Cover from just £2.28*
*Based on an individual aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions taking single trip cover for 3 days to France. Cover starts on January 11th, 2025 and ends on January 14th, 2025. Price correct as of January 14th, 2025.
Thousands of holidays
Compare 20+ trusted brands
Book your getaway with confidence
Part of MoneySuperMarket
Saving you money for almost 20 years
Expert travel advice
Get the latest holiday tips and inspiration
We compare millions of holidays from the UK’s leading travel companies
Last-minute holidays are all about embracing your spontaneous side – and scoring a great deal while you’re at it. After all, there’s no better feeling than knowing the person in the plane seat next to you paid double what you did.
Finding a cheap last-minute holiday is all about flexibility. From the big stuff, like your destination, right down to the little details such as your flight time, keeping an open mind is the key to getting a last-minute bargain.
You’ll have more luck if you’re looking outside of peak travel periods, too. If you can, avoid school and bank holidays and travel during less popular times (early or late in the day, or during the week) to increase your chances of finding a package holiday price you love.
Don't know where you want to go? Try these package deals
Sunny Days Palma De Mirette Resort & Spa
Prices from
El Karma Aqua Beach Resort
3.5
Fair
Prices from
Le Pacha Resort
3.7
Good
Prices from
There’s a point in winter, usually not long into January, when the freezing mornings and early nights feel like they’ll never end. When you’re ready to break up the dreariness, these last-minute winter sun holidays to the Canary Islands, Dubai and Morocco will be waiting…
Aqua Mirage Club
4.4
Excellent
Prices from
Hotel Riu Tikida Garden
4.3
Excellent
Prices from
Kenzi Rose Garden
4.4
Excellent
Prices from
The best place to go on a last-minute holiday depends on one thing: you. Short city breaks in top European cities such as Paris and Rome will satisfy your adventure cravings, or you can snap up a cheap sunshine break in Spain, Greece or Turkey.
Last-minute holidays aren’t really about the destination, but the experience. When all you want to do is get on a beach, like, yesterday, take off to the sun-drenched shores of the Algarve, Majorca and Cyprus.
Athena Royal Beach Hotel
4.7
Excellent
Prices from
Basilica Holiday Resort
3.9
Good
Prices from
Dionysos Central
4.4
Excellent
Prices from
Only have a few days to get away? Need to use up your annual leave before Christmas? Last-minute city breaks in Europe are the answer. Touch down in some of the world’s best cities in a couple of hours and get set for cool culture, great food and plenty of sightseeing.
NH Amsterdam Zuid
4.2
Very Good
Prices from
ibis Praha Old Town
4.3
Very Good
Prices from
Citadines Trocadéro Paris
4.3
Very Good
Prices from
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the Canaries are a great bet for some spur-of-the-moment warmth.
Tui Blue Las Pitas
4.3
Very Good
Prices from
Alexandre Hotel Troya
4.3
Excellent
Prices from
Atlantic Hills Hotel & Spa
Prices from
Whether you’re dreaming of lush hotels or waterparks for the kids, a last-minute holiday to Turkey delivers both.
Delphin BE Grand Resort
4.8
Excellent
Prices from
Limak Lara Deluxe Hotel & Resort
4.8
Excellent
Prices from
Nirvana Cosmopolitan
4.4
Excellent
Prices from
Great value resorts, a three-hour flight time and pristine beaches for days? Say hello to up-and-coming Tunisia.
Hôtel El Mouradi Africa 5*
3.9
Good
Prices from
ibis Tunis
4.3
Excellent
Prices from
Novotel Tunis
4.3
Excellent
Prices from
Go to Morocco for the great prices, stay for the endlessly sunny skies, lush resorts and cool, colourful cities.
Hamilton Agadir
3.2
Poor
Prices from
Golden Beach Appart Hôtel
4
Very Good
Prices from
Residence Intouriste Hotel
3.7
Fair
Prices from
The cheapest time to book a last-minute package holiday is generally around three to four weeks before you go, but it can depend on the destination. You’re more likely to score an off-season winter bargain at the last minute than you are during the peak of the summer school holidays.
It depends on how flexible you are. You could book as late as a few days out if you don’t mind where you’re going or where you sit on the plane. But if you have a few non-negotiables, like your hotel or departure time, you may want to book at least four weeks in advance.
Last-minute holidays can be cheaper than booking in advance, but it’s not always the case. Prices will depend on demand and availability – and it goes both ways. Hotel and flight prices can rise as they near capacity, but they can also drop at the last minute as companies try to fill any remaining seats or rooms. A good rule of thumb is to book when you’re comfortable with the price you see.
Yes, you can book all-inclusive deals as late as you like. However, you’ll have to pay for the holiday in full at the time of booking as most pay-monthly plans require at least ten weeks’ lead time.
Booking your last-minute holiday as an ATOL-protected package is a good way to protect your finances should your holiday company collapse. If you pay with a credit card and the holiday costs more than £100, you’ll also be covered by Section 75 of The Consumer Credit Act 1974. Travel insurance is also a good idea – take out a policy as soon as you book your holiday to get the most from your cover.