What’s the Cheapest Day to Book a Hotel? Here’s When to Click “Reserve”

If you’ve ever stared at the same hotel listing for days, refreshing it like it’s a stock ticker, you’re not alone. Hotel prices can swing wildly—even for the same room—and it makes you wonder: is there a secret formula? A golden day of the week to finally click “Book Now” and know you got the best deal?

Good news: there actually is. And it’s backed by data, not just travel lore.

So, What’s the Cheapest Day to Book a Hotel?

Sunday is typically the cheapest day to book a hotel. That’s right—waiting until the end of the weekend can often score you lower prices than booking on a weekday.

According to multiple travel industry studies (including reports from Expedia and NerdWallet), hotel rates tend to dip on Sundays. Why? Because:

Leisure travelers have already booked by the weekend
Business travelers tend to book early in the week
Hotels adjust pricing down to fill leftover inventory

The result? Slightly lower prices and better chances at finding discounted last-minute deals on Sunday afternoons and evenings.

What’s the Worst Day to Book a Hotel?

Tuesday is often the most expensive day to book. It’s when many business travelers are locking in reservations and rates spike accordingly. Monday and Wednesday can also carry higher prices for the same reason.

So, if you’re a flexible traveler, avoid midweek booking unless it’s an emergency—or unless you enjoy paying extra just for the thrill.

Does the Day You Book Matter More Than the Day You Stay?

Yes and no. Both affect pricing in different ways:

Booking Day: Impacts how much you pay for the room, especially if it’s last-minute or booked well in advance.
Stay Day: Impacts the rate based on demand. For example, weekend stays are usually pricier in big cities and cheaper in business hubs.

Booking a Sunday stay on a Sunday? Double win.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

This depends on the type of trip you’re planning:

Leisure or resort travel: Book 1–2 months in advance for the best mix of price and availability.
Business travel: 1–3 weeks out is usually ideal, unless there’s a big event in town.
Last-minute trips: Booking on a Sunday (or even same-day) can lead to serious savings—especially if you’re flexible on where you stay.

Bonus Tips for Booking Cheap Hotel Stays

Want to stretch your dollars even further? Try these tricks:

Compare sites AND book direct: Use booking engines to compare, but always check the hotel’s own website—sometimes they offer member-only rates or perks like free breakfast or upgrades.
Use flexible dates: Shifting your stay by even one day can cut your rate significantly.
Join loyalty programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, etc. often include discounted rates and freebies.
Book refundable rates first—then re-check later: If prices drop before your trip, cancel and rebook. Just make sure you’re within the cancellation window.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s the cheapest day to book a hotel? In most cases, Sunday is your best bet. Booking earlier in the week—especially Tuesday—can cost you more. But the real key is flexibility. If you can adjust your stay dates or hold off a little longer before locking things in, you’ve got a better shot at scoring that sweet, sweet deal.

Because let’s be honest—travel’s great, but travel with a discount? Even better.