Last minute holiday bookings can be a rollercoaster of emotions - usually involving a combination of both excitement and stress! But booking your ideal getaway doesn't need to drive you crazy, or break the bank, even on short notice. 

That’s why we’ve put together some of our top tips to help you get the most out of your spontaneous getaway.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH

If you have ever tried to book any sort of holiday, then you’ve probably noticed that the first package or hotel you come across may not be the one you fall in love with. Don’t be sucked into booking the first place you find - instead, do your research! There are hundreds of great hotels and destinations out there that can fit around your travel dates and budget. You never know, you might come across somewhere you’ve never considered before - whether it’s a seafront B&B in the Algarve or a luxurious all inclusive in Cyprus.

A great tool to use is filter options. These allow you to modify your search and eliminate or refine any area of your holiday. Whether that be price, location, star rating or facilities, this will mean you can narrow down your options and find the perfect one for you. Discover our destination guide pages for the best places to stay and things to see and do in your chosen resort, or for more inspiration check out our last minute deals page and pick a destination that suits you!   

BE FLEXIBLE

So, you’re now a research guru, but have you found that perfect holiday yet? If not, now it's time to be flexible - not only on destinations, but flight times too. Most airlines are more likely to discount the red-eye flights that depart early morning or arrive late. Plus, if you allow for some flexibility on your travel times then you might find you can save some money while still flying on your desired travel dates. Better still, if you want to be savvy, returning to a different airport than you originally flew from can also save a few pennies. 

Bonus Tip: Don't forget to research the surrounding airports to find potentially lower prices.  

TRAVEL MID-WEEK

When wanderlust hits, the urge to book a last minute holiday is hard to resist – but if it hits on a weekend you might be better holding off a day or two. Mid-week flight prices are cheaper than those over the weekend, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being the best times to fly – avoiding peak times and the business crowd, who often travel on a Friday evening and a Monday morning. Also, by booking onto a last minute flight the left over seats available are more likely to be discounted – since airlines will want these to be filled! 

SIGN UP TO NEWSLETTERS

No-one likes to be bombarded with emails from millions of travel sites, but if you’ve got no obvious destinations in mind, these can be your saving grace. By subscribing to emails from your favourite travel magazines, websites (ahem…get subscribing to our emails!) or airlines you can get tons of inspiration on where’s hot to visit right now. You can then use this information to hit the internet and find the best deals for those destinations, on the dates you want to travel.

For example, it may be that your last minute break in November is inspired by an influx of emails about Dubai, while February throws up tons of great information about year-round sun in Cancun. Plenty of options to get those creative juices flowing!   

DOUBLE UP ON A DEAL

Sometimes in life you have to spend a little to save a little more, and that's the same when booking a holiday. In some instances, if you manage to book your flight, hotel, transfer and activities at once, you can reduce the overall cost of your getaway - especially if you’re traveling with a larger group or family, as many travel agents offer money off on these combo deals. 

Not only that, but if you don’t plan to travel too far away from the resort, or eat in the local town, then all inclusive holidays can be a life-saver. All inclusive packages usually offer you the whole 9 yards, covering flights, hotel, food and drink, and even some basic activities and entertainment depending on the hotel you choose. Although they may cost more upfront, you can relax on your break knowing that everything’s already covered. Perfect for those seeking a last minute getaway where they won’t have to lift a finger!

CALL A TRAVEL AGENT

Searching for a holiday can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unclear on which destination you want to head to, or want to know where’s best to visit in which month. That’s why calling your travel agent and speaking to an expert is recommended. Call 0203 773 8710 to speak to one of our team and we’ll help you tailor your holiday to best suit your dates, preferred board option, budget and more – plus, you may discover a destination or hotel you hadn’t considered before. Well, what are you waiting for?!...

Have you got anymore tips to share from your experiences? Let us know how you book last minute breaks over on Twitter, or check out some of our destination guides if you’re looking for inspiration.