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Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year in the US. Millions of people try to get home on the same few days, so flights fill up, fares climb, airports get crowded and highways jam. You can't change when the holiday falls, but you can change when you travel, how you get there and how early you plan.
In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Here is how to plan the trip so it costs less and causes fewer headaches.
The busiest Thanksgiving travel days
Demand piles up on a handful of days, and fares and crowds follow it:
- The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving are when most people head out. Wednesday afternoon and evening is usually the worst time to be at an airport or on the highway.
- The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the big return day. Everyone wants one more day with family and then has to be back at work or school on Monday, so Sunday flights are often the most expensive of the week and the most crowded.
- The Saturday after Thanksgiving is busy too, as people try to beat the Sunday rush.
If you can only change one thing about your trip, move it away from these days.
The best days to fly for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day itself
Flying on Thanksgiving morning is one of the best-kept secrets of holiday travel. Most people want to arrive before the meal, so the early flights on Thursday are often cheaper and calmer than the flights a day earlier. Take a morning flight on a short or medium route and you can still be at the table by dinner.
The weekend before
Leaving on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday before Thanksgiving spreads your trip over a full week. If you can work remotely for a few days, this is often a cheaper way to go, and you avoid the midweek rush completely.
Monday or Tuesday after
Coming home on the Monday or Tuesday after the holiday usually costs less than flying on Sunday, and the airports are much quieter. Even returning on Friday or Saturday instead of Sunday can help.
For a deeper look at how the day of the week changes fares, see our guide to the cheapest day to fly.
When to book Thanksgiving flights
Holiday fares don't usually get cheaper as the date gets closer. Airlines know the demand is there, and the cheapest seats on popular flights sell first. A few rules of thumb:
- Book as early as you can. For a regular domestic trip, 1 to 3 months ahead is usually fine, but for Thanksgiving it pays to look earlier, ideally in the summer or early fall.
- If you haven't booked yet, book soon. Waiting for a last-minute deal is risky in Thanksgiving week. Prices on popular routes usually rise as the holiday approaches, and the best flight times go first.
- Lock in a fare and keep watching. US rules let you cancel most tickets booked at least seven days before departure within 24 hours for a full refund. Some airlines also let you change many non-basic tickets without a fee, so you may be able to switch if the price drops. Check the fare rules before you buy.
- Compare several sites. The same seat is often priced differently on different booking sites. Gotoesy searches many of them at once and sorts results cheapest first.
Popular holiday routes fill fastest, so start with the route you need, for example New York to Orlando, Chicago to New York, Atlanta to Dallas or Los Angeles to San Francisco. Each route page shows which months are usually cheapest and links to live fares.
Ways to pay less for Thanksgiving flights
- Try nearby airports. Many big metro areas have more than one airport. Flying into Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, Oakland instead of San Francisco or Midway instead of O'Hare can cost less, and smaller airports often have shorter lines.
- Fly at awkward times. The first flights of the morning and late-evening flights are usually cheaper than midday flights, and early flights are delayed less often.
- Book two one-way tickets. Outbound on one airline and back on another is sometimes cheaper than a round trip, and it gives you more choice of times.
- Count the real cost. Basic economy looks cheap but may not include a carry-on bag or seat selection, and it is usually hard to change. If you are traveling with a family, add up bags and seats before you choose.
- Use points and miles. Award seats around holidays are limited, but if you have points it is worth checking early.
Airport tips for Thanksgiving week
Leave early
Security lines are longest on the busiest days. Give yourself more time than usual, especially if you are checking bags or flying out of a large hub. Many airports post live security wait times on their websites, and the TSA has its own app.
Pack carry-on only if you can
Skipping checked bags saves time at both ends and removes the risk of a lost suitcase during the busiest week of the year. If you are bringing food to dinner, remember that liquids, sauces and spreadable foods such as cranberry sauce and gravy count toward the carry-on liquid limit. Solid foods like pies and cakes are generally fine. Check the TSA rules for anything you are unsure about.
Consider TSA PreCheck
If you fly a few times a year, TSA PreCheck can make holiday lines much shorter. Apply well ahead, because approval and the in-person appointment take time.
Have a backup plan
Late November weather can cause delays, especially in the Northeast, the Midwest and the mountain states. Download your airline's app, turn on flight alerts, and know which later flights could work if yours is canceled. A nonstop flight, even at a slightly higher fare, removes the risk of missing a connection.
Driving for Thanksgiving
Most Thanksgiving travelers go by car, so the roads can be as stressful as the airports.
- Avoid Wednesday afternoon and evening. Leave early Wednesday morning, or better, on Tuesday or Thanksgiving morning, when roads are often quiet.
- Come back early or late. Sunday afternoon is usually the worst time to drive home. Leaving Saturday, early Sunday morning or Monday helps.
- Check the car and the weather. Tires, wipers, lights and an emergency kit matter in late November, especially if you will cross mountains or drive north.
- Fill up before the rush. Gas stations near busy highways can get crowded on peak days.
Fly and rent a car
If home is a long drive away, flying and picking up a rental car at the other end can make sense. Rental cars get booked up over the holiday too, so reserve early, and compare prices at the airport and at city locations nearby. You can compare rental companies on DiscoverCars, and our guide on how to get a cheap car rental has more ways to save. If you are flying into Florida, see cheap car rental in Orlando.
Cheaper alternatives to the classic trip
If the fares for your dates look too high, there are other ways to do the holiday:
- Celebrate on a different day. Some families hold their big dinner the weekend before or after Thanksgiving, when travel is easier and cheaper.
- Take the train or bus. On busy corridors such as the Northeast, a train or intercity bus can be a good alternative to flying or driving, but holiday seats sell out too, so book ahead.
- Host instead of traveling. If several people would have to fly to one place, it can be cheaper for one household to travel instead.
- Make it a vacation. Thanksgiving week is also a good time for a trip. Places like Orlando and Las Vegas are popular, but the same rule applies: fly on the holiday itself and come back early in the week to save.
Already thinking about December? Our cheap Christmas vacation ideas cover the other big holiday rush.
A simple Thanksgiving travel checklist
- Pick travel days away from Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday if you can.
- Compare fares on several routes and nearby airports, then book.
- Reserve a rental car or train seat if you need one.
- Check your airline's bag rules and the TSA food rules.
- Turn on flight alerts and plan a backup flight.
- Leave early for the airport or the road.
Search cheap Thanksgiving flights
Frequently asked questions
- What is the busiest day to fly for Thanksgiving?
- The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are usually the busiest days, followed by the Tuesday before. Airports and highways are most crowded then.
- Is it cheaper to fly on Thanksgiving Day?
- Often, yes. Most people want to arrive before the holiday, so flights on Thanksgiving morning are frequently cheaper and less crowded than flights on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- When should I book Thanksgiving flights?
- As early as you can, ideally in the summer or early fall. Holiday fares usually rise as the date gets closer, so if you have not booked by late October, book soon.
- Can I bring a pie through airport security?
- Solid foods such as pies and cakes are generally allowed in carry-on bags. Liquid or spreadable foods like gravy and cranberry sauce count toward the liquid limit. Check the TSA rules before you fly.