Why are they SO expensive now

[Sallymads]

I’ve been looking for our family of 5 and the prices now are so expensive! Even with a free child place. I don’t think we’ll get away at all this year, same as last. Or maybe my expectations are all wrong for what you can get for your money?!
I found a perfect package deal on Tui with free child place, spent the day convincing my dh, and by the next day the price had shot up. Urgh
Has anybody had any last minute success? Booking a couple of weeks before they fly?

We've booked one of the Barut Hotels in Turkey (next May), they get good reviews

Some years ago a colleague and I compared the all in cost of our luxury (ie eating out when we wanted) self drive mobilehome holiday in Provence with his 5 star AI holiday in Turkey and the costs were very similar. If memory serves it was around £4.5k for a fortnight in school holidays. This was about 12 years ago.

https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/results?adults=2&childAges=4%2C7%2C10&children=3&dateFormat=specific&departureDate=2024-08-03&flexibility=3&hotelIds=&infants=0&locationIds=&nights=7&departureRangeEndDate=2024-08-03&rooms=0&searchType=holiday&departureAirports=&filters%5Bpopularfilters%5D%5B0%5D=AI&filters%5Bboarddbasis%5D%5B0%5D=AI&bags=0&sort=PRICELOWWHIGH

I think you've left it too late to get a bargain this summer. Historically 6-8 weeks before has been the cheapest time to book but last minute deals don't really exist in peak times. January seems to be the best time to book, we saw AI for five around £3500 when we first looked then, but by the time we were ready to book in February the prices had all gone up to at least £4000, the hotel we wanted had jumped to £5000 so we booked an alternative around £4200. To book the same hotel today would be £4800.

Could half board work for you? Fill up on breakfast then you just need some snacks and bottles of drink from the supermarket to last you until big buffet dinner?

This will be our last year going on a flying holiday as it's not worth the money in school holidays. Next year we're buying a tent and will head off camping around France instead. Fresh pastries and baguettes for breakfast and lunch then eating out in the evening so minimal time spent cooking. Hoping not to spend more than £2000 for a week.

I am also finding holidays very expensive. Maybe as I have two children who are now classed as adults 😫 and am limited to school holidays.

Thank you, I had a look and flights to Izmir were under £200 each, the hotel I was looking at on Tui was 3.5k more though, booking independently 😱 I thought it might be cheaper! X

Try booking directly with hotels. We are a family of 5 too and I don't agree with self-catering being more expensive. It's much cheaper.

We used love holidays and got a right deal in a way but I think you'd be better not doing this and doing all inclusive. Family of 4, 4 days in an aparthotel in Salou - £1250 self catering. We spent another £1200 there and just wished we had paid more for the all inclusive and maybe even a fancier place. Also didn't sleep as Salou is a party place 😴😭

Love holidays seem to have some reasonable deals and it's easy to see all the different flight prices times etc!