Best time to book a last minute holiday in August

Lillyclaw

I am looking for some tips and when is the best time to book an all inclusive holiday anywhere (as long as warm) in August?

agrinnall

If you want a last minute holiday then the only time to book it is last minute - the clue is in the name. I suspect that you don't actually want a last minute holiday unless that happens to be the cheapest option. Whether it is or not I can't help with as it's not the sort of holiday I'd ever do, but I'm sure others will have some options for you.

maman

I don't think there's really a 'best' time, it all depends on what's left over from the allocations that companies have taken up with airlines and hotels. There are so many possible reasons why this might or might not happen ( the weather in this country, how hard austerity is hitting and Brexit etc).


It depends on how important it is to you to have a holiday. You can take the risk that there's something available at a good price at the very last minute but you could end up paying full price or having no holiday at all.

SweetPotatoPie

Just be warned - August is the most popular month of the year. I attempted this once and left it until 2 weeks before. There was literally nothing available, ended up paying over the odds for a week in Turkey.

Caz3121

if you are looking second half of august, look at offer from Scottish airports as the schools will be back.
With peak season, the accommodation that is left may be at the poorer end (a poor all inclusive could end up costing you more £s as you may opt to pay to eat elsewhere)

pattycake

It’s the holidays that no one else wants that are sold off. If you know what you want, get it booked whilst there is choice.

I always book well in advance and I think I get the best prices. Four holidays books for this year. I’m currently enjoying an Easter break, 5* adults only in a pool access room. I got a good deal having booked last summer.

maman

pattycake wrote: »

It’s the holidays that no one else wants that are sold off. If you know what you want, get it booked whilst there is choice.

I always book well in advance and I think I get the best prices. Four holidays books for this year. I’m currently enjoying an Easter break, 5* adults only in a pool access room. I got a good deal having booked last summer.

You're right. The apartment I booked for my sunshine holiday in June is booked a year in advance.

I'd only do last minute if it was an impromptu break or a city where I was more concerned about getting there to see the sights than where my hotel was.

dawyldthing

Don’t rule out self catering even with kids. For how much you spend on all inclusive you could eat and drink like a king in many places, esp if you pick duty free up and are at a place with a bar. Imho all inclusive is false economy

freyasmum

As long as you're truly not fussy, we have found that the best time is around 10-12 weeks before the holiday. Not ALWAYS the case, I'm sure, but it has so far proven to be the case with Jet2.

My sister booked a few days before they flew last year and ended up paying more than she would have done if they'd booked in advance. I'm sure the companies now think that if you're going to go away, then you'll go no matter what the cost.

We flew the second half of August last year and saved around £700 by flying from Glasgow rather than a London airport as the school holidays are over up there. Even factoring in the flights to Glasgow and back, we saved at least £500. We went to kefalonia for a week AI for a shade over £1000.

If you have a firm idea of where you want to go, then book well in advance.

Also consider self catering or building a holiday yourself by searching for flights/eurotunnel/ferry and accommodation separately.