I’m really fed up of the dark nights and relentless rain this winter. To kick off the depression and dreariness I’m putting my summer holiday plans into action for next year. Don’t laugh, you’d be surprised at how many people book so far in advance. It can be very costly nowadays to jet off to the sun, by the time you add on luggage and all the hidden extras, transfers, meals, currency it is a big chunk out of your annual salary. Let’s look at ways we can all get a better deal when booking a holiday abroad.
Travel on the day
It sounds crazy but waking up not knowing where you’re going can be a great adrenaline rush. If you’re ok with going for a same-day flight, TripAdvisor has a handy list of the lowest fares all day – with tickets from £16 return. Just log in early in the morning to get the best options.
I’ve just discovered this sit but easyJet’s cheap flights page lists the best last minute tickets to 33 European destinations including Spain, Turkey and France. It’s a secret microsite by the no-frills airline – just enter your destination and preferred dates of travel to see what the lowest fares for you are.
If you can easily get to a London airport in one day then click on Expedia’s Travel Tonight guide. This lists the best package holidays for those travelling on-the-day. It’s definitely worth checking out as prices start at £38 a night.
A cheap flight to anywhere
If you love a surprise then this if for you. Holiday comparison site Skyscanner has an “everywhere” destinations option. It’s a really good function where you can find out the cheapest destinations to visit around your chosen dates. For inspiration, here are 10 cheap and alternative cities to visit in 2016.
I didn’t expect this but British Airways also has a late deals page which lists their best last minute package deals for travel in Europe and further afield. You can be a lot more choosier here depending on your budget and you’re guaranteed a first class service without the price tag. Another site to keep an eye on is Monarch Airlines as they list their best 10 late offers every week on this site.
For cheap all-inclusive breaks
For the ultimate stress-free break, you can go all inclusive. If you’ve never experienced AI before, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Basically you don’t need cash as you’re ticket includes the cost of unlimited food and drink (including alcohol) for your stay. When you arrive you’ll be asked to wear a wrist band at the reception desk to remain on for the duration of your holiday which you show when you go for drinks, to the snack bar or for a-la-carte meals.
The UK’s biggest tour operators Thomson and Thomas Cook’s package deals page is update daily, and lists the best deals going last minute – prices start at around £400 per person but if you’re lucky you can sometimes see a deal for less than this for a seven night break.
There’s also a handy guide on lastminute.com with the best late all-inclusive deals of the week but you really need to shop around to make sure you are getting the best offer. Try searching discount codes for eDreams – they often have discounted savings off the total cost of your ideal trip. It is a good idea to get a Wells Fargo secured credit card for your international travels.
Tuesday is booking day
When it comes to the best day of the week to book your trip, Tuesday is usually the day that companies adjust their prices for holidays due to departure seven weeks or less. Get online after 11am to make the most of the new prices.
Book early
Online travel experts claim that booking early is still the best way to get the best price for your vacation. That applied for long haul and cruises too. However for last-minute deals to Greece, Spain or Italy its advised to book five to six weeks before departure as this is when airlines check availability, seat sales and may discount any unsold seats.
The cheapest day to fly
When it comes to the best day to fly in terms of securing a cheap fare try your best to opt for flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday afternoons. This is because midweek flights are less convenient for people due to work etc. Therefore these flights are usually a lot cheaper than those on a Friday evening or Saturday morning. Check out the cost of flying on a Saturday afternoon as this can sometimes flag up good value tickets as most people travelling for a weekend would want to fly out on a Friday night or first thing Saturday. Hotels also offer midweek specials so its thumbs up all round.
