Are last minute bargain holidays a thing?

[JMSA]

Hi. I’d love a solo holiday this summer. Just a chance to rest and recharge by the beach for a week. I’m thinking half board at a decent hotel. But what I’m wondering is, do the tour operators slash the prices at the last minute (like a few weeks or days before)? Or are prices only likely to go up?
I’ve never done it last minute before, so I’m not sure how it would pan out.
Thanks.

Shamelessly place marking as I’d like to know this too ☀️

Not in the UK, in my EU country- yes, they do, but relevant discounts appear only a few days before the departure date.
It typically means very limited choice, and requires a bit of date flexibility plus minus a few days.

We live near smaller airport, so it can happen there is absolutely nothing available at the top dates, as all flights are full.

Package holidays?
During low season, yes.
During peak season ie school summer holidays, no.

Scheduled or low cost airlines will get more expensive the later you book.

Yes they can. I follow a lot of travel agents (Hays) online and always see bargains for the next few weeks ahead.

I think they were a thing of the 1990s.
The best prices are usually if you book a year ahead or book in the days immediately before Christmas in my experience.
In fact the closer you get to departure the narrower the choice.
If you are flexible about the airport, flight time and destination you will still get a holiday though not necessarily a bargain.

Thanks everyone. I have no interest in holidaying in the UK this year - it’s pouring at the moment here in Edinburgh - and I definitely want to catch a plane to the sun.
Growing up, we lived near Glasgow Airport. I remember my parents getting a very last minute bargain break to the Italian lakes. Maybe those days are gone 😁
I guess I thought there might be something unsold, seeing as it’ll just be me.

There are definitely last minute deals, but in my experience the prices start to decrease from 8 weeks away from departure. In fact, I'm 'watching' a holiday now and that's already decreased.

It may be worthwhile selecting the exact resort you'd like to go to, researching a few hotels, 'watch' a few dates that work in for you, noting down the price fluctuations.

If it's a European destination you're looking for, try TUI or Jet2.

I tend to book 1 holiday far in advance (I like planning everything out) and then book another holiday as a 'late deal'. If you can book that with 6-8 weeks to departure, you will have more options.

Hope you find a great holiday!

Thank you all 💕

I’ve found single deals to Fuerteventura/The Canaries most years from early December coming home before Christmas Eve. Bonus of it being quiet also and getting a row of 3 seats on the aircraft...

Similar single deals around now - when the rest of the wider med is opening up for summer - and Canary Island hotels now have competition and more flight spaces to fill.

I got a big reduction on a recent single end of winter season holiday in Europe by booking just 4 days before departure, but haven’t seen many similar offers.

I’m seeing a lot of cases where a holiday and flights are definitely available for 2 persons, (actively searching this evening) but when I change to 1 person - the default option then says “sold out” (it’s infuriating - because there are spaces, but they won’t sell them to us).

I generally find more single options in early season and again from 1 Sep onwards, similarly offers appear close to school half terms, where hotels want to stay open to get the £££ business from families - but there are cheaper single spaces on offer in the week before.

Prices definitely go both up and down, it's supply and demand. Choice of resort can obviously be quite limited the later you book. Are you tied to school holidays or do you mean at any point in the 'summer'? You are probably not going to be able to grab a bargain, but have a browse at departures for next week just to get an idea of what current last minute prices look like. We went to the Carribbean during Easter school hols, flew end of March and the flight only prices dropped 40% during Feb. I was monitoring daily trying to decide best time to book! The packages were also dropping in price, but choice of hotel was quite limited with the packages. I definitely can't say I grabbed a bargain, but we did paid less than current prices for same trip over Easter 2027.

Jet2 have half board to Sicily from Edinburgh this coming week from £589.

I am limited to the Scottish school holidays. Mid July would be perfect.

Thanks but the timing isn’t right and I was there just a couple of years ago 😊

Do you have a budget or location in mind? If we spot a bargain we can post it here

Yep, I've just booked an all inclusive holiday to Gran Canaria for a week, 2 adults 2 kids... £1277!

Most holiday companies quite often reduce their holidays closer to the departure date to try and get them sold but they're not really the bargains that existed in the 80s and 90s. It's impossible to predict how many holidays will be available and how much reduction there will be. It's all down to supply and demand.

Take a look at Jet2 and TUI and see what they're offering. They usually include luggage and transfers, whereas Olympic Holidays often don't include these.
Do you have particular dates in mind and any specific destination?

Easyjet just started flying direct to Ljubljana from Edinburgh. I just checked, and currently, the 22nd of July has flights for 60€ Ed-Lj!!!

Thank you and definitely one for the future! But a beach break is in order for this summer, rather than a city break ☺️

Not sure about bargain bucket prices (because the headline prices are already expensive) but tour operators absolutely do sell cheap if you are willing to book last minute. We got a Lake Garda holiday last year with TUI at half the original price, booking within 2 weeks of departure. Obviously you get much less choice, but conversely some very nice places then come into budget.

The worries about jet fuel supplies had really impacted the level summer bookings apparently. Have a look at booking direct rather than a tour company, you might get a deal.

Ljubljana airport (Brnik) is half way between Ljubljana and Lake Bled (25 mins on the highway either direction) . So you don't have to go into the city head straight to Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj and decompress...

I’ve been to both lakes - albeit years ago - and it was absolutely beautiful. Just not the vibe I’m going for this time.