Posted on Friday, 19 January 2024

Secure your next sunny escape for less, with our money-saving tips.

If there's one thing Brits refuse to stop doing, it's going on holiday.

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, 52% of us took a holiday abroad in 2023 - according to The Association of British Travel Agents' Holiday Habits Survey.

The same survey revealed that 64% of us plan an overseas trip in 2024, too.

Yet managing costs is clearly a priority - particularly among those who book package deals. 42% of respondents to the same survey said a package holiday represented the 'Best value option for price' - ahead of convenience (33%).

A Jet2holiday report concurred, with 'Value for money' being the top priority for Brits when booking a holiday.

So, if you’re keen to save, learn how to book cheap holidays in 2024 with our guide…

How to find a cheap holiday

We've put together some useful tips for hunting down an affordable overseas break in 2024 - so you can enjoy some much-deserved respite from the UK winter.

1. Search for all-inclusive deals

All-inclusive packages can be one of the cheapest ways to sort out your summer holiday in 2024.

As the name implies, you get all your flights, food, drink, activities and entertainment included in the price.

On a more ad hoc trip, costs can quickly spiral out of control - but with many all-inclusives, you can leave your wallet at home (although we don't recommend it!).

However, an all-inclusive break isn't for everyone - not least because you may be restricted in terms of food choice (many all-ins offer buffet-style meals), and there may be limits on premium alcoholic drinks and entertainment.

But for those who want to enjoy some sunshine without having to worry about cooking, paying hefty restaurant bills, or organising excursions, it could be just the ticket.

2. Don't dismiss a "DIY break"

For popular destinations such as the South of Spain and Turkey, a package or all-inclusive deal is likely to be the cheapest option. But for less-visited locales, it may be less costly to do it yourself.

To determine if a DIY getaway offers the best value, benchmark the cost of a desirable package or all-inclusive, then compare this to the separate costs of flights, accommodation, and meals.

3. Book early

In most cases, you'll find it's cheaper to book as far ahead as you can - although cost-saving may depend on whether you're booking a package or a DIY break.

Last-minute package specialists Ice Lolly claims that "booking 1 – 4 weeks before your departure is the best time for bagging a cheap holiday, as airlines and holiday companies are trying to ensure their flights and hotels are full."

But when it comes to flights, booking even further ahead is recommended. A report by Expedia stated that booking at least 4 months in advance saves an average of 13%.

 

4. But don't book TOO early

According to a report by Which?, booking a summer holiday early can indeed save you money. They say a week in Greece "was up to £242 cheaper if booked in advance" - resulting in a £484 saving for a couple.

However, they warn against booking TOO early.

They say the best prices for most destinations are available in December and January.

 

5. Be flexible with dates

Being flexible is easier said than done - especially if you have children. But by avoiding the big school breaks - notably Easter, summer, and Christmas - you're likely to find cheaper deals due to the lower demand.

In the UK, September and October are good bets because the kids have returned to school and there's less competition. 

 

6. Be flexible with destinations

Many of us love to visit the same country every year. We learn to appreciate the climate, the food, the people - and the general familiarity of the place.

But tapping into your more adventurous side could be one of the best ways to find cheap holiday deals.

According to Which?, the cheapest long-haul destinations include India, Egypt, Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Some travel agents specialise in bringing deals to those with more flexibility. For example, jacksflightclub.co.uk will send you information about discounted flights to destinations around the globe.

Can last-minute holidays be cheap?

Over the last decade or so, a whole sub-industry has emerged: the last-minute holiday. But do holidays go down in price nearer the time?

As mentioned, research by Which? suggests not. The consumer publication found that most package deals cost less the further in advance you book them.

They determined that a seven-night holiday to Turkey was £197pp cheaper when booked 7 months ahead rather than one week ahead. The saving was £185 for Portugal trips, and £20 for Italy breaks.

However, Which? found that Spain and the Canary Islands were exceptions: booking ahead tends to be more costly than organising a last-minute getaway to these destinations.

So if you are the kind of person who leaves things late, the sun-kissed resorts of Spain and the Canaries are always an option.

Do travel agents still do last-minute deals?

Whether or not you believe last-minute deals are a cheaper way to holiday, travel agents - both high street and online - certainly have plenty of breaks that fall under this heading.

The theory goes that big travel firms would rather sell a holiday at a discount than have seats and rooms empty.

With this in mind, it's worth benchmarking online holiday prices, then visiting a few high street travel firms to see if they can offer something comparable for less.

How to find cheap last-minute holidays

To find a last-minute summer holiday in 2024, visit specialist websites such as lastminute.com, expedia.com, or jacksflightclub.co.uk.

Your local high street travel agent may have some packages they want to sell for less, too.

Can you haggle with travel agents?

When working out how to find a cheap holiday, don’t dismiss haggling in-person with bricks-and-mortar travel agents.

One tactic is to negotiate on a price-per-person basis, rather than the whole package cost - so that the discount won't seem as large to the agent.

However, haggling takes time and effort - which may be counterintuitive if you're after a relaxing break!

On what day of the week are holidays cheaper?

Many studies have looked at which day of the week is cheapest to book a getaway.

When it comes to flights, Norton Finance found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are most wallet-friendly.

This ‘mid-week-is-cheapest’ theory was reflected by an Expedia study, which determined that Wednesdays are the most affordable day for international flights.

Happy holiday hunting!

Both supply and demand for holidays is vast. This means there’s a huge array of holidays to choose from, and many great deals to be had.

With a little time and effort - and by using the tips listed above - you’re sure to find your perfect getaway for an affordable price in 2024.

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