Source: Business Insider

If you’re traveling for Christmas this year, you’ve probably already started researching flights for you and your family.

This process can leave you feeling a bit like you’re on a mining expedition, sifting through mountains of junk in the hopes of finding that rare gem of a deal.

Our number crunchers here at CheapAir have simplified what can be an overwhelming process in order to clearly identify which dates of travel offer the best overall value.

Here’s what we’ve unearthed*:

Cheapest departure days: Thursday December 18th, Wednesday December 24th, Christmas Day

Cheapest return days: Wednesday, December 31st, Tuesday, January 6

Cheapest overall itinerary: Thursday, December 18th to Christmas Day

Cheapest “practical” itinerary: Wednesday, December 24th to Wednesday, December 31st

Average savings flying on the cheapest departure days: $101

Average savings flying on the cheapest return days: $142

(*average savings compared to most expensive travel days)

As you calculate the overall monetary cost of your flight, don’t forget to factor in intangibles like convenience and weather when choosing an air itinerary this holiday season.

Sometimes the lowest ticket price is not always the best overall value if you look at things a bit more with the big picture in mind.