What is the sweet spot for booking holidays in school holiday

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Sorry, it won't let me go back and put the question mark in the title, so have one here?

Anyway, if I'm wanting a typical AI somewhere sunny type holiday, TUI package or similar (definitely don't want to self cater or do separate flights and hotel) in May half term or the summer holidays, when is the best time to book to get it the cheapest?

Far in advance-if so how far? A year? More? Or very last minute?

18 months

I'd book a year in advance or 10 months.

Try and do it when there's and offer on or do it in a reward credit card which also use to pay off balance. 12 months it means you have 9 months to get the money.

Do a low deposit and if you have to cancel it's losing couple of £100 not £1000s

If you’re not set on exactly where and when you want to go, I’d wait for a Black Friday discount code

I’ve done that in the past, as well as January sales

We have had consistent luck with TUI prices if booking straight after Christmas - before end of January for May half term, and then 3-4 weeks out for summer holidays but with that there is a risk on availability being more limited if you need certain room types etc.

Alternative for budgeting is booking July/august packages early (year before etc) and then spreading the cost but it won’t necessarily be the best price. I can’t face booking July/august packages early as the prices change so much over time.

With TUI they seem to do the free child places offer in different ways, one lot when early on and releasing them and then they come off and then go back on again for a lot of holidays when selling the last rooms few weeks/a month before.

Have just booked flights and hotel for Easter hols next year!

May HT is generally more expensive as everyone is off at the same time whereas Easter and summer vary a bit.
A travel agent told me if going in summer if possible wait until towards the end of the school holidays as so many people want to jet off as soon as schools break up that the prices go up.

Thanks. It's not booking early to budget that's the issue, it's just when to get the best price. Seems very confusing with early deals Vs black Friday Vs Jan sales Vs last minute deals!

Oh that's interesting, I was thinking May would be cheaper because it's not peak summer but maybe avoid then! Will look at end of August for next year then maybe.

We get 2 weeks in May which is always a bonus and last week of August prices start to tail a smidge. Always 6months plus for us as don’t want to risk seating on flights.

To be honest I'm not sure there is an awful lot of variation anymore. I've booked 12+months in advance for the last couple of years then tracked the prices as the date has got closer. The prices have stayed pretty consistent.

If you have somewhere specific in mind or are going to a popular resort then I'd book as far in advance as possible.