Expert Advice

A travel enthusiast and On the Beach worker shared the cheapest time to book flights and hotels

People hoping to get the best deal on their summer holiday might need to set an early alarm. A travel influencer claims he knows the ‘cheapest time’ for booking flights and hotels – and it’s bad news if you like to sleep in.

The tip was shared on social media by Rob Brooks, a travel enthusiast and influencer with the travel company On The Beach. He is well-known online for providing budget-friendly travel advice, hotel reviews, and holiday tips, which has helped him amass a significant following on social media, especially on TikTok where he goes by the username @Robonthebeach.

In a recent video, Rob shared ‘three bad holiday booking habits that could be costing you £100s’ and explained how the timing of your holiday booking can affect the price. Introducing the three tips, Rob said: “I look through holiday bookings every single day, and I see these mistakes all the time.”

For his first point, Rob suggested that people shouldn’t book their holidays in the morning unless they get up early. “Your first bad booking habit is booking holidays in the morning,” he claimed.

“We see so many people book holidays between 7am and 10am in the morning. Often, that’s people booking just before work, on the commute, or even at the desk with their first coffee. And I get it, it feels like you’re being really productive and taking off something big right at the beginning of the day.

“But not many people know it’s actually one of the most expensive windows to book, because you’ve got loads of people searching at the same time. Everyone’s had the same idea, which means demand spikes, flight prices spike too, and then package prices follow.”

Rob continued: “The best times to book are statistically in the evening, between 8pm and 10pm. And actually the very cheapest time to book is first thing in the morning, between 4am and 5am. But no one’s setting their alarm for that habit.”

Continuing his video, Rob shared two more mistakes that he said holidaymakers should be wary of. In his second tip, he suggested people shouldn’t wait when they find the right deal for them.

“Don’t forget, when you find a really good deal, it’s very likely that someone else has found the same deal too. So waiting doesn’t protect you; it usually just means that the best price then disappears. So I would say this: when you find a holiday that you think is a really good price and you’ve checked it against other people, don’t wait, just get it booked,” he advised.

Finally, the travel influencer warned people against being ‘super rigid’ with their holiday dates. Rob pointed out that switching your holiday from seven days to six days, for example, could make a big difference to the price.

A flight attendant has revealed the one clothing item you should never ever wear on a plane and instead leave sitting in your suitcase as she claimed it’s ‘unhygienic’

If you’re planning on going abroad for a holiday or any other type of trip, the outfit you choose to wear on the plane might not be the most important thing to try to decide, but it should be. What you decide to wear on a plane can deeply impact your comfort levels as you’re sat in a cramped airplane seat for hours.

While it may seem like a simple thing to decide, it can prove to be more complicated than originally expected. While jeans often feel overly restrictive, opting for shorts and sandals risks leaving you shivering throughout the journey. If you’re currently struggling with this wardrobe decision for an upcoming flight, there are some crucial advice you should take notice of.

Taking to TikTok, one creator named Cher, who boasts over six years’ experience as a flight attendant, has recently shared her expert recommendations to her 24,000 followers. She highlights specific items of clothing that passengers should keep packed away in their luggage rather than being worn on travel days.

“Outfits I surprisingly approve of as a flight attendant,” she said at the start of her video, before she went on to first explain the clothing items to avoid wearing on a flight.

She went on to firmly argue that wearing shorts aboard aircraft should be ‘illegal’, as it exposes your legs to the ‘gross’ seats – having previously disclosed they’re rarely properly sanitised, meaning you never known what might be hiding on there.

Flight attendant’s perfect travel outfit

So what should you wear on a flight? Cher’s recommended outfit comprises loose, comfortable trousers, trainers, a simple T-shirt and a jumper providing shoulder coverage. This combination suits both gentlemen and ladies, allowing you to utilise any suitable items already hanging in your wardrobe.

“This is the perfect travel outfit no matter what,” she declared.

It ensures you appear presentable while remaining comfortable and shielded from the ‘gross’ seats and frequently chilly cabin temperature.

Nevertheless, should this ensemble not appeal to you, alternative options exist. Cher suggests two better alternatives, with the first one being a long maxi dress.

“Any variation of a long dress like this is cute, and your legs are covered, they’re not touching the seat,” she elaborated.

She also explained that wearing a long maxi skirt could be another approved outfit, but saying to also stay away from sandals as she ‘wouldn’t have her toes out’.

“But with trainers, this would be perfect,” she told viewers.

Cher continued to suggest any outfit featuring a matching set with a long skirt and top is an excellent choice for those wanting to appear stylish yet comfortable at the airport. This could also work for men, who could opt for matching sets of trousers and a top.

So there you go – some simple yet chic outfit ideas for your next flight!

Brits with dual-citizenships have been told they could be refused entry back into the UK from February 25, 2026, under new ETA rules if they travel abroad without the correct documents

British passport holders could find themselves barred from re-entering the UK from February 25, 2026, under stringent new travel regulations that require additional documentation for entry into the country.

From later this month, the UK will get stricter with its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for all visitors, including those from the EU, USA, and other visa-exempt countries, meaning they’ll need digital clearance before arrival. The system will apply across all modes of transport – aeroplanes, ferries, and Eurostar services – with strict carrier inspections in place. Whilst the average British citizen won’t be impacted by these measures, dual nationals holding multiple passports could face significant complications.

While residents under the EU Settlement scheme or Leave to Remain arrangements are exempt, as their foreign passports contain evidence of their approved UK residency, those with dual citizenship and multiple passports have been cautioned they may struggle to return back to the UK if they overlook one crucial detail.

With the Government recently announcing tougher enforcement of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and eVisa verification at border control, an immigration solicitor has issued an urgent reminder to British dual nationals to carry out one essential check before jetting off on holiday. A UK immigration lawyer and legal expert has issued an urgent warning to Brits on social media, particularly those holding dual citizenship who could face serious travel disruptions.

Skylar McKeith, who has amassed thousands of followers by demystifying British immigration laws and providing guidance on various scenarios including travel, has raised the alarm about upcoming changes that could see some British citizens refused entry to their own country.

“British citizens could be refused entry to the UK,” she cautioned in her video, before detailing how the new ETA regulations could impact British nationals.

“From the 25th February, the UK will fully enforce its ETA system,” Skylar revealed. “British citizens cannot apply for an ETA, so if you are a dual citizen and you travel on your non-UK foreign passport, you may be refused boarding.”

From 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, and France, who previously didn’t require a visa will be unable to legally enter the UK without obtaining an ETA.

The enforcement of these new rules means that everyone wishing to enter the UK must secure digital permission through either an ETA or an eVisa, with carriers conducting checks before passengers travel.

Whilst this may seem complicated, it simply means that British citizens holding multiple different citizenships need to carefully consider which passport they use when travelling. Skylar went on to to share her essential advice on navigating this situation.

“The solution is simple,” Skylar advised. “Travel on your British passport, or a foreign passport with a certificate of entitlement.”

A Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) is an official endorsement, usually a vignette in a foreign passport, that confirms a person’s right of abode in the UK, granting them unrestricted living and working rights. Those eligible can apply for these documents via the government’s website at a cost of £589.

For those juggling multiple passports, it’s generally suggested to carry all of them while travelling as it provides more options for visa-free entry. It’s also recommended to use your home country’s passport when entering or returning to that country.

Since the introduction of ETA in October 2023, over 13.3 million travellers have successfully applied, enjoying quicker and smoother journeys. ETA has become an essential aspect of travel, including for passengers taking connecting flights and passing through UK passport control.