As the half-term break – October 26 to November 3 – is fast approaching, parents nationwide are on the hunt for last-minute holiday deals that won’t cost the earth.
Although time is already running out, ticket experts assure there’s still an opportunity to snag affordable flights and family-friendly holidays last-minute.
Experts suggest that the prime day to secure your last-minute half-term getaway for maximum savings is October 13.
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com, clarifies: “Contrary to what many travellers believe, industry data suggests that booking flights within a window of 8 to 23 days before departure can offer some of the most competitive prices for international travel.
“We also know through historical external data that travellers can sometimes save up to 24% on flights if they book them on a Sunday, particularly within this 8 to 23-day window.
The exact date to book a cheap last-minute half-term holiday, according to travel experts (Image: Getty)
“Given this timeline, October 13 falls perfectly within that range, making this the optimal date to secure those last-minute more affordable family holiday bookings ahead of this half-term.”
In addition to strategic booking days, there are also specific days that tend to be cheaper for flying.
Studies show that families departing on a Friday can save up to 26%, especially when heading to popular destinations like Universal Orlando Resort or Disneyland Paris.
Oliver has pinpointed October 13 as the prime date to book your flights, with the optimal flying date being October 25, just as school breaks up, reports .
For those casting their eyes towards the festive season, ticketing gurus have crunched the numbers to reveal when to snap up those eleventh-hour Christmas getaway tickets.
Experts say the best dates to book a last-minute Christmas holiday are the 8th and 15th of December (Image: Getty)
Oliver advises: “Following the same 8-23-days prior to travel formula, and honing in on the Sunday bookings and Friday flights rule, we can already identify that the best dates to book a last-minute Christmas holiday.”
He pinpoints December 8 and 15 for booking, with departure dates of either December 13 or 20.
The expert further notes: “In my experience, prices at Christmas almost always tend to spike the week before, so you can avoid this by making sure you book ahead of December 17.”
He cautions: “Remember, it’s a risk to book things last-minute, so opt for using ticketing sites with fixed pricing models like ours and always do your research to get the best deals.”
If you wish to save yourself more money when travelling, one of the easiest ways to cut costs is by ditching checked baggage and sticking to carry-on luggage only. According to Skyscanner, checked baggage can cost up to £101 per bag on flights from the UK, depending on the airline, making your flight much more expensive.
Most airlines allow you to bring a duty-free bag on the flight alongside your carry-on for no extra charge, a fact that most people don’t take full advantage of. If you find yourself with a few extra items that won’t fit in your carry-on, ask for a carrier bag in one of the duty-free shops after going through security and place your extra items inside.
This will allow you to take them on your flight without having to pay extra. While it is essential to double check the policies of your airline, this trick could save you paying extra baggage fees even if your luggage doesn’t quite fit in your carry-on.