Last Minute Holidays in 2026 – When Our Customers Booked and Where They Went

Nearly one in five of the holidays our customers booked in 2026 was booked within a week of departure. We looked at our own bookings to see who was most likely to leave it late and where they chose to go. If you’re thinking about a last minute break yourself, here’s where to start.

How far ahead do our customers book?

Just over half of our packages (51%) were booked within 30 days of departure, including 31% booked within a fortnight. Looking at individual booking windows, one to two months before departure was the most common (20.5%). Only 7% were booked more than six months ahead.

Source: Confirmed Teletext Holidays package bookings made in 2026.

Does it matter who you travel with?

Solo travellers were the most likely to book at short notice. Nearly 28% of solo bookings were made in the final week, compared with 19% for couples and 17% for families and groups. Solo travellers typically booked 22 days ahead, compared with 29 days for couples and 31 days for families and groups.

Source: Teletext Holidays 2026 bookings. Solo means one traveller, couples two, and families and groups three or more.

Where to look for a late getaway

The Algarve, Majorca and Crete are good places to start for a short-haul break. More than a quarter of our bookings to each were made in the final week. Try Lagos in the Algarve for coastal walks, or Palma in Majorca if you want to mix time by the sea with evenings in the old town.

Antalya was our most-booked destination among customers who booked within a week of departure. Those late bookings accounted for 17.6% of all our Antalya bookings. If you fancy an all-inclusive break, try the resorts around Lara Beach. Around one in ten of our bookings to Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada was made within a week of departure.

Source: Teletext Holidays 2026 bookings. Percentages show the share booked within seven days for each of our most-booked destinations.

Five tips for booking last minute

• Check another departure airport. Compare flight times and factor in the cost of getting to the airport.
• Try shifting your dates. A day either side could open up different flights and hotels. Compare the total package cost with any luggage or transfers you need.
• Consider a short-haul break. If you only have a few days away, check flight and transfer times so you know how much time you’ll have at the resort.
• Check your travel documents. Make sure everyone’s passport meets the destination’s entry requirements before you book.
• Give yourself time for peak weeks. Start looking earlier if you’re tied to school holiday dates or need a specific room type.

Already got a date in mind? Browse our last-minute holiday deals or give our travel experts a call. Tell us when you can go, where you can fly from and what you’d like to spend. We’ll help you find a break that works.