyone thinks they want: overpriced and ultimately disappointing. 

Flights, hotels and activities are often significantly cheaper during off-peak seasons, and many major accommodations offer deal packages to try to bring in more traffic. With fewer travelers competing for the same resources, you’ll find better prices and more availability.

Enjoy a More Relaxed Experience

Remember personal space? That thing we all pretended wasn't important until the pandemic made us hyper-aware of every person breathing within a six-foot radius? Off-peak travel brings that luxury back.

Picture yourself at the Louvre, actually seeing the Mona Lisa instead of seeing the backs of 200 people's heads. Imagine walking into a restaurant and getting a table without having made reservations three months in advance. Visualize an entire row to yourself on the plane (the holy grail of travel perks) or fewer people crowding the gates before you board the plane.

Pro Tip: Even during off-peak seasons, stick to the two-hour early arrival for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Yes, security might be quicker, but that just means more time to browse art on display through our Art at ONT program, enjoy a beer at Brewery X, or have a nice pre-flight meal without inhaling it like you're participating in a speed-eating contest.

The Upgrade Lottery

Here's something the travel industry doesn't advertise: when flights aren't full, your chances of scoring an upgrade skyrocket. It's basic math — fewer premium passengers means more empty premium seats, and airlines would rather fill them with loyal customers than let them fly empty.

We’re not saying book an off-peak flight and expect to be whisked away to first class, but your odds are significantly better than during peak season when those premium cabins are already filled.

Destination Timing: The Local Advantage

Avoiding crowds doesn’t stop at the airport; it’s just as important when you land. Every destination has its own peak seasons, busy hours, and hidden opportunities to explore when everyone else is asleep or at home. A little research goes a long way in making sure you get the best experience possible!

Know When (and Where) to Go

Paris in August? Ghost town (all the locals flee to the beach). Disneyland in September? Blissfully manageable (when kids head back to school). Bali during the rainy season? Still gorgeous with sudden dramatic downpours that clear in an hour, leaving you with lush landscapes and half-price luxury villas.

Look up local travel trends to find the sweet spot — those golden windows when the weather is great, the prices are reasonable and you won’t be elbowing your way through a crowd.

The Early Bird Gets a Great Vacation

Many of us are not naturally morning people. Our bodies believe that 5 a.m. exists only in theory, not in practice. But if you’re an early bird (or willing to be for a few days), the advantage can be huge!

Popular attractions and excursions tend to be quietest first thing in the morning, meaning you can be front-and-center for those bucket-list moments without being photo-bombed by a hundred strangers. Plus, by getting the momentum going earlier, you’ll finish your sightseeing sooner and have the rest of the day to relax or explore while everyone else fights the crowds.

Lean Into the Shared Experience

Let’s be real, not every trip can be perfectly crowd-free. Instead of stressing over a packed plaza or a busy museum, try embracing the energy around you. Chat with fellow travelers, swap recommendations and soak in the shared excitement of discovering a place together. Sometimes, the people you meet along the way become the best part of the journey.

Your ONT Advantage: Where Smart Travel Begins

The next time you're planning a getaway, think beyond the destination. Consider the when as carefully as the where.

Take Ontario International Airport for example. While LAX travelers are still circling for parking spots (legend has it some have been searching since 2019), you'll find convenient, accessible parking options at ONT right next to the terminals. You can even pre-book your parking, giving you one less thing to stress about. Instead of battling through crowded terminals, you’ll enjoy our streamlined security process that actually respects your time and sanity. Need someone to see you off or welcome you home? Our ONT+ Visitor Pass program allows friends and family to accompany you through security, making those goodbyes (or welcome homes) more meaningful than a hurried curbside drop-off. And with our range of airport amenities and transportation options, your journey starts on the right foot — relaxed, organized, and actually enjoyable. Novel concept, right?

Plan your perfectly timed escape today with ONT's nonstop destinations. Because life's too short for vacation stress.