Are last minute holidays really cheaper?

Suddenly you decide: I want to go on vacation. Not in two months, but now! You see attractive offers: in three days you could be lounging on a beach chair on the Spanish Costa or at a party club in Ibiza. Tempting? Absolutely. But are last-minute holidays always cheaper? Not always. Metro has investigated.

A sunny holiday for a fraction of the original price: it almost sounds too good to be true. Yet, last-minute holidays seem to promise just that. And that's quite appealing, because everything in life is getting more and more expensive. The Dutch are also spending more on holidays . But we don't let that deter us, because about three-quarters of them go on holiday anyway . If you book just in advance, you can save a lot on your holiday. But is that impression justified? Are last-minute deals really cheaper than booking months in advance?

A last-minute holiday is a trip you book within four to six weeks of departure. The idea is that travel companies would rather make a small profit than be left with empty plane seats or hotel rooms. By filling some spots at the last minute, they hope to minimize losses. And you, as a traveler, can benefit from that. Or is it a bit more nuanced?

The term "last minute" is also a marketing tool. Not every offer labeled "last minute" is cheaper than previous prices. Sometimes it's the opposite. And you'll just end up paying more.

In certain situations, a last-minute holiday can be considerably cheaper. Think of traveling outside of peak season, when demand is lower. In May, June, and September, there are often still plenty of accommodations available, and prices are often discounted to fill them up. Even less popular destinations—for example, cities or regions not at the top of the masses' bucket lists—are sometimes sharply discounted in the final weeks before departure.

Flexibility also plays a major role. Those who aren't rigidly tied to specific dates, airports, or hotels simply have more choices available. And therefore a better chance of scoring a great deal.

Last-minute deals certainly aren't always cheaper. During peak season—think school holidays, Christmas, or the construction holiday—popular destinations are often fully booked well in advance. Prices are high then, and because demand is still high, there's little incentive for providers to offer last-minute deals.

Hanita van der Meer of the ANVR travel industry organization said this in an interview with Radar (AVROTROS): "Last-minute deals aren't always cheaper. A price reduction naturally means sacrificing profit margins, and no business owner would want that." Then, upon closer inspection, that so-called deal turns out to be no bargain at all.

The opposite of a spontaneous, last-minute vacation is booking your holiday well in advance. Boring? Perhaps. But for those tied to fixed holiday weeks, such as families with school-age children, booking early is often wiser. Not only for the price, but also because of the availability of popular hotels, child-friendly accommodations, or direct flights.

According to Van der Meer, booking early is generally advantageous. She told Radar : "If you book early, tickets for flights or public transport are generally cheaper." Moreover, many travel agencies offer extra perks for booking early, such as free rebooking, child discounts, or free cancellation. Booking early provides peace of mind and security, which is not the case with a last-minute trip.

Anyone looking for a budget-friendly vacation is wise to actively compare prices. Comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Momondo show how prices are changing. It's also wise to sign up for newsletters from travel providers or set price alerts for specific destinations. This way, you'll be notified immediately when a good deal becomes available.

Don't just consider the basic price of the trip, but also the additional costs. Sometimes a deal seems attractive, until you realize that checked baggage, transfers, and tourist tax still have to be paid separately. Suddenly, that "budget trip" isn't so budget-friendly anymore.

You'd love to make the most of your vacation and come home as relaxed as possible. What's the best way to do that?