How to Find Last-Minute Holiday Deals
Last-minute holidays can be a fantastic way to save money, but finding the best deal isn’t always as simple as searching “last-minute holidays” and booking the first option you see.
The key is knowing where to look, being flexible and comparing multiple providers before booking.
Here are the websites and strategies we regularly use to find the best last-minute holiday deals.
Check Holiday Pirates for Inspiration
If you’re flexible about where you want to travel, Holiday Pirates is one of the best places to start.
The website regularly publishes discounted package holidays, flight deals and hotel offers from destinations around the world.
It’s perfect if your main goal is finding a great deal rather than travelling to a specific destination.
Use Icelolly to Compare Multiple Providers
If you already know where you’d like to go. Icelolly is one of the most useful tools available.
Rather than checking multiple travel companies individually, Icelolly compares deals from different providers in one place.
This allows you to quickly compare prices and see who is offering the best value at that moment.
It’s particularly useful if you’ve already found a hotel or destination and want to make sure you’re getting the best possible price.
Check On the Beach Last-Minute Deals
On the Beach regularly offers last-minute package holidays across Europe and beyond.
The website often features discounted holidays departing within the next few weeks, making it a great option for spontaneous travellers.
If you’re flexible with your departure airport and travel dates, there can be some excellent savings available.
Look at Jet2holidays - Deals Of the Week
Jet2holidays frequently runs sales and special offers on package holidays.
It’s particularly strong for family holidays and school holiday travel, but it’s also worth checking their last-minute section if you’re looking to travel soon.
You may be surprised by some of the deals available.
Trip.com is often overlooked when searching for last-minute holidays, but it’s well worth comparing before booking.
The platform regularly offers flash deals on flights, hotels and flight-and-hotel packages, particularly for international and long-haul destinations.
If you’re flexible with where you travel, Trip.com can sometimes uncover deals that don’t always appear on traditional package holiday websites.
It’s especially useful if you’re considering building your own last-minute holiday by combining flights and accommodation separately.
Use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” Search
If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature can be one of the most powerful tools for finding last-minute holidays.
Simply enter your departure airport and select “Everywhere” as your destination.
Skyscanner will then show the cheapest countries and cities available for your chosen travel dates, helping you discover destinations you may never have considered.
Consider Building Your Own Last-Minute Holiday
Sometimes the cheapest last-minute holiday isn’t a package holiday at all.
If you find heavily discounted flights using Skyscanner, it can be worth researching accommodation separately and comparing the total cost against package holiday providers.
For example, if you discover cheap flights to Spain, Portugal or another European destination, you can then compare accommodation through providers such as Expedia and see whether building your own holiday offers better value.
Search Last-Minute Categories
Many travel websites have dedicated last-minute sections.
Before booking, it’s worth checking:
These sections are specifically designed to showcase holidays departing soon and often feature some of the best available deals.
Is Booking Last Minute Always Cheaper?
Not necessarily.
For school holidays, Easter, Christmas and other peak travel periods, booking early is often the better option.
However, outside of peak periods, last-minute deals can offer excellent value, particularly if travel companies are trying to fill unsold seats and hotel rooms.
Looking for Hotel Inspiration?
If you’ve found a cheap flight, don’t forget to compare accommodation too.
We’ve featured hand-picked hotels and destination guides across Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Thailand and more, helping you find accommodation ideas and compare options before booking.
Final Thoughts
Finding a great last-minute holiday deal is all about flexibility and comparison.
Holiday Pirates is excellent for inspiration, Icelolly is ideal for comparing multiple providers, and websites such as On the Beach, Jet2holidays, Trip.com and lastminute.com regularly offer discounted departures.
If you’re flexible about where you travel, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature can help uncover surprisingly cheap flights, allowing you to build your own last-minute holiday and potentially save even more money.
The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll have to find a great deal.