Here's how to find the best holiday deals
With summer approaching, it’s natural to dream about escaping to warmer climes. However, if you're on a bit of a budget this year, a holiday abroad can feel out of reach.
But don't be disheartened! There are plenty of opportunities to bag an affordable break, so you can still enjoy the summer getaway you deserve.
Before you start packing your bags, however, it's essential to be aware that not all discounts are legitimate. So, we've spoken to travel experts to help you cut through the noise and help you find the best deals out there.
Read on to find out how to spot genuine offers of accommodations and flights – and how to continue to save when you step off the plane.
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How to find a real holiday bargain
Don’t be fooled by unbelievable prices that disguise hidden fees. When browsing the flight deals, take time to read the small print and make a list of every compromise that comes with the cheaper option.
‘The biggest mistake I see travellers make is focusing only on the headline price without factoring in baggage fees, seat selection, and transfers,’ says Jacob Wedderburn-Day, CEO & Co-founder of Stasher.
For example, the 5am Ryanair flight from London Stansted might look like a steal, until you’re spending more on the taxi to the airport than the ticket itself – and extra for baggage (unless you fancy stuffing your underwear into a neck pillow).
While a midday British Airways flight from London Gatwick may be slightly more expensive, it also includes two hand luggage bags and has far easier transport links. Once you’ve compared the true cost side by side, you’ll know which flight deal is the real bargain.
‘Read everything before proceeding,’ adds Wedderburn-Day. ‘Budget airlines also add fees at checkout for payment processing. Check if hotels charge tourist taxes, resort fees, or parking separately. Always compare the final checkout price across multiple sites.’
Wedderburn-Day also warns that not all sales are genuine. Many websites inflate their usual rates to make discounts look more dramatic. His advice: check past prices first using Google Flights' price-tracking feature.
Companies can also lure customers in by exaggerating discounts in their advertising. In 2024, a Which? investigation discovered that Travelodge, Hilton and Accor were guilty of this ‘price baiting’.
Eurostar also came under fire for promising fares “from £39” that had extremely limited availability. These tactics are designed to draw you in, before locking you into a higher price.
Though searching for a real deal can sometimes feel like navigating a hall of mirrors, taking the time to separate real bargains from the clever marketing is worth it.
‘There’s nothing quite like the thrill of scoring a holiday bargain,’ says Elaine Warren, CEO of The Family Cruise Companion. ‘It’s not just about saving money; it’s about opening the door to experiences you might not have thought possible.’
The best (and worst) airline sales
Jack’s Flight Club – a membership service that finds subscribers unbeatable flight deals – has been tracking airfare trends for more than eight years. Using their insider knowledge, they’ve created a guide that outlines which airline sales offer the top deals (and which fall flat).
The best:
These sales typically see the airline offer ‘as good as it gets’ prices.
Hit or miss:
Though these airlines sometimes pull through with an excellent deal, don’t take their offers as gospel – always check historic prices to ensure the deal isn’t just marginally better than usual.
The worst:
These airlines rarely hold a sale, and when they do the savings are usually minimal.
It’s all about timing
‘Flexibility is your greatest ally,’ says Warren. ‘Playing with date – especially mid-week or shoulder-season travel – can cut prices dramatically. A few days on either side can make the difference between an overbooked resort and an affordable paradise.’
Not only do certain days of the year carry a higher price tag – like a bank holiday weekend or a half-term Friday – the timing of your booking matters just as much as the timing of your travel.
According to Wedderburn-Day, last-minute deals are still a thing – and holding out for the January sales can be one of the best ways to score a bargain on spring or early-summer holidays. ‘People tend to book too far in advance for short-haul trips,’ he explains. ‘Sometimes the best deals appear three to four months out, not ten months.’
Top tips for finding cheap flights
Follow this expert advice to feed your wanderlust without squeezing your wallet.
Set up notifications
Catch flight deals early by creating price alerts for your chosen routes. This saves you from constantly refreshing airline websites and ensures you’re the first to hear when prices drop.
‘I always set up price alerts through Google Flights or Hopper, so I know the exact moment fares drop,’ says Warren. ‘The buzz of getting that notification feels almost as good as the trip itself.’
Check regional airport prices
Instead of flying into a capital city or major hubs, consider smaller regional airports. ‘Lower demand often means lower surcharges and more affordable fares,’ says Maritz.
Book last-minute (or super in advance)
‘Booking early still remains effective for securing peak-season holidays or popular packages,’ says Carden-Lovell. ‘But we’re also seeing growing value in last-minute opportunities too.’
Companies often release unsold trips at discounted prices between two to four weeks before departure. ‘This means travellers who can be spontaneous, and act quickly can secure premium experiences at a fraction of the cost,’ she adds.
Outsmart dynamic pricing
Flight prices can fluctuate dramatically due to dynamic pricing - where websites track your activity and raise fares based on interest. To avoid this, browse incognito and clear your cookies regularly to remove tracking data.
Check the exchange rate
Holiday spending doesn’t end once the flights are booked. Even if you score a bargain on your travel, choosing a costly destination with a weak exchange rate could leave you overspending.
