Last minute holidays

MrsSkellers

So earlier this year we decided not to book a summer holiday but decided instead to wait and see if we could get something last minute. Looking online, anything within 4 weeks is classed as last minute and the prices don't seem much different. I was just wondering whether it was worth waiting until the very last minute then actually going into a travel agent on the high street to see if they have better deals than online? Has anybody actually done this?

richardw

Are there any good deals to Turkey?

EdGasket

In my experience, the best deals are around 6 to 8 weeks before departure when the package companies are desperate to fill planes up. If you are not too fussy where to go then you can get some good discounts. We've had good reductions for Austria and Greece. Nearer departure they start going up again as the last one or two plane seats get expensive. Also it is better to go in June than July pricewise.

Make sure the holiday is what you want; cheap doesn't mean good value. Always read reviews; no point paying for food if the food is no good.

Alan_Bowen

Last minute holidays to Spain and Portugal are very expensive this year just because that is where everyone wants to go. Thomas Cooks probably have last minute deals to Turkey, but then there is a reason no one else wants to go, you must make your own mind up about safety.

I have also seen hotels that have never appeared on sale in the UK being offered at the last minute, these have been contracted in the last few weeks and may have few if any English speakers in the hotel, if that doesn't bother you, fine but be aware 2016 is a very strange holiday year, only 10 days ago 110,000 extra people had to start re booking accommodation when Low Cost went bust so there isn't much left.

Some of the Greek islands haven't sold as well for fear, unfounded in most cases, of Syrian refugees so someone like Olympic Holidays might be able to help.

artichoke

Hi

sorry for hijacking this thread - i am watching the replies with interest as i have also been looking for last minute for end of august... BUT I have never booked before either last minute or a package so i have no idea what a bargain actually is!! We are a family of 4 so what sorts of prices would be a good deal for 7 nights in Spain, or Italy or Greece etc?

I have looked today and it seems to be around £1,500 - £2,500 which seems really expensive to me!

Ours kids go back to school on 6th September so we are looking at 28th August for 7 nights....

thanks

Art

Moto2

artichoke wrote: »

Hi


I have looked today and it seems to be around £1,500 - £2,500 which seems really expensive to me!

Ours kids go back to school on 6th September so we are looking at 28th August for 7 nights....

From where?

artichoke

Moto2 wrote: »

From where?

from the north west / midlands airports... we can travel to any airport for a cheap deal provided we land in time to get the kids back to school the next day... so not a late night flight if the airport is further afield... english not being spoken in hotels is fine.

I just need a rough idea of what price "bargains" really are as we have never done this before and not sure if they are out of our price range... For the past few years i have been very organised and booked in advance for flights or long distance european train travel / sleeper trains.... and booked local accommodation from Spanish / French websites as we usually go when the "local' school children are all returning to school on 1st september as we usually go back a week later than that.. the 6th August is the earlies they have gone back for quite a while..;(



art

littlereddevil

Many years ago when I used to book package holidays , I always wanted to wait until the last minute to see what I could get. However I never did it, always booking by six weeks before

richardw

artichoke wrote: »

... so we are looking at 28th August for 7 nights....

artichoke wrote: »

.... we can travel to any airport for a cheap deal......

Cheap flight

Ryanair - Flight 4548 (Economy) 2h 40m
17:35 Sun, 28 Aug BGY Milan, Italy
21:15 Sun, 28 Aug CHQ Chania (Crete), Greece
Fare Details
Ticket
1 adult €21.99

piglet74

I booked on Saturday, Cyprus,
There was deals for self catering, but we wanted all inclusive,

Would £1500 for four not be a great deal?

artichoke

richardw wrote: »

Cheap flight

Ryanair - Flight 4548 (Economy) 2h 40m
17:35 Sun, 28 Aug BGY Milan, Italy
21:15 Sun, 28 Aug CHQ Chania (Crete), Greece
Fare Details
Ticket
1 adult €21.99

thanks - i can find cheap flights out to various places -including barcelona which was our first choice BUT the return flights back the weekend of 3rd Sept are £150 each....

that's why i wondered if a package would work out better...?