Vacation Time? Nope! How to Nail 2024's Long Weekends

Seven federal holidays in 2024 fall on Mondays, creating long weekends for travelers.

Employers may grant time off for these holidays, and schools often close as well.

The long weekends include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents Day,

Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day.

Additional federal holidays in 2024 are Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Midweek flights and hotel stays tend to be cheaper than weekends.

Avoid adding days before the weekend as it often increases costs.

Opt for Saturday departures and return on Tuesday or Wednesday to save on travel expenses.

Monitoring prices four to five months ahead for domestic trips is recommended.

Use tools like Hopper to find the best times to book flights and avoid booking too far in advance, as it might cost more.

The optimal booking time for domestic flights is usually one to three months before departure and three to five months for international flights.