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Sometimes you get the urge to pack a bag and swap your day-to-day responsibilities for walking barefoot down a sandy beach. Whether you’ve got annual leave to use up, you’d like to escape the miserable UK weather or wanderlust is tugging at your sleeve, last-minute holidays can be a spontaneous joy.
Last-minute breaks can also offer excellent value. The key to finding the cheapest prices when searching for last-minute holiday deals is to remain flexible, from your destination and the time you fly to the day you depart. You’re likely to find the cheapest last-minute prices outside of peak dates such as school holidays, too.
One of the best ways to find last-minute bargains is to use TravelSupermarket so you can compare holidays from the UK’s top travel companies side-by-side. For peace of mind, all of the package holidays on TravelSupermarket that include a flight come with ATOL protection.
Top European last-minute holiday destinations
If you’d like the ease of a short flight on your spontaneous holiday, plus plenty of offers to choose between, consider looking for a last-minute holiday in Europe. Popular destinations such as Benidorm, Ibiza, Majorca, Tenerife and Croatia are well served by flights and have plenty of places to stay, so last-minute deals are regularly available. Be inspired by some of the best last-minute Europe holiday deals below and use our search tools to compare prices.
Last-minute holiday deals
Prices and availability may change, confirm with the provider before booking. Prices do not include local tourist taxes.
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya
8.6
Very Good
- 15 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Lara Barut Collection
9.7
Excellent
- 12 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
H10 Las Palmeras
8.9
Excellent
- 5 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Half board
- From Manchester
Prices from
Adalya Elite Lara
9.6
Excellent
- 15 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Manchester
Prices from
Cheap last-minute holidays under £250pp
Prices and availability may change, confirm with the provider before booking. Prices do not include local tourist taxes.
Coral Teide Mar
8.1
Very Good
- 25 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Self-catering
- From Birmingham
Prices from
Agios Gerasimos Studios
- 5 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Self-catering
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Teneguia
7.6
Good
- 25 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Self-catering
- From Birmingham
Prices from
Very last-minute beach holidays in Europe leaving within 72h
Prices and availability may change, confirm with the provider before booking. Prices do not include local tourist taxes.
Bellevue Club
7.8
Good
- 20 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Manchester
Prices from
Cavomarina Beach Hotel
- 20 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Self-catering
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Globales Costa de la Calma
8.7
Excellent
- 20 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
Popular last-minute city break destinations
On a city break, you can fill a fun weekend or longer with thought-provoking sights, innovative restaurants and lively nightlife. And it’s possible to find excellent value last-minute city break deals, especially in European hotspots such as Paris, Amsterdam and Rome, thanks to frequent flights from the UK and plentiful hotels. Here’s a selection of the most tempting last-minute city break offers.
Last-minute long-haul holiday deals
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
- 18 Jul 2026
- 14 nights
- Room only
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort
- 17 Jul 2026
- 14 nights
- Full board
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda
- 23 Jun 2026
- 14 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando
- 18 Jul 2026
- 14 nights
- Room only
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Floridays Resort Orlando
- 18 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Self-catering
- From Heathrow
Prices from
Bahia Principe Grand Tulum
- 30 Jun 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort
- 13 Jul 2026
- 7 nights
- Room only
- From Stansted
Prices from
Grand Palladium Select Bávaro
- 23 Jun 2026
- 14 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Prices and availability may change, confirm with the provider before booking. Prices do not include local tourist taxes.
The key to finding the best last-minute deals can be timing. If you’re savvy, you could find a deal in a destination just coming out of its peak season, whether you’re after late summer deals once the schools have gone back in September or are willing to travel in January for winter sun late deals. If you’re visiting a destination to sightsee rather than sunbathe, visiting when the weather is temperamental could result in huge savings.
In the table below, we’ve rounded up some of the best sweet spots for visiting top short-haul and long-haul destinations for less.
Where to go when for savings
| Season | Short-haul pick | Long-haul pick | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March - May) | Cyprus (Warmest Med spot) | Florida (Pre-summer humidity | Best balance of heat and price. |
| Summer (Jun - Aug) | Turkey (Guaranteed heat) | Mexico (Caribbean value) | Huge inventory levels = more deals. |
| Autumn (Sep - Nov) | Canary Islands (Year-round sun) | Dubai (Heat returns) | Shoulder season pricing peaks here. |
| Winter (Dec - Feb) | Spain (Costas) (Mild & cheap) | Thailand (Dry Season) | Escape the UK freeze. |
Before you rush to book a last-minute bargain, it’s worth checking how the weather is likely to behave while you’re away. If you’re set to travel in the next couple of weeks, look at the 14-day forecast on your favourite weather app. If your trip is further away, use a site such as weather2travel to see seasonal weather trends.
