It’s never too early to book winter holiday

Booking now vs booking late: The great holiday dilemma

As the last traces of summer fade into autumn, many Brits will be heading back to work after a well-earned holiday. Chances are the last thing on your mind is next year’s big break, but looking to book early could see you save in the long run.

It all boils down to the great holiday dilemma: will I save by booking early or are their better deals available at the last minute?

Here we place both arguments head-to-head to help find the best option for you.

Round one: Your situation

If you have a family with school-aged children, work in a job with restricted holiday periods or have a set idea on the type of holiday you want to go on, booking as soon as possible will be your best solution.

Getting in early means you get the pick of the holiday crop and will be able to snare the holiday you want before everyone else piles in and snaps up those valuable seats on the plane. This is especially important for departures during the busy school holiday periods.

However, if you’re just after a week away in the sun as a pick-me-up or are happy to be inspired by available deals, booking late and waiting for a bargain might suit you better.

Round two: Your flexibility

If you have to travel at a certain time or have a specific room or hotel requirement, booking now will mean you won’t have to compromise on your day of departure, or any other element of your break – as being one of the first bookers of the year means you’ll get the best choice of hotel or hotel room type, destinations and holiday length.

If, on the other hand, you are truly flexible in terms of where and when you can travel then leaving it late and playing ‘holiday roulette’ can pay off with some excellent late deals. You won’t find many last-minute bargains in peak dates, though, so be aware that choice will be limited and last-minute prices can actually rise, not fall – even for package holidays.

Note too that any holiday involving a low-cost or scheduled flight is highly unlikely to ever get cheaper except on an off-peak date to a destination that is not currently popular. Prices for these trips only ever go upwards in our experience.

Round three: Do you have nerves of steel?

If you have nerves of steel, a cast-iron constitution and enjoy the challenge of finding a last-minute deal, booking late will suit you. During the winter months you can often find some fantastic last-minute deals, especially if you avoid the school holidays, so a cheeky break in the sun can be a bargain.

But, with so much vested in holidays, whether they are your main break or a quick weekend away, it’s usually wiser to get booking now and avoid the heartache and hassle of not finding the right holiday for you when you want it. Getting sorted in advance means you’ll have time to compare all the deals online, in shops and on the phone to ensure you get the best deal for you.

And what’s better than having something to look forward to through the long winter months?