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Last-minute travel: Key information

In the following sections, you'll find key information about last-minute family holidays, including the benefits of booking a late deal and the ideal time to search for holiday packages:

Benefits of last-minute family holidays

The main benefit of booking a last-minute trip is the reduced costs. Hotels, flights, package deals and tours are often available at a lower price in order to move unsold inventory. If you search around for last-minute deals, you may be able to book some of the best family holidays at much lower rates than you'd normally pay.

It's often recommended to book in advance if you want to travel during peak seasons. However, you can actually find great deals on last-minute summer holidays or trips at any other time of the year.

When to look for last-minute holiday deals

You can find last-minute family holidays at most times of the year, but your options are going to be greater outside of the peak travel season. Lower demand usually leads to cheaper prices. This means that rather than trying to travel in June, July or August, you might be better off exploring other times in the travel calendar.

It's generally recommended to look for last-minute family holidays from UK airports around two or three weeks before your preferred departure date. This will be late enough for hotels and airlines to offer cheap deals, but it will still give you enough time to prepare for travel, buy important travel items and acquire travel insurance.

Last-minute family holidays to Portugal

A last-minute trip to Portugal could be a great way to make memories with your family, with the relatively short flight distance and excellent weather providing clear benefits over many other global destinations. Looking for an adventure holiday with the kids? Want to relax by the pool? How about visiting a water park? Portugal will have you covered, no matter your preferences.

In the south of Portugal, the Algarve is famous for its beautiful beaches, golf courses and all-inclusive hotels. An interesting alternative may be a trip to Flores Island, where you'll find spectacular natural landscapes. If city breaks are more your speed, you'll have no shortage of things to do if you visit Lisbon or Porto. 

FAQs on last-minute family holidays

Q: Are last-minute holiday deals cheaper?

A: Yes, last-minute holiday deals are usually cheaper than booking a holiday in advance. This is because airlines, hotels and tour operators all use these deals to get rid of unsold inventory. By reducing the price, they are able to increase demand and avoid situations where hotel rooms, airplane seats or tour spaces go unsold.

Q: Do travel agents still do last-minute deals?

A: Yes, travel agents will often provide last-minute holiday deals to try to sell inventory they've been unable to shift. The strategy is often to reduce the prices of hotels, flights or packages in order to increase demand and avoid situations where the inventory remains unsold. This can result in some excellent last-minute travel options.