first choice

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

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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First Choice has launched holiday deals for 2026 including savings of up to £500 on trips to destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us are already dreaming about our summer escape for the upcoming year – and luckily, travel companies are starting to roll out some tempting deals.

First Choice has discovered that nearly half (48%) of holidaymakers this year are keen to cut their travel expenses compared to previous years. Coupled with the escalating costs of flights and accommodation, it can be a tough task to snag a budget-friendly break without sacrificing your dream destination.

To help ease the strain on your wallet, the holiday booking giant is offering up to 10% off selected package holidays when you spend £500 or more, and there are savings of up to £500 off to be found on holidays departing between May 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027.

Bargain breaks start from a mere £225 per person, with a 10% discount automatically applied to some of the most sought-after destinations from 2025, including Cape Verde, Turkey, the Balearics, Cyprus, and Mexico. The stunning Canary Islands are also part of the deal, allowing sun-seekers to soak up the rays in popular spots like Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, all at a reduced price.

Among the First Choice 10% discounts is a 7-night stay in June 2026 at the four-star TUI BLUE Atlantic Hills in Tenerife, on a half-board basis with flights included from around £567 per person. This holiday offers a generous total saving of around £580, including checked-in luggage and transfers, with two adults sharing a double room.

The same package but for May 2026 starts from around £618 per person, offering a total saving of £446. Other discounted holidays to the Spanish island are also available at a catalogue of luxurious beach resorts.

Moreover, holidaymakers can book a 7-night stay at the four-star Hotel H10 Lanzarote Princess in Lanzarote, on a half-board basis with flights included from £548 per person. This offers a total saving of around £310 and is based on two adults sharing a twin room, although transfers and checked-in luggage are not included.

Beyond the reductions, customers can also benefit from additional deals, including a £0 deposit scheme that allows holidaymakers to reserve their getaway and spread payments throughout the year. Furthermore, hundreds of hotels and resorts provide free accommodation for children, creating opportunities for even greater savings.

First Choice has also partnered with Airalo to offer all guests a complimentary 1GB eSIM, helping to reduce expenses when using mobile roaming overseas. Kevin Nelson, Managing Director of First Choice, commented: “We know people don’t want to compromise on amazing holiday experiences, but the impact of the cost of living is hitting us all.

“That’s why we’re offering our biggest ever discounts, on top of other great ways to save. So people can get the most holiday for their budget and take a break they deserve in 2026.”

For further details or to book your next getaway, you can visit the First Choice website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com