December 23 offers cheapest international flights for Christmas 2026

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 09:57 · Archive

December 23 offers the best balance of price and timing for international flights from the UK over Christmas 2026, with average fares at £615.

Research from the travel search engine KAYAK has analysed flight prices over the Christmas 2026 period to identify the best day for UK travellers to depart. The findings show that December 23 offers the sweet spot for international departures, balancing both cost and timing considerations.

Average return economy fares on December 23 are priced at £615, which represents a 36% saving compared with December 19. December 19 emerges as the most searched and most expensive day to depart during the festive period, making it the day travellers should avoid if seeking lower prices.

Those willing to fly on Christmas Eve can secure even greater savings, with average return fares dropping to £584. For passengers departing after Christmas, New Year's Eve offers the lowest fares of the entire festive period, averaging just £275.

According to last year's trends examined by KAYAK, booking international flights approximately six weeks before Christmas offered the best value. Prices were found to rise by 15% during the final week before the holiday, highlighting the importance of early planning.

Rachel Mumford, UK travel expert at KAYAK, advised that flexibility over departure and return dates can help travellers maximise their budget. She suggested that comparing nearby departure and return dates is a useful starting point for securing better fares.

How it is being reported

• The best Christmas travel day to avoid soaring flight prices revealedThe travel search engine KAYAK has revealed the best day to fly out from the UK for Christmas 2026 in terms of costWestmorland Gazette · 26 Oct, 09:43
• The best Christmas travel day to avoid soaring flight prices revealedThe travel search engine KAYAK has revealed the best day to fly out from the UK for Christmas 2026 in terms of costCumberland News · 26 Oct, 09:43
• The best Christmas travel day to avoid soaring flight prices revealedThe travel search engine KAYAK has revealed the best day to fly out from the UK for Christmas 2026 in terms of costWhitehaven News · 26 Oct, 09:43
• The best Christmas travel day to avoid soaring flight prices revealedThe travel search engine KAYAK has revealed the best day to fly out from the UK for Christmas 2026 in terms of costNW Evening Mail · 26 Oct, 09:43

In this story: KAYAK · UK

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