Whether you’re planning a quick city break or a sun-soaked beach getaway, finding a cheap holiday is possible — if you know where to look and how to book. With the right mix of flexibility, timing and smart planning, you can enjoy a memorable holiday without overspending.
In this guide, we’ll share practical tips for booking a cheap holiday from the UK, including advice on flights, accommodation, and how to save at every step of the journey.
Book a cheap holiday by staying flexible when booking
Ok that sounds great, but what does that even mean? One of the biggest factors in finding a cheap holiday is how flexible you are – with your travel dates, destination and accommodation. The more open-minded you can be, the more likely you are to find a bargain. So let’s dive right in and answer some of your most burning questions:
When is the best time to book a holiday?
The best time to book a holiday depends on your destination and flexibility. For popular summer trips, book 3–6 months in advance. For city breaks or off-season travel, you may find better deals 6–8 weeks before departure. If you’re flexible, last-minute deals can also offer big savings.
How far in advance should I book my holiday?
Generally, book your holiday at least 3–6 months in advance for the best availability and prices, especially during school holidays or peak summer months. For winter sun getaways or Christmas travel, booking as early as 6–9 months ahead is ideal.
How far in advance should I book my flight?
The ideal time to book your flight depends on whether you’re travelling domestically or internationally:
Domestic flights (within the UK or Europe):
Book 6 to 8 weeks in advance for the best balance between price and availability. If you’re travelling during school holidays or peak summer, aim for 2 to 3 months ahead.International long-haul flights:
For long-distance travel (e.g. Asia, USA, Australia), it’s best to book 3 to 6 months in advance. For popular seasons like Christmas or summer, consider booking 6 to 9 months ahead to secure the lowest fares.
Bonus tip: Use fare alert tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner Price Alerts to track price drops and book when fares dip.
What is the best day to fly?
The best and cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Midweek flights tend to be less in demand, meaning lower fares and quieter airports. Saturdays can also be slightly cheaper than Fridays or Sundays, especially for return flights. Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays, as these are peak travel days when prices and crowds are at their highest.
Bonus tip: Early morning or late-night flights are often cheaper too — and may help you avoid delays.
What is the best month to book a holiday?
January is often the best month to book a holiday from the UK, thanks to New Year travel sales and early-bird discounts. Other good months include September and October, when airlines and tour operators release off-peak deals for the coming year.
Tip: Avoid peak seasons, such as school holidays, Christmas, and the summer months (especially July and August). Prices for flights and accommodation rise dramatically during these periods.
What is the cheapest day to book a holiday?
Tuesday or Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to book holidays and flights, as airlines often release fare updates early in the week. Avoid booking on weekends, when prices can be higher due to increased demand.
Accommodation matters to save money
When it comes to booking a cheap holiday, choosing the right accommodation can make a big difference to your overall budget. Traditional hotels, especially in central or tourist-heavy areas, tend to be the most expensive option. Instead, consider self-catering apartments through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo — they often offer more space and the ability to cook your own meals, saving you money on eating out.
For those travelling solo or looking for a social experience, hostels are a budget-friendly choice and often come with communal kitchens, free events, and the chance to meet fellow travellers. If you’re open to something a bit different, house-swapping through sites like Love Home Swap can offer free stays in exchange for hosting someone in your own home.
Another increasingly popular option is house sitting, where platforms like TrustedHousesitters connect you with homeowners looking for someone to care for their pets and home while they’re away – offering accommodation at no cost. These alternative options not only help you save money but can also lead to more authentic and local experiences while travelling.
What is the cheapest way to book hotels?
The cheapest way to book hotels is by using price comparison sites like Booking.com, Trivago, or HotelsCombined, and by booking directly with the hotel where possible to access exclusive deals or discounts. Signing up for hotel newsletters or loyalty programmes can also unlock lower member-only rates.
How to find cheap hotel booking?
To find cheap hotel bookings, book early, stay flexible with dates and location, and use tools like Google Hotels, Hotwire, or Lastminute.com. Filter by price and look for properties with free cancellation, which gives you the flexibility to rebook if prices drop.
What is the best day to book a hotel?
The best day to book a hotel is typically Monday to Wednesday, when fewer people are browsing and prices are more competitive. Also, instead of staying the entire weekend, think about checking in on a Sunday, when prices drop significantly. Avoid booking on Fridays and Saturdays, when demand spikes and prices often rise.
Location, location, location: Consider bargain destinations
Flexibility often pays off when travelling. You can save a lot of money and discover new destinations that you might not have thought of before. Maybe it doesn’t have to be Majorca every year for a summer holiday. Perhaps the neighbouring islands can also be discovered, which are not quite as well known, but offer good flight and hotel deals. This way, you can get to know new destinations that may not yet be as touristically developed as well-known destinations.
On the other hand, they are not overcrowded with tourists and the prices are not quite as expensive as in the tourist strongholds. So if you are open to new destinations away from mass tourism, you can save a lot of money. Find out more about tips for saving money before and during your holiday here.
Have you been affected by a flight cancellation or delay this summer? Flightright is here to help!
Our 2025 top cheap holiday suggestions
If you’re looking for a holiday that won’t break the bank, consider destinations where your money goes further. In Europe, Bulgaria, Albania, and Portugal offer stunning beaches, great food, and budget-friendly prices. Cities like Kraków, Budapest, and Valencia are ideal for affordable city breaks with rich culture and cheap accommodation.
For long-haul options, Turkey, Thailand, and parts of Morocco provide excellent value for money, especially if you’re after sunshine, street food, and low-cost stays. Avoid tourist hotspots and look for lesser-known gems to truly stretch your holiday budget.
