Discover the best time to book a holiday in 2026, from flights and hotels to package deals, with practical tips to help you save money on your next trip.
min read
07 May 2026
If you're planning a holiday in 2026, the best time to book most trips is going to be between 2-6 months before you leave - though some peak school holidays are worth booking up to 8-10 months in advance.
If you're after a cheap break, the best times to book are January sales (first couple of weeks), late April post-Easter, and late September-October for UK-Europe trips and flights.
While flying Monday to Wednesday and booking on Sundays might save you some cash, don't make a mad dash for the cheapest day - flexibility is way more important.
If you can, try to travel during off-peak months like May, June, September or early October - you'll generally save 30-50% compared to July-August and Christmas.
Booking during off-peak months and shoulder seasons is a great way to get some big savings - when demand is lower, so are the prices.
Keep an eye out for when tour operators start reducing prices 8-10 weeks before departure - it's a great time to snag some budget deals.
Get yourself travel insurance the moment you pay any deposit - your cancellation cover starts then, not when you actually travel.
Last summer, I tracked the same hotels in Costa Brava for two different holidays. The August booking, made just six weeks in advance, cost £850 per person - whereas the September break, booked four months early, was a snip at £520. That’s a £330 difference for the exact same rooms, pool and sunshine - just different dates.
Holiday prices, especially flight prices, are always changing - airlines and hotels use fancy algorithms to adjust rates hundreds of times a day, based on demand, season and how far ahead you make your original booking. Get the timing right, and you could save (or avoid) hundreds of pounds on your next trip.
When planning a break, a lot of people ask: when’s the best time to book a holiday? Well, this guide has been pulling together years of tracking prices for all sorts of holidays - from city breaks and long-haul winter sun to UK staycations. I’ll give you the lowdown on booking windows, best days to travel, how long in advance to plan ahead for different types of trip, and when to sort out insurance. The examples are based on 2024-2026 trends, but the principles will still apply for years to come.
Holiday prices aren’t always static—whether you’re after summer holidays, a package deal, or just flights, both holiday and flight prices fluctuate constantly due to demand and seasonality. During peak season (especially around school holidays), tour operators put up holiday prices to match the soaring demand. So booking ahead is often key to snagging the best deals—especially for popular destinations that sell out fast.
If you’re on the lookout for a cheap holiday, it’s usually better to book a package deal in advance rather than waiting for a last-minute bargain—especially if your travel dates aren’t super flexible. While last-minute deals do pop up, they’re less common during school holidays and peak travel periods. Tools like tracking prices, setting price alerts, and comparing offers from different tour operators can help you save money and land your dream holiday at a cheaper deal. Just remember, holiday prices are all about demand—so planning ahead gives you the upper hand, especially when it comes to booking flights and hotels for high-demand dates.
There's no one-size-fits-all cheapest time to book a holiday - but some patterns do emerge from the data and experience.
Rule of thumb for 2026:
| Trip Type | Best Booking Window |
|---|---|
| Short-haul Europe | 2–4 months before departure |
| Long-haul (USA, Caribbean, SE Asia) | 3–6 months out |
| School holiday packages | 8–10 months ahead |
UK tour operators often launch major flight sales in early January (20-40% off summer trips), late April post-Easter (up to 30% reductions), and late September-October (15-25% autumn deals). These are the perfect windows to lock in your dream holiday.
It's worth keeping in mind that prices are adjusted constantly - so tracking trends over weeks using price alerts is a lot more effective than obsessing about an exact booking hour.
From years of tracking routes like London-Malaga, Manchester-Tenerife and London-New York, a few patterns start to emerge for international flights.
For most European leisure routes:
Studies have found that Sundays and mid-week evenings can be cheaper to book than Mondays - though patterns do differ by airline. What's consistent: flying Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday costs less than weekend departures.
Example time: London-Palma in June will usually cost £40-60 less per person flying Tuesday versus Saturday - that's potentially £240 saved for a family of four.
Practical Tips:
Hotel rates depend on loads of factors - what's the occupancy forecast, are there any festivals on, is it a weekend? And lets face it, the same room in Lisbon or Prague can easily double in price during a random festival weekend.
