Most flight-deal advice is either outdated myth ("book on a Tuesday") or a plug for a specific tool. Here's a method that doesn't depend on either — just a sequence that consistently surfaces better fares.
Step 1: Search with flexible dates first
Before locking in exact dates, use a flexible-date or "whole month" search view to see how fares shift by even 2–3 days in either direction. It's common to find a fare $80–150 cheaper just by shifting a departure by a day or two.
Step 2: Check nearby airports on both ends
Search departure and arrival airports within a reasonable extra travel distance (an hour or two by ground transport). A secondary airport fare plus a cheap bus or train connection is frequently still cheaper than the "convenient" direct option.
Step 3: Book the international leg 6–10 weeks out
For most international routes, fares tend to be most favorable roughly 6–10 weeks before departure — earlier than that and airlines haven't released their best fares; later than that and the cheap seats are usually gone. This is a general pattern, not a guarantee, so still compare against a flexible search.
Takeaway: Flexible-date and nearby-airport searches consistently find more savings than any single "best booking day" myth — check both before you commit to specific dates.