As the first full working week of 2025 comes to an end, families are likely looking ahead to their holiday plans for the year, especially with the gloomy British weather making people dream of sunny locations.
This coming Saturday is known in the travel industry as ‘Sunshine Saturday’, the first day off after a full week back at work following the New Year, marking the busiest time of the year for booking overseas holidays.
With both ‘Sunshine Saturday’ and the ongoing January sales, there is certainly a chance of finding some great deals for any upcoming getaways.
But one travel expert has suggested looking even further ahead than this year’s holidays in order to get the best deals.
Sharing some top tips, Rebecca Bebbington, consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes, suggests booking your 2026 holiday ASAP to ensure you get the very best deals.
She said: “2026 might seem a lifetime away, but trust us when we say – booking in advance comes with some exciting benefits! Many travel companies these days open bookings for flights & packages up to 18 months in advance, giving you access to the best prices and availability.
“As well as lower prices, when you book early, you can secure your holidays with lower deposits, and enjoy longer repayment terms.
“Plus, airlines and hotels often offer their best prices when bookings open. The longer you wait and availability decreases – prices go up!”
With this in mind, Rebecca also recommends opting for package or bundle holidays, as these are often much more cost effective than booking travel and hotels separately.
She said: “Travel retailers like easyJet Holidays and TUI offer competitive rates for bundled deals and even include extras like child places, luggage and transfers.
“We always recommend looking for packages that include these additional benefits as, on their own, they can add a couple of hundred pounds onto your booking total.
“All-inclusive packages also offer great value for money especially when booking for a family at a popular resort.”
Rebecca’s top tips for an affordable holiday
- Book early and even consider booking your 2026 holiday now.
- Take advantage of seasonal sales.
- Book domestic flights 1-2 months in advance, 4-6 months for international ones, and 12 months ahead if travelling in peak seasons.
- Travel off-peak for bigger savings.
- Use discount codes.
- Bundle flights and hotels for a better deal.
- Be flexible with dates and airports.