UK city hotels:
International hotel stays:
Pro tip: Use those free-cancellation rates to lock in prices 3-6 months ahead, then check again 4-6 weeks before you're due to arrive. And if you find a cheaper rate, rebook ASAP.
Xmas, New Year, Easter and the summer holidays are typically the most expensive time of year for UK travellers.
2024/25 examples:
But within peak season, there are some oddities worth noting - travelling on Christmas Day itself or on December 24th/26th can be 10-20% cheaper than the surrounding Saturdays.
Interestingly, while UK hotel prices spike in December, many non-ski European destinations - Budapest, Krakow, Valencia - are actually cheaper in early December than they are in May or September, as there are fewer crowds.
Tip: If you want the festive atmosphere without the peak prices, book your Christmas market trip by the end of September - avoid booking the last weekend before Xmas if you can.
The best time to book depends on where you're going - some places can be cheap almost year round, while others are only worth it outside of their peak season.
Budget-friendly European options:
Sun holidays at lower prices:
Package holidays and all-inclusive deals to Turkey, Egypt and off-peak Canaries can be cheaper if you book 3-6 months in advance outside of school holidays.
Travel operators sometimes undercut DIY bookings by 10-20% when filling charter seats - it's always worth comparing book package holidays versus separate flights and hotels.
Finding cheap holiday options is all about timing and being flexible. If you can travel outside of peak season, you'll unlock some of the best deals on package holidays, international flights and hotels. Off-season travel not only means lower prices, but also fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience. Many travel companies offer discounts for early bookings, so planning your next trip well ahead of time can pay off.
If you're one of those spontaneous types, last minute bargains are still out there - especially for less popular destinations or shoulder season trips. Tools like Google Flights make it easy to spot the cheapest day to fly, and setting up price alerts means you'll be the first to know when prices drop. The cheapest time to book will depend on your travel dates and destination, but with a bit of research and flexibility, you can score some amazing deals on your next holiday. Whether you're booking flights, hotels or package holidays, keeping an eye on prices and being open to different options is a great way to save big on your trip.
Car hire for popular destinations like Mallorca, Faro or Malaga is usually best priced 3-6 months ahead - once the car hire brokers have loaded their inventory, but before all the vehicles have been booked up.
Booking more than 6-8 months out rarely saves you money - prices tend to match up with those booked 5-6 months in advance, unless demand really spikes.
Airport transfers: Standard shuttles are usually fixed-price whether you book months ahead or a week before, though last minute options may have limited times. Compare private transfers to public transport - Athens metro costs €9 compared to €40 for a private car.
Airport parking and hotels: The earlier you book at busy airports like Gatwick, Manchester, and Heathrow - ideally 4-8 weeks - the better off you'll be. Prices can shoot up by 50% if you leave it till the last minute.
The no-brainer is to buy travel insurance at the same time as you pay your deposit or any non-refundable money. Seriously, no exceptions.
Cancellation cover kicks in the moment you buy it, not when you fly out. If you're delaying you're leaving yourself unprotected against illness, getting made redundant, or even if the airline goes bust in the weeks leading up to your trip.
Coverage types:
I recall watching a family member chasing a "bargain" for a July Greek break just two weeks before they were due to fly out. In the end they ended up paying £1,800 for what I'd snapped up at £1,200 back in October—same resort, worse room as well.
Specific guidelines:
| Trip Type | When to Book |
|---|---|
| Summer school holidays | Look 10–12 months out, book 8–10 months before |
| Off-peak European city breaks | 4–10 weeks in advance |
| May half term or popular half term breaks | 3–4 months out |
| Long-haul winter sun | 6–9 months for peak season |
Booking early pros: You get your pick of flights, family rooms and free child places; it lets you secure school holiday dates and spread payments by using your annual leave planning to break them up.
Last minute bargains pros: Sometimes you get excellent value if you're a flexible couple and can travel in May, June, or September. Last-minute deals on a 7 night stay can be a big saving if you are flexible with your travel dates and destinations. But be warned - there are caveats: limited options, awkward flight times and rare availability for August. Last-minute bookings require you to be super flexible to get the best deals.
