A young woman enjoys her holiday by the sea. (Image: Getty)
British holidaymakers are hunting for value more than ever – but let’s be honest, it’s a bit overwhelming. The pressure to find the perfect week away, at the perfect time, from the perfect airport is enough to make you need a holiday from booking your holiday. But the data tells a different story: perfection isn’t where the value is.
Travellers struggling with rising holiday costs could slash their travel bills by hundreds – simply by avoiding common booking habits. New analysis of two years’ booking data by tour operator First Choice has revealed that there are three common booking habits most people follow that are costing them hundreds of pounds that could be saved by thinking outside the box.
The findings are published in First Choice’s newly released Wonky Holidays Savings Report created in partnership with money-saving expert Jordan Cox, which shows travellers can save up to £1,000 per person by making small, unconventional changes. Despite this, the data shows that around 70% of UK holidaymakers still book rigid, traditional trips, even though more flexible alternatives are often far cheaper.
Flying over weekends, travelling via your closest airport and booking neat seven or 14-night stays is quietly driving prices up.
First Choice has crunched the numbers to prove that embracing unconventional choices – the ones most travellers overlook – can unlock bigger holiday savings. Their report highlights simple, practical ways to tailor your holiday and get more for your money. Alongside the data, consumer savings expert Jordon Cox helps bring the findings to life, sharing clear, practical tips travellers can try.
Firstly, odd trip lengths are the first thing to consider. ‘Wonky’ durations like 3, 5, or 11 nights often deliver a lower price per night than the standard week or fortnight.
Cox says: “Why is a ‘week away’ the standard? Who decided that? And when it comes to longer trips, why do we rarely consider anything but a fortnight? The travel industry loves to steer us toward thinking in 7 and 14-night blocks, but our data reveals untapped savings if you embrace ‘wonky’ durations. The real value sits in slightly shorter or longer trips that most people overlook. The takeaway is simple: flexing your dates by just one or two nights can cut the cost per night by double digits.
“This is why following the crowd can cost you! When most people book the same durations, demand rises, and so do prices. When booking a holiday, always check different and odd trip lengths. A small change in dates could unlock a much better deal.”
This lucky couple have their Greek beach to themselves travelling off-peak. (Image: Getty)
Secondly, cheating on your local airport can pay off. Swapping airports within the same region can unlock significant savings – sometimes up to 85% per passenger.
Coz says: “The power of selecting between multiple airports can make a huge difference. You might think £50 or £100 off a flight each isn’t much, but it can sure add up. That’d be a few cocktails each by the pool! I’m lucky to be within a 2-hour drive of London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Southampton and Bournemouth airports, so I’ll always check them all to make sure I’m getting the cheapest price. Just remember to take into account any extra charges, such as airport parking, hotels, and fuel when travelling to a different airport.”
Thirdly, timing is everything. Demand drives price, not distance. Small changes in timing can make a big savings difference. Flying at the same time as everyone else is a rookie mistake according to Cox.
He says: “Shoulder Season Winners April and September aren’t just ‘off-peak’ – they’re the sweet spots. Travel in these periods is typically £40-£65 cheaper per person than July, with specific ‘golden window’ weeks where prices dip even further.”
Unpopular days are cheaper, typically £40-65 cheaper. If you’re flexible, a little picky, and happy to mix and match, you can build a better holiday for less.
Cox added: “It might be convenient to travel on a Friday or Saturday, but gosh, can it cost you. If cheap flights are on a Tuesday or Thursday, make those your first picks! Yes, holiday prices fluctuate – but if you’re able to, use that to your advantage! If switching your holiday by a day or two can save you £100s, why wouldn’t you? Not only that… it might not be as busy travelling mid-week, so you can save money and also avoid the crowds!”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