Then decide whether the predicted weather is ideal for you. Some destinations may be too hot for families in July and August, while sunseekers may be disappointed outside of the hottest periods.
If you’re travelling in a shoulder season, such as spring or autumn, when the weather may be less reliable, it’s worth packing layers so you’re comfortable temperature-wise from morning to evening.
Last-minute holidays from your local airport
You don’t have to live in London to find a cheap late deal. To help you find a last-minute deal from your local airport, we compare holidays with departures from all of the major regional airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, Newcastle and Liverpool. Use our filters below to make your travel a breeze.
Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at TravelSupermarket, advises remaining flexible on your destination to chase the best value. He says:
“When looking for a last-minute deal, try not to narrow down your destination choice too early in your search so you can see where is offering good value when you’d like to travel. Whether you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine or a city break, being open-minded about where you go is likely to result in lower prices and an exciting trip.”
Cathy Toogood, a travel journalist, says:
“To find the lowest prices, consider travelling when other people don’t want to. Look at holidays with flights that depart mid-week, first thing in the morning or last thing at night and you might be rewarded with savings.”
Olly Green, content editor at TravelSupermarket advises:
"It's always worth checking flights from a few different airports near you. Depending on your destination, departing from a smaller regional airport, or even driving a little further to a larger airport, can make a big difference to the cost of your holiday. Just make sure the savings are worth the extra travel.”
Frequently asked questions about last-minute holidays
FAQs
Is it cheaper to book last-minute holidays or to book in advance?
Whether it’s cheaper to book at the last-minute or in advance depends on when you’re travelling and who you’re travelling with. If you’re flexible with dates and destinations, waiting until the last-minute may result in bargains. If you have set dates and would like to stay in a certain room type or resort, booking early is more sensible.
How flexible do I need to be with dates and airports when booking a last-minute holiday?
When booking last-minute holidays, the more flexible you are, the more deals you’ll find. It’s often cheaper to travel mid-week or at anti-social times so keep your dates open for lower prices. Also compare deals from a range of nearby airports to see where is offering the best value – but factor in the price of getting to the airport, too.
What travel documents are needed for last-minute trips to Europe?
If you have a full British passport, travelling to Europe at the last minute is straightforward. Your passport needs to have been issued less than ten years before the date you arrive with an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave. You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You should also take a valid GHIC card and make sure you have travel insurance. Check the up-to-date entry requirements for your destination on the FCDO’s website.
Can I buy last-minute travel insurance for immediate departure?
Many of the companies on TravelSupermarket who sell travel insurance will allow you to buy a policy right up to the day you leave home to travel. However, the most sensible time to take out a travel insurance policy is the day you book a holiday so that you’re covered should anything unexpected force you to cancel your trip.
Are last-minute holidays ATOL protected?
If you book a last-minute package holiday that includes a flight it will have ATOL protection. All of the travel companies on TravelSupermarket selling package holidays must provide financial protection either through ATOL, ABTA or the Travel Trust Association. If you don’t book a package holiday and buy the elements of your holiday separately, you won’t have ATOL protection.
How many weeks before departure is a holiday considered "last minute"?
While there is no set definition, a last-minute holiday is generally considered to be one booked within ten weeks of the day you’d like to depart. However, last-minute deals are available right up to the day you’d like to travel.
What is the best day of the week to book a last-minute travel deal?
Generally, you’ll find cheaper deals if you book a last-minute holiday that departs mid-week rather than over the weekend. However, the key to finding a tempting last-minute travel deal is remaining flexible and comparing the price of a trip over a range of days.
Can I book a last-minute holiday departing today or tomorrow?
On TravelSupermarket, you can book last-minute holidays right up until the day before you’d like to travel. However, if you have a destination or hotel that you’d like to go to, you may want to book further in advance for the best choice.
Are all-inclusive last-minute deals better value than self-catering?
Whether an all-inclusive or self-catering last-minute deal is better value will depend on the prices of each deal, how you enjoy travelling and your destination. If you like to eat out, self-catering may be better value so you don’t pay twice for food. But it’s trickier to self-cater in some destinations so all-inclusive might win overall as a hassle-free fly-and-flop break.
What are the best short-haul destinations for a three-day last-minute break?
Cities in Europe – such as Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona – are perfect for a last-minute three-day break thanks to short flight times and the variety of attractions on offer. If you’re a sunseeker, you could also head to a fun-filled Spanish resort to relax poolside for a long weekend after less than a three-hour flight.
Are there last-minute holiday deals specifically for solo travellers?
Yes, there are last-minute holiday deals available for solo travellers to snap up. Solo holidays offer a whole extra level of spontaneity and freedom as you can decide where you’d like to go and what you’d like to do without any consultation or compromises.
Travel tips and advice
6 min read
Last-minute family holidays for less than £350pp
Last-minute summer holidays for familiesPublished 5 July 2018
