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.
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, making it ideal for travellers looking for inspiration rather than a specific destination.
Compare On the Beach, Jet2holidays and Trip.com
Before booking, it’s worth checking several providers. On the Beach regularly offers discounted package holidays, Jet2holidays frequently runs ‘Deals of the Week’ promotions, and Trip.com often features flash deals on flights, hotels and flight-and-hotel packages. Comparing all three can help you uncover better value and more travel options.
Use Icelolly to Compare Prices
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, helping you quickly identify the best value.
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 available.
Simply enter your departure airport and Skyscanner will show some of the cheapest destinations available for your chosen dates.
Skyscanner also allows you to compare package holidays from multiple travel providers, making it a useful tool for comparing prices and discovering deals you may not have found elsewhere.
Consider Building Your Own Last-Minute Holiday
Sometimes the cheapest last-minute holiday isn’t a package holiday at all. If you find a cheap flight using Skyscanner, it can be worth comparing accommodation separately through providers such as Expedia, Lastminute.com or Trip.com to see whether building your own trip offers better value.
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 peak periods, last-minute deals can offer excellent value when travel companies are trying to fill unsold seats and hotel rooms.
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 providers, while On the Beach, Jet2holidays, Lastminute.com and Trip.com regularly offer discounted departures.
If you’re flexible about where you travel, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature can help uncover surprisingly cheap destinations and potentially save even more money. The more flexible you are, the more opportunities you’ll have to find a great deal.