When’s the cheapest time to book a summer holiday?
For most summer holidays, booking two to six months before you travel usually gives you the best mix of price and choice. If you’re travelling during the school holidays, booking earlier is often the best way to secure the hotel you want before prices start to climb.
It’s tempting to hold out for a last-minute bargain, but that approach works best if you’re flexible about where and when you travel. If you’ve got your heart set on a particular hotel, need a family room or can only travel during the school holidays, leaving it too late could mean paying more or missing out altogether.
If your dates aren’t set in stone, try searching a day or two either side of when you’d ideally like to travel. Midweek departures and avoiding the busiest school holiday weekends can sometimes save you more than changing destinations, and you may have a wider choice of hotels too.
Where to go for a summer holiday that offers great value
Choosing the right destination can make just as much difference to your holiday budget as choosing the right time to book. Looking beyond the price you see first can sometimes save you money overall. What’s included, how much you’ll spend once you’re there and even how easy it is to get around can all have an impact.
• Portugal – If you’re looking for an easy beach holiday that doesn’t stretch your budget, Portugal is hard to beat. Short flight times and a wide choice of resorts make it easy to compare different holidays and find one that fits your budget. Browse our holidays to Portugal.
• Turkey – One of the biggest advantages of Turkey is its choice of All Inclusive hotels. With meals and drinks already paid for, it’s easier to relax without keeping an eye on every bill. Explore our cheap holidays to Turkey.
• Spain – From the Costas to the Balearic and Canary Islands, Spain gives you plenty of resorts to compare. If you’re open to a few areas, you could find a similar holiday for less. See our cheap holidays to Spain.
• Malta – Malta is small enough that you won’t spend hours travelling from one place to another. You can easily fit in beach days, historic towns and boat trips without stretching your budget. Discover our cheap holidays to Malta.
• Greece – If you’ve always had your eye on Greece, don’t stop at the best-known islands. Looking at mainland resorts as well could help you find a similar holiday at a lower price. Take a look at our cheap holidays to Greece.
• North Africa is worth considering if reliable sunshine and good-value hotels are high on your list. You’ll also find plenty of All Inclusive hotels to choose from.
Fancy a change from the beach? City breaks like Kraków can be a more affordable way to get away in summer, especially if you’re travelling outside the school holidays.
How to find cheap flights
If you’re booking flights yourself, start by comparing a few options rather than the first fare you find. Flying midweek instead of at the weekend, travelling a day or two earlier or later, or checking another airport within easy reach can all bring the price down, especially during the summer holidays.
If your travel dates are flexible, it’s also worth keeping an eye on airline sales. Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 regularly run promotions throughout the year, and if the flights you’re looking for are included, you could cut the cost of your holiday.
Before you book, take a moment to check what’s included in the fare. Hold luggage, seat selection and transfers can quickly add to the total cost, so the cheapest ticket isn’t always the best-value option.
If you’re weighing up a cheap package holiday as well, compare what the whole trip will cost. Once you’ve added flights, accommodation, transfers and extras, a package holiday can sometimes offer better value, with everything booked in one place.
Package vs DIY: which is actually cheaper – and safer?
A package holiday isn’t always the cheapest option to book. But once you’ve priced up flights, accommodation, transfers and any extras, you might find it costs less than booking everything yourself. That’s often true for resort holidays, where you’ll usually need flights, accommodation and transfers anyway.
Booking everything together also means less to organise before you go, with your flights, hotel and transfers all taken care of as part of the same booking.
Before you decide, compare both our package holidays and cheap All Inclusive holidays. Paying a little more upfront can sometimes leave you spending less once you’re away.
All Inclusive vs self-catering: which offers better value?
It depends on the kind of holiday you want – neither is necessarily better value. If you’re happy to cook some meals yourself and keep an eye on what you spend, self-catering can help keep costs down. If you’d rather pay for most of your food and drinks upfront, All Inclusive can make it much easier to stick to your budget.
If you’re travelling as a family, buying meals, snacks and drinks every day can soon add up. Paying for most of them before you travel means there’s less to think about once you’re away, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
Check what you’ll spend once you’re there
A cheap flight doesn’t always mean a cheap holiday. Before you book, think about the little things you’ll be paying for each day, from lunches and drinks to taxis and ice creams. Those costs soon add up, so a destination with slightly higher flight prices can sometimes work out better value overall.
Still deciding where to go? A quick look at a price comparison site can give you a feel for local prices. It’s a simple way to compare the cost of everyday things and see where your holiday budget is likely to go further.
Don’t forget the extras
Finding a holiday that’s within budget is a great start, but it’s worth checking what’s included before you book. Adding hold luggage, seat selection, airport fast track, transfers and resort fees can soon push the total up.
It’s also worth checking how you’ll pay while you’re away. Some banks charge for using your card abroad, so a fee-free travel card could help you avoid extra charges when you’re buying meals, drinks or that ceramic bowl you couldn’t leave behind.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to book a package holiday or separately?
Booking separately isn't always cheaper. Once you've added flights, accommodation, transfers and extras together, a package holiday can sometimes work out cheaper overall. Any package that includes a flight is also ATOL protected, which matters most if things go wrong whilst you're away. It means a replacement flight home is arranged for you, and any money you've paid for the rest of your trip is refunded — so a problem with one supplier doesn't leave you stranded or out of pocket.
Should I wait for a flight sale before I book?
Not if your travel dates are fixed. Flight sales can be a good way to save, but if you’re travelling during the school holidays, prices often rise as flights fill up. Sales are most useful if you’re flexible about when or where you travel.
What hidden holiday costs should I budget for?
Hold luggage, seat selection, airport fast track, transfers, resort fees and card charges can all add to the total cost of your holiday. Checking what’s included before you book will give you a much clearer idea of what you’ll actually spend.
How can I compare the cost of different destinations?
Compare more than just the holiday price. Looking at the cost of everyday things like meals, drinks and taxis can help you work out where your money is likely to go further. A site like Numbeo is a useful place to compare local prices.
Ready to find your next summer holiday?
A little planning can go a long way when it comes to getting the most from your holiday budget. Knowing when to book, where to go and what to watch for all add up to a cheaper summer holiday. When you’re ready, explore our latest and last-minute holidays to find your next summer escape.
About the author
Jeslin is happiest when exploring new places and immersing herself in different cultures. When she’s not travelling, she’s often getting lost in a good book (sometimes literally), enjoying wild adventures from the comfort of her sofa.