TravelDock There’s something quite magical about booking a late holiday deal. You feel almost naughty – like it’s something you shouldn’t be doing.
But, naughty or not, you absolutely should book a late holiday if you can, because it’s one of the best ways to save money on your annual getaway.
Read on for a couple of tips about the things you should consider beforehand.
When is the best time to book a late holiday deal?
There are lots of theories about this, and no two people seem to offer the same advice.
Book too early, and you might spend more than you need to. Book too late, and you may miss the boat entirely (perhaps, literally).
In truth, it depends on a number of factors, but there are two in particular which are important: who you’re going with, and where you intend to go.
For instance, if you’re travelling as a couple or on your own, you can probably be pretty flexible in terms of when you go. For example, this might mean you won’t be governed by school holidays and term times. But, if you’re heading away with the family and don’t want to wrench the kids from school, you’ll have a more limited diary to work with.
Similarly, certain destinations are better suited to late deals. In fact, some thrive on it, and you’ll find many of the most popular destinations regularly making a big thing about their late deals.
The answer to the “when is the best time” question is therefore not quite as simple as you might be hoping. You first need to consider your flexibility, where you want to go, and the budget. With these three elements in mind, you can start scouring the web for the best deals when it feels like you need to get away.
Do last minute flights still get cheaper?
Yes. With many airlines, last minute flights are still generally cheaper the closer you get to the departure date.
Once again, it comes down to your flexibility. It’s important to remember that flight prices also vary during each day of the wee; therefore, a last-minute deal on a Wednesday morning may be considerably cheaper compared to the same flight on a Saturday afternoon.
So, be as flexible as you can and keep a close eye on the airline comparison sites. If you don’t need to stick to a specific departure date, your flight is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of saving on your holiday.
What about all inclusive deals?
It’s definitely worth considering all-inclusive deals if you’re looking for a cheaper, last minute getaway.
Holiday companies often lower their package holiday prices closer to the scheduled time, and if you’re the sort of person who likes to head away and have everything catered for in one place, this could be your best option.
Conclusion
Here comes the ‘f’ word again. Flexibility reigns supreme when looking for a cheaper last-minute holiday.
Even with a family, you can probably be relatively flexible. For instance, if you need to go away during the school holidays, try keeping an eye on those last-minute package deals.
However you may book your last-minute dream holiday, be sure to have fun, stay safe and relax once you arrive at your destination – you totally deserve it!