Search for airports near the border
A few tips can also save a lot of money when looking for and booking flights. If you don’t necessarily need a direct flight to your destination and don’t mind changing planes, you can usually save a lot of money. Of course, this is not as comfortable as a direct flight to your destination, but stopovers can often be up to 70 per cent cheaper.
In addition, these offer the opportunity to make a stopover and explore the city around the airport. The choice of departure airport can also have a direct impact on your wallet. If it doesn’t necessarily have to be the closest airport to home from which to depart, holidaymakers can look at which airports offer the cheapest deals and flights and what transport there would cost. If the transport is cheaper than the flight from the nearest airport, that can be an option.
Of course, it is also always a question of time and money. If travellers have only a few holiday days available, a flexible flight search may not be the best option. For those travellers who have a little more time and not so much money to spare, it is usually worth looking around for the cheapest flights. And you can find all the tips you need on long-haul flights here.
Save money with price comparison websites for a low-budget getaway
Best Bargain holiday sites: Where can I book a cheap holiday?
When you’re planning a cheap getaway, choosing the right website can save you hundreds of pounds. Here’s our expert comparison of the top UK websites for budget-friendly holidays and package deals, ranked by performance across multiple key criteria.
Comparison Table: Best Holiday Booking Websites in the UK (2025)
Rank | Holiday website | Price Competitiveness | Package Variety | Ease of Use | Flexibility (Cancellations, Deposits) | Customer Reviews (Trustpilot) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jet2holidays | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.6/5 | All-inclusive & reliable packages |
2 | TUI | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.4/5 | Family holidays & package variety |
3 | On the Beach | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.3/5 | Flexible beach holidays |
4 | Loveholidays | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.2/5 | Cheap city breaks & custom holidays |
5 | Holiday Pirates | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4.0/5 | Flash deals & spontaneous trips |
6 | TravelSupermarket | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 3.8/5 | Price comparison & DIY holidays |
7 | Expedia UK | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.6/5 | Long-haul & hotel/flight bundles |
8 | Lastminute.com | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | City breaks & last-minute travel |
How to book a cheap holiday: Debunking the myths of last-minute and package holidays
Are last-minute holidays cheaper?
Last-minute holidays can be cheaper, but it depends on several factors. Travel companies often slash prices close to departure to fill unsold flight seats or hotel rooms — especially for less popular destinations or during off-peak times. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, destination, and departure airport, you can often grab a great bargain.
However, during peak travel periods like school holidays or major events, prices usually increase as demand rises. In those cases, booking early is often cheaper and offers more choice.
What’s the deal about package holidays?
A package holiday is a travel deal that bundles together at least two main elements — usually flights and accommodation, and sometimes extras like transfers, meals, or excursions — into a single booking. These holidays are offered by travel companies such as Jet2holidays, TUI, or Loveholidays, and can be booked either online or through a travel agent.
Are package holidays cheaper?
Yes, they can be cheaper, especially if you’re travelling during peak season or to popular destinations. Tour operators often get discounted rates from airlines and hotels, which means they can offer better value than booking flights and accommodation separately. Package holidays also include financial protection (like ATOL cover in the UK), giving you peace of mind if something goes wrong.
DIY: Build your own holiday to save money
If you have more time for planning and want to save money, it makes sense to put together a trip yourself. One clear advantage is that you can design your holiday very individually and are not dependent on the accommodation options and activities offered by tour operators. In addition, spontaneous changes of plans can still be made during the trip, for example, because you don’t want to take another day at the beach and instead undertake a trekking tour with an overnight stay in a tent.
Another important advantage is the cost factor. If you put together your holiday yourself, you usually save a lot of money, because the costs for the organisers are eliminated and nowadays, with the help of booking portals, you can pick out and book the best deals on hotels and flights yourself. All that is needed is a little time, patience and a good eye for the best bargains. Our travel hacks can at least give you a helping hand with your travel preparations.
More expert money-saving tips for a budget holiday
Beyond flights and hotels, small decisions can help reduce the overall cost of your holiday.
Pack light
Avoid baggage fees by travelling with hand luggage only. Budget airlines often charge for checked baggage, so packing smart can save you £30–£60 per flight.
Use packing cubes to maximise space and stay organised.
Consider these tips on how to pack & fly with a backpack.
Get travel insurance
Don’t skip this step. A small upfront cost could save you hundreds or even thousands in case of flight cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies.
Download money-saving apps
Use apps like:
Rome2Rio for transport planning
XE Currency Converter for real-time exchange rates
Google Maps (offline mode) for free navigation
GetYourGuide or Klook for discounted attractions and tours
Be mindful of daily expenses
Look for free walking tours, local festivals, or museum days to explore more without spending.
Use public transport or walk instead of relying on taxis.
Shop at local markets or budget supermarkets (like Lidl or Aldi) to save on snacks and meals.
How can Flightright help you?
Are you stuck at the airport due to a flight delay? Your flight has been cancelled or you have been removed from the passenger list? Has your baggage been lost or only turned up days later? In each of the situations described, you as a passenger have a right to compensation.
According to the UK261 Legislation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. They can receive up to £520 compensation per person (minus the success commission). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your right for you. If necessary also in court.
Tip: Flightright helps you to enforce your passenger rights! With us, you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. ✔️Easy, ✔️fast ✔️& without risk
As the market-leading consumer portal, Flightright fights for the enforcement of air passenger rights. We stand up for your rights in the event of a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding and refer to the UK261 Regulation. Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket refunds and refunds for cancelled package tours.
As experts in the field of air passenger rights, we enforce your right to compensation against the airline!
