When Is the Best Time to Book a 2027 Summer Holiday?

Our Thomas Cook travel team recommends planning your summer holiday early, especially if you’re tied to school dates or have a specific hotel in mind. Here’s when to book, what happens during the travel industry’s January rush and what you gain by getting ahead of the game for summer holidays 2027.

When’s the best time to book a 2027 summer holiday, at a glance?

The post-Christmas period is the best time to book a 2027 summer holiday for the widest choice and lowest deposits. Boxing Day is when many families start turning their thoughts to next summer, and demand for the best dates and rooms builds quickly through to the end of January. So, getting your booking in early gives you more flexibility over the details that matter, from travelling on the right day to finding the room your family needs.

As Nicholas Smith, our Dynamic Packages Director, explains, “If you’re travelling in the school holidays, getting in early can make a real difference. Family rooms and the most convenient flights can fill up quickly, so waiting until later could mean missing out on the holiday you had in mind.”

We currently offer deposits from £19pp, meaning you’re not paying the full holiday balance upfront. See what’s available for 2027 summer holidays.

When is the peak booking period and why does it matter for 2027?

The busiest time of year for holiday bookings begins on Boxing Day and runs through January as people start planning the year ahead. Christmas is over, a new year is approaching and attention turns to the next big date in the calendar: the summer holiday. It’s when lots of our customers start turning those summer plans into actual bookings.

For summer 2027 holidays, booking ahead is about having more options before availability starts to change. You might still find the same hotel a few months later, but the family room you wanted or flights that work with your school dates may have gone. This matters even more for larger families, as hotels often have fewer rooms that sleep four, five or more people.

“We often see family rooms get booked up first,” says Nick. “The hotel might still be available, but the room your family needs may not be.”

What do you gain by booking during the Boxing Day rush?

Booking before the end of January can make it easier to find the holiday you want, with more time to plan and pay for it too.

As Nick explains: “Waiting can work if you’re flexible on when and where you travel. But if you have set dates, an airport you want to fly from or a certain room type in mind, you may have fewer options later on.”

More flexibility over your dates

If you can only travel during the school summer holidays, moving your trip by a day or two may not be possible. Booking earlier means you’re more likely to find the dates you need and flights from your preferred UK airport. Wait until later and you might still find the hotel you want, but not the flights that work for you.

A better chance of getting the room you need

For families, booking ahead can mean a better chance of getting the room set-up you need, especially if you want connecting rooms or a larger family room. You’ll also have more board options to choose from, whether that’s Room Only, Bed & Breakfast, Half Board or All Inclusive holidays, making it easier to find what fits your budget and plans.

Longer to budget for the holiday

Booking months ahead also allows you longer to plan and pay for your holiday, which can make a bigger summer trip easier to budget for. There are trade-offs, though. Prices can change and great late deals do pop up – so if you'd rather wait, that's fine. Just remember, booking early usually means the widest choice of dates, rooms and prices, before the best ones get snapped up.

When do 2027 summer holidays go on sale?

There's no single "on sale" date for summer 2027 – it's down to each airline and hotel. They release their seats, schedules and rooms on their own timelines, sometimes well over a year ahead. That's why some 2027 summer holidays are already up for grabs, while others will land on the site as more airlines and hotels confirm their plans over the coming months.

Once your dates have been released, you don’t have to wait until Boxing Day to make a decision. Check current summer 2027 holidays to see which destinations and departure dates are already on sale.

Booking on a budget – 2027 value picks

If you’re planning a holiday in 2027, getting organised early can help you get more for your budget, but there’s no single date that guarantees the cheapest price. If you have some flexibility, try shifting your departure by a day or two, or checking flights from another UK airport. Tied to the school holidays? Comparing a few destinations or hotels can help instead.

It’s also worth looking at the total cost of your trip, not just the headline price. A cheaper hotel or board basis may not save you money once you factor in meals, drinks and anything else that’s not included. If budget is your priority, check out our cheap holidays 2027 to see the latest offers and where your money could take you.

Package vs booking separately

With a package holiday, your flights and hotel are booked together and covered by the package travel regulations. Thomas Cook package holidays that include a flight are ATOL protected under ATOL number 11806, and your money’s held securely in a trust account to give you added financial protection. We’re also an ABTA member, P8283/Y6720, for your peace of mind.

Having everything together can make planning your summer holiday simpler, as well as giving you extra protection if something goes wrong. And if you’d like more of your holiday costs covered before you travel, take a look at All Inclusive holidays too, where meals, drinks, entertainment and activities are included as part of your stay.

FAQs

When’s the best time to book a 2027 summer holiday?

If you need school-holiday dates, a specific UK airport or a family room, booking sooner gives you more options. Boxing Day through January is the busiest booking period for summer holidays. But if the holiday you want is already on sale before then, there’s no reason to wait.

Why is Boxing Day such a busy time to book holidays?

Boxing Day is traditionally the start of the busy New Year holiday booking period that runs through January. It’s when lots of people start booking their summer holidays, so dates, flights and family rooms can get snapped up.

How much deposit do I need to book a 2027 holiday?

You can currently book eligible Thomas Cook holidays with a deposit from £19pp. You’ll see exactly how much you need to pay when you choose your trip, and booking ahead gives you longer to pay off the remaining balance before you travel.

When do 2027 summer holidays go on sale?

There isn’t a single release day covering every destination, airline and hotel. Check current 2027 summer holidays to see what’s already available to book, especially if you have fixed dates and want to start planning before the January rush.

Is it cheaper to book a summer holiday early or late?

There’s no guarantee that either booking early or waiting until later will get you the lowest price. If you’re flexible with your dates, airport and destination, you may find a late deal. But if you’ve got your heart set on a certain hotel or need to travel during the school holidays, booking sooner can help you find what you want.

Start planning your summer 2027 holiday

The post-Christmas period is a key time to book if you have fixed dates or know which room type you need, but you don’t have to wait until Boxing Day to start planning. If next summer is already on your radar, take a look at the 2027 summer holidays available now and start finding the one that works for you.

About the author

Samii is an experienced SEO specialist and travel writer with a passion for off-grid adventures and curated package holidays. With over 20 years in digital marketing and content strategy, she helps holidaymakers uncover hidden gems around the world - from remote forest cabins to secluded coastal villages. Guiding thousands of holidaymakers toward unique, unforgettable experiences, when she's not deep in SEO or writing up her latest travel tips, you’ll probably find her cruising the UK’s canals on her narrowboat, with a good cup of tea and the countryside drifting by.