Booking a trip abroad isn’t always cheap, but there are three savvy ways that could help you save up to £1,000 off your next holiday – and it’s just by making a few simple changes
First Choice, part of the TUI Group, has outlined some simple saving hacks(Image: Getty Images)
Amid the gloomy British weather and sights set on the year ahead, many of us are turning our attention to booking our 2026 getaway. Happily, there are some savvy saving hacks worth noting that could help you save £1,000s on your next holiday, and it’s just by making three small changes.
Once transport, accommodation and spending money are taking into account, things add up. Luckily for us, TUI has outlined some vital saving hacks that help us save extra cash, whether that’s a European city break or a sun-soaked beach getaway.
To reveal the cheapest ways to book a holiday, First Choice, part of the TUI Group, analysed two years of booking data. From this, they discovered that making a booking with slightly unconventional travel details, as they called it ‘Wonky holidays’, makes a holiday considerably cheaper.
One of the major changes was to adjust the number of nights when staying abroad. Instead of defaulting to a 7 or 14-night stay, they recommend booking a 6, 8, 13 or 15-night stay.
First Choice found that travellers booking an odd-length stay, such as 5 or 11 nights, paid up to 13 per cent less per night than those choosing a standard duration. They also found that flying on a Tuesday or Thursday, rather than a Saturday, saved holidaymakers around £70 per person.
The travel group also suggests flying from the cheapest airport available, rather than the closest one. While it’s easier to head to our nearest airport, First Choice found that swapping departure or arrival airports revealed major savings, and in some cases more than £1,000 per passenger.
The findings, compiled in partnership with money-saving expert Jordan Cox, revealed that making these small, unconventional adjustments, such as staying an odd number of nights, flying midweek, or choosing an alternative airport, can help travellers save up to £1,100 per person.
For example, First Choice found that a 7-night stay at the four-star Constantinou Athena Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, with return flights from London Heathrow on Saturday, 25 July 2026, would cost someone £1,500 per person. However, swapping the flights to London Luton and departing a week before on Tuesday, 14 July, would get the exact same holiday for just £947 – a saving of £553 per person.
They also added that booking a getaway during the quieter months, like January, March, early April, or mid-September, was typically 16 per cent cheaper than peak summer travel. In addition, when booking off-peak times, First Choice said travellers can take advantage of extra deals that are typically available.
Money-saving expert, Jordan, said: “People work hard all year for their holiday, but too often they end up paying a premium simply by following the crowd. The First Choice research shows that being flexible, whether that’s travelling midweek, choosing a different airport, or avoiding the standard seven- or 14-night stay, can unlock significant savings, sometimes even enough to take two trips for the price of one.
“Even small differences in price add up, especially for families, and that extra money can make a real difference once you’re away. A little research and a willingness to embrace slightly ‘wonky’ choices can go a long way.”
Kevin Nelson, the managing director of First Choice, said: “People want incredible holidays, and confidence they’re getting great value. That’s why we created Wonky Holidays: to make it easier to find flexible trips that deliver better value without compromising on experience.”
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