Haven’t booked your holiday yet? If you’re hoping to find a last minute holiday deal but aren’t sure where to start, these tips will sort you out!
Here are 5 ways to find a last minute holiday without overpaying.
This article may include mentions of products from one or more of our affiliate partners. Unless explicitly stated, we are not being paid to include these. To learn more about our advertising policy, please refer to our Terms of Service.
Worth knowing before you start looking
Before you start searching, it helps to know the three main ways you may go about booking your last minute holiday:
- DIY – booking your flights and accommodation separately
- OTA – booking a package holiday through a third party OTA (online travel agent) e,g. loveholidays, On The Beach and lastminute.com
- Tour Operator – booking a package holiday directly with the tour operator e.g. TUI, Jet2Holidays and easyJet holidays
1. Be As Flexible As Possible
If you want a genuine last minute deal, flexibility is non negotiable. You can’t afford to be too fussy about dates or destinations — and honestly, that’s part of the fun. Use it as an excuse to shake things up and try somewhere new.
Look out for flexible-date search tools, and try searching for “any destination” rather than being too specific with your dates or where you want to go.
2. Use Last Minute Deal Pages
It can be hard to know where to begin when you’re after a last minute trip, so let’s begin with finding some inspiration. This will, in the very least, give you an idea of where you could go and at what price.
Most of the big tour operators have a page specifically for last minute deals. Search Google for “[tour operator name] last minute deals,” or start with a few of the big names:
These pages show the best last minute deals, usually for trips in the next couple of weeks.
Online travel agents like loveholidays and On The Beach also compile their own lists, as well as comparison sites like TravelSupermarket – and you can find a full list of the best last minute pages in the article below.
Leaving in the next 5 days?
We realised that if you’re after a really last minute holiday, there isn’t a tool that helps you find that easily – so we decided to pull it together ourselves!
So if you’re keen to getaway in the next few ways, give it a go but don’t forget to use the filters to bring up the best results. And always click through as sadly the prices on last minute deals can change quickly!
Are you keen to get away soon!? Like very soon, here are some package holidays that leave within the next 5 days!
3. Don't Stick With the First Price You See
Package deals can be great, but they sometimes bundle in extras you might not need, like luggage and transfers, which can inflate the price. Before you commit, compare across a few different sites:
It’s also worth comparing the total package price against booking your flight and hotel separately. However, bear in mind that booking them separately may mean you don’t have the same financial protection that can apply when booking a package.
For checking you’ve got the best hotel deal, you can use the booking checklist I pulled together that walks you through how to get the best price!
4. Skip the Classic Resorts
Popular destinations get booked up fast so why not try somewhere underrated where you can bag a deal.
It could be a less known resort town, or perhaps not a resort town at all!
Plus, if you’re desperate to stay in a 5 star hotel in the peak months, this is often the only way you’re going to find it at an affordable price.
Alternative resorts
These aren’t necessarily hidden gems or places you’ve never heard of, they’re simply less popular with UK holidaymakers than the big-name resorts.
Costa Dorada, Spain – okay fine, this is actually a traditional resorts but this area is less popular than some of the other Costas, and its high availability of flights and accommodation can mean last minute bargains.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria – a popular spot in Bulgaria, but with fewer UK travellers than some of the better-known Mediterranean resorts. You could also try lesser-known resorts such as Nessebar.
Marrakech, Morocco – a good option if you’re not set on a traditional beach resort.
Hammamet, Tunisia – a long-established beach destination with a good selection of all-inclusive hotels, but one that doesn’t tend to be the first choice for British holidaymakers.
Malta – a well-connected destination with lots of flights from the UK, but often overlooked in favour of more traditional beach destinations.
Alternative non resorts
Extended city breaks can be fantastic for a last minute holiday and there’s something really nice about having plenty of time to properly explore.
I love Poland in the summer and places like Wrocław even create their own ‘beach clubs’ on the river if you are desperate for that summer vibe!
These were the prices I found for a last minute trip there in Summer 2026.
All prices are based on 2 adults sharing.
7 nights in Wrocław, Poland
London Stansted to Wrocław: £91 return
Ibis Budget (1 Star): £35 per night
Total = £213.50 each
The Bridge (5 Star): £96 a night
Total = £427 each
Overall, my best advice is to be open to destinations. Start your search by looking for deals but use them as inspiration to see what you could find for even less.
5. Haggle on Airbnb
My final tip is if you’re open to staying a holiday let. This one has saved me a fair bit of money over the years!
Many people don’t realise that you can haggle on Airbnb and in fact, the website even allows owners to send potential occupants an ‘offer’.
Now, I don’t recommend doing this all the time and I certainly don’t recommend throwing in a ridiculous lowball offer. However, I do think this works particularly well when you are booking last minute and a hosts home would otherwise go totally empty.
It’s a way of saying ‘help me out to help you out!’
They key is to be super polite and don’t expect a discount. I’ve written a template below to help you out if you need a place to start.
Jet Off For Less With These 5 Ways To Find a Last Minute Holiday
Finding a last minute holiday really comes down to flexibility and carefully sizing up your options so you get the cheapest price.
Start with deal pages for inspiration, take time to compare prices properly and don’t be afraid to try somewhere different. Enjoy your holidays!
