Where do you find a cheap holiday deal on the web? Lots of places is the simple answer.
(If you are looking for a last minute flight go to our cheap flights page).
It's going to take some time, and you may need to use the phone to book, but the web is a great place to search and find cheap holiday deals.
You'll get the best cheap holiday deal if you invest some time to shop around. Before you click on the links below take some time to look at the checklist beneath them for things to look out for to ensure that your cheap holiday really is a bargain, not a last minute lemon.
Also don't forget to come back for advice on where to find cheap travel insurance, the cheap airport parking and all your travel needs at bargain prices. Why not add this website to your favourites (click on the 'bookmark us' link above)?
Where do you find cheap holiday deals?
There are lots of places to look. Here we recommend what we consider to be the top 10. To get the best deal, you need to be open minded about your destination and be ready do some leg-work (shop around).
teletextholidays - is a good place to start your search. Even though you have to phone to book most of the holidays, and the offers are no more up to date than the TV version, it's quicker than sitting in front of the TV and it gives you a benchmark against which to judge other offers.
(If you like the TV ads, you can view them online, and change the page at your own speed rather than just before you've taken down the number !)
Next stop in your search for a cheap holiday deal is First Choice. Much improved in the last year, now an excellent site with thousands of package holidays for sale.
Thomson - are also worth a look. A quick search engine and some excellent prices on holidays departing within the next 6 weeks.
Thomas Cook - the last of the big 3 offline travel agents, like the others they use their buying power to get some good deals and 'exclusives'. A good quick search and, depending on the time of year, some great deals.
expedia is a great next stop for your search. The home page is a bit busy, but the site is easy to use and offers a good choice of cheap holiday deals.
OTC - or the Online Travel Company - specialises in last minute travel. Build your own city break or book a last minute holiday.
lastminute - sell cheap holiday deals too and are always worth a try. A bit hit and miss, sometimes you find great late deals on holidays, sometimes you waste 5 minutes of your time.
Opodo - the web site set up by a number of leading European airlines use their buying power to offer cheap holiday deals. A bit up and down, but worth a quick visit
ebookers also have a reasonable cheap holiday deals section and are well worth a look.
Travelcareonline is owned by the Co-op, the UK's largest independent travel agent. They use this 'muscle' to negotiate 'exclusive deals' which can be good and can be average. As the website is mainly focused on last minute holidays it features an excellent selection, but not always at the best prices.
Or, if seemingly endless searching fills you with a sense of horror, go to pack your bags, fill out fill out an online form - the link in the 'design your own' section - and they will find a holiday for you.
Tricks of the trade (or how to make sure a cheap holiday deal isn't a last minute lemon)
We all like a bargain, but some cheap holiday deals are available because no one else wants them. So how do you ensure your cheap holiday deal isn't a last minute lemon?
With flights this is less of a problem - because you know the flight time and the airline before you book. But with a cheap holiday, although you will know the flight times and the destination, you may not know where you will be staying. You may be told the 'standard' of accommodation, but not where it will be. Sometimes you'll get a bargain but sometimes you'll get a lemon.
The best advice is to be on your guard - there might be a reason why the holiday is cheap. Try to find out where you are going to stay and then do some research (see our about your holiday page). The travel agent usually knows where you will stay when they sell you the holiday; if they don't know, or won't tell you, it's best to assume the worst.
Buy an unnamed deal with your eyes open. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst and have a contingency plan. Make sure you get the standard of accommodation in writing, including what this standard means in terms of the facilities provided. And pray a little!
Also, when you compare prices always look at the bottom line. Travel companies often (usually?) advertise an attractive headline price, but then add on other costs such as 'ticket on departure', in flight meals, transfers, travel insurance, etc. etc.
It's easy to get sucked in. Look at the bottom line cost, shop around to get the best late deal.
Finally, make sure you check the terms and conditions before booking and ensure that everything is ABTA or ATOL covered.
Activity Holidays
Activity Holidays - book activity holidays, weekends or short breaks to the Austrian Alps. From skiing and snowboarding to walking, climbing, mountain biking, white water sports, golf and multi activity breaks.
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