Since the pandemic, the cost of travel has shot up—steeply. What used to be a cheeky £400 escape is now pushing £700 or more, and that’s if you’re lucky. Between pent-up demand, inflation, fuel costs and general travel chaos, grabbing a cheap holiday or cruise now takes a bit more savvy – and a bit more patience.
But there are ways to beat the system, or at least tilt the odds in your favour.
For Sunshine Getaways
I tend to fly with Jet2. Why? Their longer-haul flights, like those to the Canaries, are simply more comfortable. They still offer a relatively premium feel without crossing into the ludicrous pricing you’ll find elsewhere.
Here are a few tips I swear by:
- Book when others are distracted: Prices often drop during the school holidays – not at the start, but midway through, when fewer people are searching. That’s often when I strike to bag a cheap holiday.
- Use the seat map trick: Always go as far as the seat booking section during checkout. It’s not a flawless method, but if the plane is still mostly empty, there’s a decent chance prices might hold – or drop.
- Jet2 vouchers: If you fly with them, don’t bin the discount voucher they give you on your return flight. These can often be used in addition to other seasonal offers. It’s one of the few genuinely useful loyalty perks left.
For Cruises
Cruising is a different beast. Pricing can change faster than the tide, and knowing where to look is half the battle.
- I use the My Kind of Cruise app to track fares and offers. It’s one of the few platforms that makes comparison easy without the hard sell.
- Don’t forget about price matching. Many cruise lines will match a lower fare, even if you booked direct.
- That said, don’t alienate the brokers. They’re often the only ones pushing back on cruise line pricing, and they offer value in perks, upgrades, and insight. Yes, play them off against the cruise lines—but with some foresight. If they vanish, we’ll all be paying rack rate forevermore.
Bonus Tip: When to Book for Maximum Savings
Timing really is everything when it comes to scoring cheap holidays. While deals can pop up year-round, there are a few windows that consistently deliver better prices – if you know when to look.
- Book in January for summer travel – It’s known as “Sunshine Saturday” season for a reason. Airlines and tour operators often release their biggest discounts in early January, targeting those of us dreaming of a mid-year escape.
- Mid-week magic – Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to book flights. Fewer people search mid-week, which can nudge prices down just enough to make a difference, especially if you’re flexible.
- Don’t wait too long for school holiday deals – If you’re tied to peak dates, don’t expect last-minute bargains. But you can still find value – especially with free child places, early booking incentives, or loyalty discounts that stack nicely.
- Use alerts, not luck – Set fare alerts on apps like Hopper, Kayak, or Skyscanner to track price drops. They’ll do the watching while you get on with your life.
Cheap holidays aren’t about luck—they’re about knowing when and where to strike. Add that little bit of planning, and you can still travel smart, even when prices are climbing.
Looking Ahead
I’ll be doing deep-dives into cruise ship reviews, destination guides, and how to hack upgrades without paying through the nose. Expect photos, itineraries, and some blunt honesty.
Have something you’d like me to cover? Drop me a message or leave a comment – I’m all ears.