booking holiday last minute? How cheap does it get?

[Piddypigeon]

I haven't been on holiday with the DC but I promised to take them somewhere this year. They are absolutely desperate to go somewhere in the sun.

I have a teeny tiny budget only (max 1.5k for the three of us, DC are teenagers if that makes a price difference) and couldn't find anything now for the Summer.

Is booking last minute an option to get something really cheap in the school hols? I am thinking of booking a week of annual leave and then try to find something at short notice for very little money?

Both have disabilities, and camping is out of question. We need a hotel.

https://www.jet2holidays.com/beach/greece/crete-heraklion-area/piskopiano/piskopiano-village?duration=7&airport=3&date=03-08-2024&occupancy=r1c14_15&board=4&oflight=1123503&iflight=1123506&rooms=58413&gtmsearchtype=Smart%20Search&smartsearchid=e80913e3-c83c-4a43-b859-63066b487a0f

Im not trying to put a dampener on any possible trip, and definitely think you will find something within budget, but I would be concerned about getting seats together on the plane at shorter notice and mindful of the cost of travel insurance depending on your DS’s needs.
Eating out abroad is currently quite expensive, as it is here too.

https://www.wowcher.co.uk/deals/travel?st_cid=GoogleShopping&ito=GoogleProducts_RevenueMarketing_Wowcher-Revenue---BL-CSS_BL|Smart-Shopping|Travel_UK_Travel_desktop&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpNuyBhCuARIsANJqL9PLG9rTYS_vOGaUP75tnzXL89MYsoNfAKVSxYQ8XzTwMJvE7HG7UVoaAn82EALw_wcB

Try booking.com

full board here with 3 people for 1200 then flights on top.

https://www.booking.com/Share-aF8yyY

An influencer tried one of these mystery voucher holidays recently and recommended it.

www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-mystery-holiday-maldives-thailand-nyc-more-2?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk_mb_sea_ggl_txt_gtw_sr_cbp_chg_nbr_k*_m*_d*_g*_c693013512697_ap_t*dsa-2272453093611&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpNuyBhCuARIsANJqL9OsssK6I6OU2TQBr71MkBfVBCi8GiRvd3S03emBfj2Z4pvU578PhDgaAjlbEALw_wcB&bypass=true

Yes I agree. You used to be able to get cheap holidays last minute but not any more.
Im retired so can go last minute outside of the school holidays but its still cheaper to book a year in advance.

First week August, AI, Benidorm so loads on and from Manchester

https://www.easyjet.com/en/holidays/spain/costa-blanca/benidorm/magic-cristal-park-hotel?ibf=true&to=08-08-2024&from=01-08-2024&dst=ALL&sAccId=&geog=ALL&flex=7&org=MAN&aa=1&rooms=2_1:15&outId=E22283b1f0d9a2bd2b20ba34871526f37&inId=Ee55417b2f4f51e68e27e77dd84a1ca82&accId=ESCB0044&packId=2170680859/2/2409/7&boardType=AI&offerRooms=2_1:15/DB01&transfer=W2MS009665SS&dtransfer=W2MS009665SS&isExt=0&lateRoomCheckout=0&theme=beach&utm_source=easyjetholidays&utm_medium=share_icon&utm_campaign=Copy&utm_term=en&utm_content=UK

Cruise? they are very good value for money and really cheap last minute deals.

I echo people saying loveholidays, I booked some holidays on there a few times. You can also look into going away the last week of school and just paying the fine, it might work out cheaper?

I hope you update this thread letting us know what you ended up booking because I'm quite invested now lol

I’ve just done a quick search on Jet2, looking at Spain, Balearics, Canaries, Greece. Provided both DCs are under 17 at the date you return you’ll get a free child place and there were lots of things coming back for under £1500 all in, flying from Manchester in the last week in August.

Hope that you find something that suits and you can look forward to a break. As others have said make sure to check your passports before booking.

Nice is very very expensive, don’t even try

How are you all with the heat @Piddypigeon ?
Just to bear in mind that some destinations are going to feel more comfortable than others in July/August . Ie Turkey, North Africa are likely to be hotter than somewhere like Portugal or some of the Spanish destinations .

Let us know how you get on. I love thinking about holidays

lots of holidays to Turkey and spain for £250-£350 PP for flights and accomodation

No it's not and wouldn't advise it either.
You had no idea where you were going to end up and no idea of your transfer time either to resort.

I often book very last minute holidays because my dh can never seem to sort his annual leave out and it always seems wayyyyy more expensive to book last minute. I’d be surprised if you find anything for that budget but one option is to check Ryan air for stupidly cheap flights anywhere then find cheaper accommodation accordingly.

There are more than you think under 500 PP. Most will be 3 start and food will be a standard buffet, but there even some 4 start last minute deals.
Go to a travel agency they will look for last minute good deal.

Google lucky trip. It's an app. You put in your budget and it finds a holiday for you in your budget within the next three months.

Ooh that sound amazing!

your budget is really tiny. £500 for a weeks holiday per person when you want to go abroad and have accommodation and food .

It's just not really realistic, particularly in the summer holidays.

Your best bet is france, driving and camping but even that is going to be a struggle on that budget

Even flight tax will be £50 per person for a return flight

I've just put 3 people to anywhere from
Your airports 5/8 and holidays are available for about £600 each all inclusive.

And remember to include cost of travel insurance. Probably about £70 or £80 but if additional health problems would be more.

And airport parking is another £100

Just had a quick look and there are some bargains, I'm in Tenerife in at the moment so school holidays and I got return flights for £108pp flying from Gatwick.

Yes it is - my DC’s school breaks up on 17th July and in Scotland they break up right at the start

We've also stayed at San Giorgio in Kefalonia, we booked last minute in the summer holidays 2022 and the price dropped 50%. We paid £480pp all inclusive flights included. Kefalonia is stunning.