Key takeaways
- June to August and December are peak season in Canada: prices rise by an average of 35% compared with low season.
- September remains the cheapest month to travel, about 26% cheaper than December, or nearly CA$160 in average savings per ticket.
- Thursday is confirmed as the cheapest day to book a flight, according to Expedia's latest data.
- March break (March 2 to 6 in Quebec, March 16 to 20 in Ontario in 2026) is also a school peak period, even though we do not have a precise percentage for that period specifically.
Everyone knows travel costs more during the Christmas holidays. But by how much, and which other months should you avoid if budget is your priority? We dug into real data instead of repeating the same generic advice.
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Peak season: June to August and December
June to August and December make up peak season in Canada. Prices are 35% higher on average than during low season. It is the direct result of summer school holidays and the holiday season: everyone wants to travel at the same time, and flight supply cannot keep up with demand.
| Period | Price tendency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| June to August | Peak season, up to 35% more | Summer school holidays |
| December | Peak season, up to 35% more | Holiday period |
| March break (early to mid-March) | School peak period | March school holidays, increase not precisely quantified |
| September | Cheapest month | Back to school, lower demand |
September clearly stands out as the cheapest month to travel: about 26% cheaper than December, or an average saving of CA$160 per ticket.
Why prices rise during these exact periods
- School demand concentrates millions of Canadian families on the same weeks, pushing prices up long before seats sell out.
- Airfares have also recently risen by 2.9% in one month, an increase partly attributed to fuel prices.
- Ancillary fees are rising too: Air Canada increased the first checked bag fee to CA$45 on flights to North America, the Caribbean and Central America, a 29% increase.
How to reduce the damage if you must travel in peak season
If your dates are fixed because they follow the school calendar, you cannot avoid peak season. But you can still reduce the price by paying attention to booking day: Thursday is confirmed as the cheapest day to book a flight according to Expedia's latest data.
And if your dates are flexible, September remains the cheapest choice of the year to travel, well ahead of other months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to travel from Canada?
September, about 26% cheaper than December according to the latest available data, or nearly CA$160 in average savings per ticket.
Which day of the week should I book my flight?
Thursday, according to Expedia's 2026 data, remains the cheapest day to book.
Is March break more expensive than the rest of the year?
It is a school peak period like summer and Christmas, but we did not find a precise and reliable percentage for March break specifically, unlike summer peak season where prices are known to rise by about 35%.
Why do flights cost more in 2026 than before?
Part of the recent increase (2.9% in one month) is attributed to fuel prices, in addition to ancillary fees like bags also rising: the first checked bag on Air Canada is now CA$45, a 29% increase.
We watch all-inclusive package prices departing from Canada and alert our members when a real drop appears. Our mission: make sun travel more accessible.