When Should You Book a Holiday?
Knowing when to book a holiday can save you hundreds of pounds. While many travellers assume last-minute deals are always cheaper, the reality is that the best time to book depends on where you’re going, when you’re travelling, and how flexible you can be.
In this guide, we’ll explain when to book a holiday, when to wait, and when booking early could save you money.
Is It Better to Book Early or Last Minute?
There isn’t a single answer that works for every trip.
For some destinations, booking early gives you the best choice of hotels, flight times, and prices. For others, waiting until closer to departure can unlock significant savings.
As a general rule:
Book early for school holidays, summer holidays, Christmas and Easter.
Consider waiting for last-minute deals if you’re flexible with dates and destinations.
Long-haul holidays often offer the best value when booked several months in advance.
The key is understanding which type of holiday you’re booking.
When to Book Summer Holidays
Summer is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, especially for families.
Popular destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Cyprus often increase in price as availability becomes limited.
For the best combination of choice and value, we recommend booking summer holidays between January and April.
Leaving it until a few weeks before departure can sometimes work, but you’ll usually have fewer hotel options and less flexibility on flight times.
When to Book School Holiday Breaks
School holiday periods are usually the most expensive times to travel.
Demand is high, flights fill quickly, and hotels know families have limited flexibility.
If you’re planning to travel during:
Easter holidays
May half-term
Summer holidays
October half-term
Christmas holidays
It’s usually best to book as early as possible.
Waiting for last-minute deals during school holiday periods often results in higher prices rather than lower ones.
When to Book Long-Haul Holidays
Long-haul destinations often work differently from short-haul European breaks.
For destinations such as:
Thailand
Bali
Dubai
Mexico
The USA
The Caribbean
The sweet spot is often between three and eight months before departure.
This gives you access to competitive flight prices while still benefiting from package holiday promotions.
Websites such as Expedia, Trip.com, Booking.com and lastminute.com can often offer excellent value for long-haul trips.
When Do Last-Minute Holiday Deals Work?
Last-minute holidays can still offer fantastic savings, but they work best if you’re flexible.
You may find excellent deals if:
You’re willing to travel within the next few days.
You’re open to multiple destinations.
You’re flexible on departure airports.
You aren’t tied to school holiday dates.
Travel providers sometimes reduce prices to fill empty airline seats or unsold hotel rooms.
Popular destinations for last-minute bargains often include Spain, Turkey, Greece and the Canary Islands.
What Day Is Cheapest to Book a Holiday?
There is no guaranteed cheapest day to book a holiday.
However, travelling midweek is often cheaper than travelling at weekends.
You may find lower prices when departing on:
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Weekend departures often carry a premium because demand is higher.
The biggest savings usually come from being flexible with your travel dates rather than trying to book on a specific day.
Should You Wait for Prices to Drop?
Sometimes prices fall. Sometimes they rise.
The challenge is that nobody can predict exactly what will happen.
If you’ve found a holiday that:
Fits your budget
Has the hotel you want
Includes suitable flight times
It’s often worth booking rather than risking price increases.
Many travellers spend weeks waiting for a lower price only to find the holiday becomes more expensive.
Use Price Comparison Tools
Before booking, it’s worth comparing prices across multiple travel providers.
Useful tools include:
Skyscanner
icelolly.com
Expedia
Booking.com
Trip.com
On The Beach
Jet2holidays
Comparing multiple providers can help you identify the best deal available at that moment.
Final Thoughts
The best time to book a holiday depends on the type of trip you’re planning.
For school holidays, summer breaks and peak travel periods, booking early is usually the safest option.
For flexible travellers, last-minute deals can still provide excellent value.
Whichever approach you choose, comparing prices, staying flexible and booking when you’re happy with the price are often the smartest ways to save money.
A good holiday deal isn’t always the cheapest one — it’s the holiday that gives you the best value for your budget.