There’s nothing like booking a a well-deserved vacation— research has shown that plan a trip Or choose a hotel alone can increase dopamine levels before you even take off. And if you feel like your daily routine drags on, traveling can make life longer in a more fulfilling and indulgent way. But determining the best time to fly can be tricky.

Travel too early and you risk being exhausted when you arrive. Too late, you will miss out on precious vacation moments. Flying on weekends tends to cost more, but traveling during the week eats into your PTO. There’s a lot to consider, so we asked travel experts and editors to give us their best advice on the best times to fly. For more advice, check out our guide on best time to book a flightdiscover the best ways to find cheap flightsand discover the best time of day to fly to avoid cancellations.

The best time of day to fly depends on what you’re looking for. If affordable seats are a priority, fly late in the evening, and if you want to avoid the hectic crowds at the airport, opt for that early morning flight.

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What is the best time of day to fly?

Early morning

A early morning flight can have many benefits. You’ll avoid rush hour traffic and manic security lines; you will be the first in line for coffee when you arrive at the airport; and, if you’re traveling short distances, you have the whole day ahead of you once you land. Likewise, the risk of flight delays is reduced for early morning flights. “If you are traveling on short-haul flights, I think early morning is the best time to fly, as planes generally have better punctuality at this time, as it is the first flight to leave the airport,” says Paul Charles, former director and director of Virgin Atlantic. CEO of a travel consultancy The PC Agency. “The later in the day you fly, the more likely the plane will be held elsewhere on a previous flight.”

“Even though I hate waking up so early, I try to fly as early as possible to maximize my time on vacation,” he explains. Charley neighborhood, Condé Nast Traveler United Kingdomthe commercial writer of.

Noon

Flying throughout the day is a much smoother way to travel. There are no daunting wake-up times or exhausting late-night arrivals, and you arrive much more refreshed. Flying becomes part of the vacation and the excitement builds as you join the crowds of fellow travelers heading off on adventures.

“I used to opt for an early outbound flight and a late return flight, but I recently decided it wasn’t worth it,” says Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler United Kingdomdeputy digital editor of . “Now I choose a mid-morning departure flight and like to land around lunchtime on my return. If you leave early, you’re broken throughout your first day, so you don’t have as much fun anyway, and if you come home late, you’re usually waiting, luggage in tow, until it’s time to head towards the airport. Besides, you’ll be exhausted all next week.

Evening

Evening flights can be very useful if you are looking for a cheaper option. Kayaka travel search engine, shares data with Condé Nast Traveler United Kingdom which showed that flights are generally more affordable early in the day or late at night. Plus, they’re ideal if you want to travel after work and arrive in time for a late night bite. “If it’s a short trip, I like to fly early in the evening so I can go after work,” says Abigail Malbonresponsible for growing CNT’s global audience. “Similarly, for long distances, it is preferable to take a night flight to be able to obtain a good night’s sleep and start adapt to the times to the place where I am traveling.