The expert says that this type of holiday is the best value for money

Travel experts have shared some of their best tips and tricks for getting a great deal this summer. And with July almost upon us, so are the summer school holidays. This usually means that holiday prices, including airfare, hotels and packages will increase as demand increases.

People are now looking to make their money go further and score the best deals more than ever. Research from BVA BDRC Cost of living disclosure affects how approximately 70% of families and 67% of younger adults choose to travel.

So to help holidaymakers get their money’s worth, travel company loveholidays has lent a helping hand when it comes to knowing what to look for on their next holiday. Ellen Southall-Garrad, head of product strategy at loveholidays, shares her tips and hacks, including the best baseboard, the cheapest weeks to book and how to make the most of drop-ins.

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Opt for all-inclusive

All-inclusive deals and packages are a good way to keep control of your vacation expenses. With unlimited snacks, meals and drinks included in the initial cost, there’s nothing left to worry about when you’re away.

Alternatively, consider booking half-board, which includes meals for breakfast and dinner, but gives you the flexibility to venture out and explore the local cuisine if you like. Try to think ahead of time about other expenses you may incur while you’re away, such as dining out, exploring local attractions, souvenirs, and transportation.

The cheapest times to go on a last minute summer holiday

Contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to find good summer deals even at the last minute, according to experts. It will take some research, but jetsetters who have a little more flexibility with their time should look for quieter periods and less obvious destinations if they hope to find a diamond in the rough deal.

Loveholidays data showed that September is currently the cheapest month to book, costing an average of £658 per person for a seven-night trip (£94 per person per night). The first week of October is the cheapest week during the summer, costing an average of £532 per person (£76 per person per night) for a seven-night holiday.

For those tied to school calendars, the company’s data showed that late August is the cheapest time to travel during the school holidays. This period is often cheaper as it marks the end of the school holiday period for some countries.

Loveholidays data showed that a seven-night holiday in the last week of August can be up to eight per cent cheaper than at the end of July, on average.

Try the “any destination” approach.

Exploring your adventurous side, being open and receptive to different destinations can help you save money. The search function of loveholidays allows holidaymakers to search for holidays in any location according to their budget requirements.

By keeping an open mind about travel and vacations, this relaxed approach can help people discover deals they might otherwise miss. Loveholidays data revealed Castellon and Blanes in Spain and Ipsos in Corfu, Greece as the cheapest short-haul beach destinations for summer 2024, with a seven-night trip costing £294, £301 and £329 on average per person, respectively.

Destinations such as Toulouse, France and Sofia, Bulgaria have been revealed as the cheapest city breaks this summer, costing an average of £168 per person and £210 per person respectively. However, if you want to go a little further, Orlando, USA (£700 per person on average) and Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic (£714 per person on average) are the cheapest long-haul destinations during the summer period .

Book at the right time for the best prices

Airline ticket prices depend on a number of factors, which means that if you book in advance, the cheaper the ticket will be when you book in advance, as prices tend to rise as seats fill up. The loveholidays experts explained that the trick to getting really cheap summer flights is to keep an eye out for when airlines launch their next flight schedule.

Most airlines tend to set their schedule for the following summer in January and the following winter in September. MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis even considers the likes of easyjet.

Accommodation availability is released even further in advance, with some hotels already releasing room rates up to 2026. This way, you can browse through all the options to find the most wallet-friendly ones.

Understandably, it can be easy to put off booking or want to fly as soon as schools are out, but ultimately patience and planning are the most important things to consider. Booking in advance or waiting until later in the school holidays gives travelers the best chance at advance fares and allows them to take advantage of longer payment plans, which means smaller, more manageable payments.

The best last minute summer 2024 deals from loveholidays

• Toulouse, France from £135 pp (July) – Book a four-star, seven-night getaway to Toulouse, France, departing in July, from £125pp
• Blanes, Spain from £249 pp (September) – Book a three-star, seven-night stay in Blanes, Spain, departing mid-September, from £255pp. (4* TripAdvisor rating)
• Ipsos, Crete, Greek Islands from £309pp. (August) – Book a three-star, seven-night stay in Ipsos, Crete, departing late August from £279pp. (4.5* TripAdvisor rating)
• Orlando, Florida, USA from £725 pp (July) – Book a four-star, seven-night holiday to Orlando, Florida in July from £725pp (TripAdvisor rating 4*)