‘People often forget how much exchange rates affect the cost of holidays,’ says Simon Phillips, Managing Director of No1 Currency. ‘If sterling has weakened against the currency used in your destination, everything from hotels to taxis and meals out will cost more. But if the Pound has risen in value, you’ll get more bang for your buck, Euro or Baht.’
Over the past year, the pound has fallen a total of 4.8% against the euro, meaning that destinations in the Eurozone will feel noticeably more expensive. So, choosing a European country that uses its own currency – such as Hungary, the Czech Republic and Turkey – will stretch your money further.
‘The Pound rose rapidly against the Turkish Lira,’ continues Phillips. ‘Which made Turkey even better value. So before picking a country to visit, it’s worth checking online to see how its currency has moved relative to the Pound over the past year. In the case of Turkish Lira, its steady fall against sterling has turned good value Turkey into a bargain.’
The euro has also strengthened against the USD across the year, making Eurozone destinations pricier for Americans. So, swapping a weekend in Paris for a week in Mexico or Vietnam (where the dollar stretches further) could save you money overall.
Exchange rates can also differ across travel money providers, so shop around before you commit to a vender.
‘Avoid exchanging currency on weekends,’ advises money-saving expert at MyVoucherCodes, Sarah-Jane Outten. ‘Since banks are still determining the new rates on Monday morning, they often charge a higher rate on Saturday and Sunday to safeguard against unpredictable market fluctuations when the market reopens.’
Taking cash with you not only helps you track your spending but also avoids any nasty card charges abroad. If you do plan on spending on your card, Outten recommends Monzo. ‘You can enjoy unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals within the European Economic Area (EEA),’ she explains. ‘For withdrawals outside the EEA, you can withdraw up to £200 every 30 days without any fees.’
Accommodation deals
People tend to prioritise finding cheap flights, but accommodation is usually a bigger expense. Consider browsing deals on hotels and rental deals first – if you’re saving £30 a night on a week-long trip, those pounds really add up.
When it comes to hotels, last-minute deals can truly pay off. According to Wedderburn-Day, ‘Hotels drop prices around 21 days before arrival when filling remaining rooms.’ He also recommends you keep an eye on Sunday bookings, as industry data suggests this is the cheapest day of the week to book.
Package holidays could also offer better value than a DIY booking. A recent Which? report found that it was cheaper to book an all-inclusive holiday in seven out of ten popular destinations. So, it’s worth checking out Virgin Holidays, TUI and easyJet holidays to compare prices before committing.
TOP TIP: Did you know that the device you book on can have a massive impact on the cost?
Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com offer ‘mobile exclusive’ deals when you book on your smartphone instead of a laptop.
For even greater savings, consider a holiday rental. Rebecca Ward, CEO of Simply Owners says to skip Airbnb’s service fees by contacting owners directly. ‘Holiday rental sites like Airbnb or Cottages.com charge booking commissions of up to 20%. Savvy guests use platforms like Airbnb as “a marketplace” to find a property, then search for the same property on direct booking sites.’
Ward also recommends returning to old stays to save. ‘Stayed somewhere you loved last year or the year before? Many owners offer discounts to repeat guests, as they know you can be trusted.’
Is ChatGPT the ultimate travel agent?
AI tools can help you pin down affordable holidays while swerving the bombardment of ads and sponsored content.
‘One surprisingly effective DIY method is using ChatGPT,’ says Ayushi Tandon, founder of Laptops & Landscapes – a travel blog focused on practical itineraries, destination guides, and authentic hidden gems.
‘Ask it to generate a list of budget-friendly destinations based on your departure airport and ideal travel dates, then pair that list with price tracking tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner. It’s like having a personal travel assistant that filters the noise for you.’
However, Wedderburn-Day warns against relying on AI for finding flash sales. ‘ChatGPT can provide you with initial research and compare destinations, but it can't access real-time pricing,’ he says. ‘I wouldn’t recommend using it to find holiday deals. Instead, use it to identify budget-friendly destinations, suggest itineraries, and find alternatives to popular spots, but make sure to verify prices directly on booking sites.’
If a cruise is on your radar this year, a few booking quirks can save you serious money. The editors at Cruise Collective spend their lives hunting smarter sailings for UK travellers, here’s how they suggest you think about value (not just the headline fare).
Five ways to get a real cruise deal (not just a red sticker)
- Aim for shoulder season, not school holidays. April–May and September–October usually delivers the best price-to-weather ratio in Europe. The Caribbean can be excellent value outside peak festive dates, too.
- Look beyond the fare: add up the extras. Drinks, Wi-Fi, tips, speciality dining and transfers can double the cost if you’re not careful. Sometimes an “all-in” offer beats a rock-bottom ticket once you do the maths.
- Sail from the cheapest port to reach. Factor rail, petrol, parking or an overnight hotel. A slightly pricier cruise from a nearby UK port can work out cheaper than a “bargain” that needs flights.
- Be flexible on the cabin and picky on location. Inside or “guarantee” cabins are often the best value; just check you’re not above a nightclub or beneath the pool deck. If sea days matter, a balcony in shoulder season can be a sweet spot.
- Stack the savings. Book during a cruise line sale, then apply any member-only codes or onboard-credit offers. Newsletter alerts help you pounce when a flash deal drops.
You can find current member-only cruise offers at Cruise Collective — and our weekly email rounds up the best value itineraries as they appear.
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