Last-minute holidays are often cheaper outside peak season
Last-minute holidays tend to work best during quieter travel periods like May, early June, September and October, when travel companies still have holidays left to fill.
You’ve probably seen it yourself. Search for a beach holiday in mid-October and prices can suddenly look much more reasonable than they did in August. Flights are still running, hotels still want rooms filled and package companies are trying to sell remaining availability.
The more flexible you can be, the better your chances of finding a cheaper deal. Flying midweek, travelling a day earlier or later or checking a different airport nearby can all help.
Being open on destination matters too. If you’re choosing between a few places rather than one exact hotel, you’ll have far more chances of finding a good late deal. If price is your priority, it can also help to compare different cheap holidays rather than focusing on one specific resort.
Industry research regularly points to the final two to four weeks before departure as the sweet spot for lower package holiday prices, particularly on short-haul trips.
You’ll also see more late availability in destinations with lots of package holidays, like Spain, Turkey and the Canary Islands.
Last-minute holidays are usually more expensive during school holidays
If you’re travelling during the summer school holidays, waiting until the last minute often doesn’t pay off.
That’s because demand is already high, especially for popular beach destinations and family-friendly hotels. As flights and rooms start selling out, prices can quickly head upwards rather than down.
If you’re travelling with children, this tends to become obvious pretty quickly. Family rooms and interconnecting rooms are often among the first things to disappear, especially in August. Once those cheaper room types have gone, you can end up paying far more than you would have done by booking earlier.
The same thing often happens around Easter, Christmas and October half-term, when lots of people are all trying to travel within the same narrow window.
Long-haul holidays are harder to gamble on too. There’s simply less room for prices to move around dramatically close to departure.
If you already know where you want to go and when you need to travel, booking earlier is often the safer financial choice. It also gives you more choice on hotels, flight times and room types.
This catches a lot of people out: holiday prices are driven far more by demand than by how far in advance you book.
A holiday to Tenerife in mid-September behaves very differently from the exact same trip in the middle of August. One falls into a quieter travel period. The other lands right in peak family holiday season.
That’s why there’s no universal rule around last-minute holidays. It really comes down to when you want to travel and how flexible you can be.
If you can shift your dates slightly, fly midweek or stay open to a few destinations, you’ll usually have more opportunities to find lower prices.
As a general rule, last-minute holidays tend to work best if you’re flexible and travelling outside school holidays. If your dates are fixed, booking earlier usually gives you better value and more choice.
Small changes can improve your chances of finding a cheaper last-minute holiday
If you’re thinking about waiting before you book, a few practical tweaks can make a real difference:
• Set price alerts for destinations you’re considering so you can spot price drops quickly
• Check nearby departure airports as prices can vary more than you might expect
• Look at Tuesday and Wednesday departures, which can sometimes work out cheaper than weekends
• Keep your travel dates flexible by a day or two either side if possible
• Compare package holidays, as operators often secure hotel rooms and flights in advance
• Check what’s included before booking, as luggage, meals and transfers can change the overall value considerably
Last-minute family holidays are harder to get right
Last-minute family holidays can absolutely work, but they tend to come with less flexibility.
If you have pre-school children and can travel outside peak weeks, you’ll often have a much better chance of finding lower prices. Once the school holidays begin, though, the picture changes quickly.
Availability can be the biggest challenge. Family rooms can sell out surprisingly early, particularly in popular summer destinations. And once the cheaper room options have gone, prices often jump sharply.
If you’re travelling during peak school holiday weeks, booking earlier is normally the safer option financially. If you’re still deciding what kind of break suits your family best, it can help to compare different family holidays before deciding when to book.
Last-minute holidays can save money – but only in the right circumstances
Last-minute holidays can save you money if you can travel outside school holidays and stay flexible on dates, airports and destinations. But they’re not guaranteed savings, and waiting too long during peak periods can easily backfire. If you’re open on where and when you travel, booking late can work well. If you’re thinking about travelling soon, you can browse the latest last-minute holidays currently available.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to book a holiday last minute?
Sometimes. Last-minute holidays can be cheaper outside peak school holiday periods, particularly around two to four weeks before departure. During peak summer and school holidays, booking earlier is often cheaper.
When is the best time to book a last-minute holiday?
Around two to four weeks before departure is often considered the strongest window for last-minute package holiday pricing. Leaving it until the final few days can reduce choice and sometimes increase prices.
Is booking last minute cheaper than booking early?
It depends on the time of year and how flexible you are. Peak summer holidays are often cheaper when booked early, while off-peak trips can sometimes fall in price closer to departure.
How last-minute is considered last minute?
In the travel industry, holidays booked within around six weeks of departure are generally considered last minute. The best-value deals often appear within the final two to four weeks before departure.
About the author
Adele has worked in travel for a number of years now, which has taken her to some amazing places. When she’s not at home cuddling her dog, she loves to explore new places. From Mexico to Croatia and Iceland, she has some great insider tips.