MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares some tips for finding a great deal on a last-minute getaway
If you fancy going on holiday this Christmas, there are loads of options to choose from.
It can be a great way to get away from the stress of obligations in the festive period – no extended family dinners or forced Christmas jumper-wearing fun. If you’ve not been away in a while, it’s also a gift to yourself: a break from the day-to-day, at the most joy-filled time of year. Packages are the best way to take a cheap Christmas holiday without losing out on amenities or fun. Here’s how to find a great deal for your last-minute vacation.
Book as late as you dare
This is easier for single travellers and couples, but if you have the guts, set aside your travel dates and then wait. And wait. And finally, book your holiday at the last minute a day or two before you travel. It’s risky – but often means snagging fantastic deals in fancy hotels that simply need to fill their rooms over the holiday season.
Use websites like LastMinute, Expedia, and Booking.com to keep an eye on packages with last-minute offerings. Be packed and ready, pick your desired destination, and then go on an adventure at short notice! There can be something very liberating about not having loads of time to make plans ahead of the holiday, so embrace the spontaneity. Just make sure your passport is in date!
Consider rail travel
While rail tickets are extortionate in the UK, when you head abroad they are surprisingly affordable. When looking to get away for Christmas, take a look at destinations you can reach by rail. You could even fly into a cheaper airport and take the train to other areas – saving money and seeing more of a new country at the same time. Rail travel can also be a great way to save on accommodation, if you take sleeper trains.
Look for secret upgrades
You can save money on secret upgrades to get luxury for less. For example, if you’re taking the train in the UK this Christmas, use the Seatfrog app. This lets you bid on first class seats – meaning you could get an upgrade for far less than the going price.
You can also often find deals on first class lounge passes for airports – which can save your costs overall if you’re planning to eat at the airport. Check your bank account and credit card for rewards, as these often go unclaimed and can make a big difference to your trip!
Sign up for newsletters too: discount holiday sites, airlines, and discount club emails will all help tip you off and find some excellent last-minute discounts or free upgrades.
Pack light
Wear your heaviest clothes and travel with hand luggage only. Leave the Christmas gifts at home for when you return! Travelling with hand luggage only might sound like a challenge but is easy to do on a week-long trip if you’re savvy. Create a capsule wardrobe: jeans, smart trousers, five tops, five pants, a jumper. You can wash underwear, tops, and socks mid-week to get an extra wear out of them.
Standby for solo travellers
If Christmas isn’t your thing and you don’t have a friend or partner to go away with, you’re actually in the best position possible to have a wonderfully luxurious festive break for less! Solo travellers can make the most of single seat and single room last-minute discounts.
If you’re happy to be flexible, and want to take a bit of a healthy risk, go to the airport early and put yourself on the standby list. Pack light: hand baggage only makes it much easier to blag a standby flight. You need to have a ticket for a later flight, but then can be transferred to another earlier or later flight for far less. Check your ticket restrictions – such as if your original would be refundable – before doing this.
Standby isn’t suited to people on a tight timeline or who have already made plans in their destination country. But they can be a perfect way for adventurous solo travellers to fly somewhere on a whim!
Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of MoneyMagpie.com. However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
