All you need to know for a last minute getaway...
Fancy getting away but haven’t booked anything yet? Sometimes leaving it late can open up some fantastic holiday opportunities.
Whether you’re looking for a week in the sunshine, a spontaneous city break or an All Inclusive escape, booking a last minute holiday can be an exciting way to travel.
But how late can you actually book? Are last minute holidays always cheaper? And what should you check before booking?
Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about booking a last minute holiday from the UK.
What is considered a last minute holiday?
There isn't a fixed definition, but a last minute holiday generally means booking relatively close to your departure date.
For some people, that might mean travelling within the next four to six weeks. For others, it could mean packing the suitcase and heading to the airport within a few days.
Availability can change quickly, particularly during popular travel periods, so being flexible with your dates, destination and hotel can make it easier to find a good last minute holiday.
Are last minute holidays cheaper?
They can be, but not always.
Tour operators occasionally reduce prices close to departure when they still have aircraft seats or hotel rooms available. This can produce some excellent late holiday deals.
However, waiting until the last minute doesn't guarantee a cheaper holiday. During busy periods such as the school summer holidays, Christmas, Easter and half-term, demand can be high and availability limited.
If you've found a holiday you're happy with at a price you're comfortable paying, waiting for it to become cheaper can mean risking losing it altogether.
When is the best time to book a last minute holiday?
There's no magic number of days before departure that guarantees the lowest price.
Last minute holiday prices are influenced by factors including:
Flight availability
Hotel availability
Destination
Departure airport
Travel dates
School holidays
Overall demand
If you're flexible about where you travel, your departure date and even your UK airport, you'll usually have more options to choose from.
How late can I book a package holiday?
It can sometimes be possible to book a package holiday only a few hours before departure, depending on availability and the tour operator.
However, before booking a very late holiday, make sure everyone travelling has the correct documentation and meets the entry requirements for your chosen destination.
This is particularly important if you're tempted by a bargain departing in the next few days.
What should I check before booking a last minute holiday?
Before booking, check your passport and the current entry requirements for your destination.
You should also consider:
Passport validity
Visa or entry requirements
Current FCDO travel advice
Travel insurance
Baggage allowance
Airport transfers
Resort or tourist taxes
Check-in arrangements
Any health or vaccination requirements relevant to your destination
Don't assume that because you've visited a destination previously the requirements will still be exactly the same.
Do I need travel insurance for a last minute holiday?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended even when you're booking just a few days before departure.
The UK Government recommends buying appropriate travel insurance and checking that it provides the cover you need, including medical treatment and emergency repatriation. If you have existing medical conditions, make sure these are correctly declared to your insurer.
Ideally, arrange your travel insurance as soon as you book rather than waiting until the day you travel. Our partners at Rush Insurance offer travel insurance, see for yourself by clicking here.
Do I need to check my passport before booking?
Yes.
Before booking a last minute holiday, check that your passport meets the entry requirements of the country you're planning to visit.
Different destinations can have different passport validity rules, so don't rely on what applied to a previous holiday.
This is particularly important with last minute travel because there may be little time available to resolve a passport problem before departure.
Are last minute package holidays ATOL protected?
If you book a flight-inclusive package holiday from an ATOL-protected travel company, you should receive an ATOL Certificate explaining the protection that applies to your booking. ATOL protection does not automatically apply to every type of travel arrangement, so check the protection relating to the holiday you're booking.
The fact that you've booked at the last minute doesn't change the importance of checking your financial protection.
Is it better to book a last minute package holiday through a travel agent?
A travel agent can be particularly useful when you're booking at short notice.
Instead of spending hours searching through hundreds of holidays, tell us your budget, preferred departure airport, dates, number of passengers and what you're looking for, and we can search the available options for you.
We can also explain what's included in the price and help you check important details before you book.
Sometimes a conversation with an experienced travel agent can uncover an option you hadn't even considered.
Where are the best destinations for last minute sunshine?
During the summer, popular choices can include destinations such as:
Spain • Balearic Islands • Greece • Turkey • Cyprus • Portugal
For winter sunshine, you might consider destinations including:
Canary Islands • Egypt • Cape Verde • Dubai
The best destination isn't necessarily the one with the cheapest headline price. Think about expected temperatures, flight times, board basis, resort style and what's included in your holiday.
Can I book a last minute All Inclusive holiday?
Absolutely. Last minute All Inclusive Holidays from Newcastle are particularly popular with travellers who want to know that most of their holiday essentials are already covered.
Depending on the hotel and package, All Inclusive holidays can include meals, snacks and selected drinks, with some resorts offering additional facilities or entertainment.
Always check exactly what the individual hotel's All Inclusive package includes before booking.
Can families book last minute holidays?
Yes, although families may have less flexibility than couples travelling outside school holidays.
Family rooms and hotels with popular facilities such as waterparks, kids' clubs and larger rooms can fill quickly during peak periods.
If you're travelling during the school holidays and have a particular hotel or destination in mind, booking earlier can give you considerably more choice.
If you're flexible, however, it's still worth checking what's available.
Can I book a last minute holiday from Newcastle Airport?
Yes. There are plenty of opportunities to book last minute holidays from Newcastle Airport, depending on the season and remaining availability.
Destinations available from Newcastle vary throughout the year, so rather than limiting your search to one particular resort, consider telling us what you want from your holiday.
For example:
"We want somewhere hot, All Inclusive, flying from Newcastle next week for around £600 per person."
Give us the challenge and we can search for holidays that match.
Can I book a last minute city break?
Yes. Last minute travel isn't just about traditional seven-night beach holidays.
A spontaneous city break can be ideal if you only have a few days available. Depending on flight availability, cities across Europe can work particularly well for a three or four-night escape.
Again, flexibility can be your friend.
Should I wait for the price of my holiday to drop?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer because nobody can guarantee what will happen to a holiday price.
A price could fall – but it could also rise, or the holiday could sell out completely.
Flights, particular room types and popular hotels can disappear quickly as the departure date approaches.
If you've found the right holiday at a price you're happy with, consider whether saving a little more would be worth the risk of losing the holiday you actually want.
How can I find the best last minute holiday deal?
Start with a budget rather than a destination.
Tell your travel agent:
When you can travel
How many nights you want
Where you can fly from
How many people are travelling
Your preferred board basis
Your maximum budget
Then see what's available.
Being flexible with the destination, departure date or hotel can dramatically increase your options.
Can JLM Travel help me find a last minute holiday?
Of course!
At JLM Travel, we love searching for a great getaway – especially when you're ready to pack your suitcase and go.
Whether you're looking for a last minute holiday from Newcastle, a quick escape from another UK airport, an All Inclusive sunshine break, a family holiday, couples' getaway, city break or cruise, speak to our team and let us know what you're looking for.
Tell us your dates, budget and departure airport and we'll do the searching for you.
Sometimes the perfect holiday isn't the destination you originally had in mind.
Looking for a Last Minute Holiday?
Ready to get away?
Send us a message, call us or pop into your local JLM Travel branch and tell us:
When can you go?
Where can you fly from?
What's your budget?
We'll help you explore the options and find somewhere you'll love.