Hybrid strategy: Book your flights and core hotels well in advance for peak dates, then leave your optional day trips and extras flexible to spot last minute deals.
Generally travelling midweek (Monday to Wednesday) is cheaper than weekend departures from UK airports like Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, and Edinburgh.
Returning on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than Sundays can save you a pretty penny - often £80 less per person on city breaks.
Cheapest overall months for sun-seekers:
July, August and the two weeks around Christmas are the most expensive periods. Even if you've got the best booking timing going on you still can't match off-peak savings.
Check the UK and destination school holiday calendars to avoid foreign public holidays by even a few days - it can make a real difference to the cost.
A bit of forward planning really pays off when it comes to booking your holiday. Booking early gives you access to the best deals, especially if you're travelling during school holidays or other peak times. Travel agents often offer discounts for advance bookings and booking your travel dates months ahead can help you secure lower prices and more choice.
If you're looking to save big, consider planning your trip around less expensive periods like May half term or outside the main summer rush. Using your annual leave wisely is also crucial - booking your holiday well in advance not only helps you snag the best prices, but also ensures you get the time off you want. And don't forget to buy travel insurance as soon as you book so your trip is protected from the word go. A bit of foresight and flexibility can make your next trip both memorable and affordable.
Smart strategies that really work:
Once you've found the really great deals and are finally ready to book your holiday, take a moment to give your booking details a quick once-over - you don't want to get caught out by sneaky fees. Be on the lookout for 'hidden' costs that can creep in - extra baggage charges, resort fees and all those other extras that might sneak up on you. And if you're heading out during half term - which is usually when prices are a bit lower than in the peak summer months - you might find it's a good time to start planning.
When you get to your destination, think about how you're going to get around. Public transport can often be the cheapest and most convenient option - and if you're travelling with a pet, do a bit of research on local pet care services before you go. And if you're one of those people who's been putting off booking your holiday till the last minute - package deals can often be a better option than trying to put flights and hotels together yourself, especially if time's of the essence. Ultimately the best time to book your holiday depends on when you're traveling and where you're going, so just take your time, stay open-minded and use a few smart tricks to make sure you can get your dream holiday without breaking the bank.
We've all wondered if it's true that prices go up because the system knows we're looking at it - but it turns out that's not the case. Most research suggests it's just down to demand and how many seats are left on the plane. Using incognito mode is a good idea, but if you want to get the best deal, it's more about keeping an eye on the prices over a few days - using those price alerts can be a much bigger help than avoiding being tracked.
Well, January does tend to be a good time to book your summer holiday, especially if you're a family who needs to be in a certain place at a certain time. But if you're a bit more flexible, you might be able to get similar deals - or even better ones - in late April or September. Don't get too stressed if you miss the January sales - focus on the 2-6 month window before your holiday for off-peak season, and the 8-10 month window for school holidays.
The truth is, getting a really cheap last minute bargain for a trip in July or August is less and less likely these days. Airlines and travel operators are getting much better at managing their capacity, so there just aren't as many unsold seats left floating around. If you do still manage to get a last minute deal, it's more likely to be a good option if you're a flexible couple or solo traveller who can leave on a weekday to somewhere that's not super popular. Have a backup plan, just in case.
For a quick short-haul beach holiday, a package can often work out cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately, especially if you're getting a charter flight and a free child place. But if you're heading to a city or a place with lots of competition from low cost airlines, it's often better to book flights and hotels separately. Check out both options on the same day, taking into account baggage and transfers, and see which one gives you the best deal overall.
If you've booked through a site that's got a price guarantee scheme, you might be able to get some refund if the prices drop later. But most standard tickets don't work like that - so sometimes it's better to just go for a flexible hotel rate that lets you cancel if a cheaper option comes up. Just remember: booking early isn't just about getting the cheapest price - it's also about getting the flight times and room types you want, which might get sold out even if you do manage to find a cheaper deal later on.
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