When is the best time to go on holiday?
As Brits plan where to go on holiday this autumn, we look at the best times to travel, so you get the best value for your money.
With the hottest summer on record behind us and the first signs of autumn appearing, many Brits will undoubtedly be planning to go on holiday.
Whether you’re looking forward to an island break, a golfing getaway or planning a UK staycation, we look at the best value-for-money dates to go on holiday, the busiest travel times, and the most popular autumn destinations across the globe.
The most popular places to go on holiday in autumn
Autumn’s reputation as a cheaper time to travel may be over, with prices now higher than in summer, according to Expedia’s Autumn Travel Outlook. However, there are still popular destinations where holidaymakers can find better value for their money.
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For instance, while prices are higher in domestic hotspots like Birmingham (+30%) and Liverpool (+20%), they are typically less expensive in the Lake District (-10%) and the Isle of Wight (-20%) post-summer.
Expedia’s findings are based on comparing domestic stays booked between 1 June and 31 August 2026, with stays booked between 1 September and 30 November 2026.
Destinations like Luxembourg and Albania are attracting a growing number of tourists looking for time away from the crowds in undiscovered places.
These trending destinations are based on Expedia search data from 13 April 2026 to 12 July 2026 for travel between 1 September 2026 and 30 November 2026, compared with the same period last year.
Rank |
Trending UK destinations |
Trending international destinations |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Stirling, Scotland |
Luxembourg |
2 |
Northampton, England |
Curaçao |
3 |
Poole, England |
Strasbourg, France |
4 |
Torquay, England |
Annecy, France |
5 |
Harrogate, England |
San Juan, Puerto Rico |
6 |
Bristol, England |
Beijing, China |
7 |
Cotswolds, England |
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy |
8 |
Leeds, England |
Sarandë, Albania |
9 |
Durham, England |
Budva, Montenegro |
10 |
Norwich, England |
Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Source: Expedia Autumn Travel Outlook report
The best time to go on holiday in autumn
Autumn is often termed ‘shoulder season’, as it falls between the peak summer months and a busy winter, so you can get more value for money without compromising on quality.
If you’re planning a break, here are the dates worth keeping in mind.
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to fly |
9 and 29 November |
27 November and 18 September |
Most expensive days to fly |
31 October and 19 November |
11 and 18 November |
Least busy days to fly |
18 and 25 November |
18 and 24 November |
Busiest days to fly |
5 and 6 September |
4 and 11 September |
Source: Expedia Autumn Travel Outlook report
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to stay |
8 and 22 November |
4 and 18 November |
Most expensive days to stay |
1 October and 1 November |
17 and 24 October |
Least busy days to stay |
10 and 30 November |
18 and 24 November |
Busiest days to stay |
4 and 11 September |
1 and 5 September |
Source: Expedia Autumn Travel Outlook report
The best time to go on holiday in summer
If you're looking for a quieter journey with less chance of crowds or a more budget-friendly trip, here's what you need to know.
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to fly |
June 16 and August 21 |
June 5 and 19 |
Most expensive days to fly |
3 and 11 June |
20 and 21 July |
Least busy days to fly |
29 July and 4 August |
25 and 30 August |
Busiest days to fly |
7 and 26 June |
5 and 12 June |
Source: Expedia Summer Travel Outlook report
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to stay |
June 7 and 21 |
June 2 and 7 |
Most expensive days to stay |
2 July and 5 August |
8 and 11 August |
Least busy days to stay |
25 and 31 August |
30 and 31 August |
Busiest days to stay |
12 June and 3 July |
5 and 12 June |
Source: Expedia Summer Travel Outlook report
The best time to go on holiday in spring
Spring is a popular time for holidaymakers looking to escape the final chapter of cold weather in Britain, and certain dates may offer better value than others.
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to fly |
3 and 15 May |
6 March and 24 April |
Most expensive days to fly |
11 and 12 April |
28 and 29 March |
Least busy days to fly |
13 and 27 May |
28 April and 31 May |
Busiest days to fly |
1 and 8 March |
27 March and 3 April |
Source: Expedia Spring Travel Outlook report
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to stay |
1 and 2 March |
3 March and 27 April |
Most expensive days to stay |
23 and 31 May |
5 April and 23 May |
Least busy days to stay |
5 and 31 May |
28 April and 31 May |
Busiest days to stay |
6 and 27 March |
2 and 3 April |
Source: Expedia Spring Travel Outlook report
The best time to go on holiday in winter
While winter isn’t the most affordable time to go on holiday, there are still ways to get the most value for your money.
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to fly |
3 and 26 February |
4 and 5 December |
Most expensive days to fly |
17 December and 3 January |
17 and 21 December |
Least busy days to fly |
27 January and 4 February |
22 and 25 February |
Busiest days to fly |
2 and 4 January |
19 and 20 December |
Source: Expedia Winter Travel Outlook report
Travel periods |
Domestic travel |
International travel |
|---|---|---|
Cheapest days to stay |
5 and 26 January |
16 January and 2 February |
Most expensive days to stay |
28 and 29 December |
27 December and 14 February |
Least busy days to stay |
4 and 25 February |
22 and 24 February |
Busiest days to stay |
5 and 12 December |
20 and 27 December |
Source: Expedia Winter Travel Outlook report
How to find the best value travel deals
Planning a holiday doesn’t always have to be stressful – as long as you’re well prepared. Our checklist could even help you save money on your holiday.
1. Sort out your travel insurance
Many people put off buying travel insurance and prioritise booking travel and accommodation, but it is a good idea to sort your coverage sooner rather than later. It can be very helpful if you get stuck by travel delays or face hefty medical fees while overseas.
2. Book refundable accommodation
It’s a good idea to reserve hotels that have flexible policies like ‘free cancellation’ or ‘reserve now, pay later’. That way, you can have peace of mind in case you need to change the dates of your trip or cancel at the last minute due to an emergency.
3. Bundle up
All-inclusive packages can be a good option if you want to travel with ease. You can customise your packages in one place, whether it’s flights, car hire, hotels or any activities you’re planning to partake in.
4. Don’t forget about travel money
It’s highly recommended that you don’t get your travel money at the airport, where exchange rates are poor. You will also want to make sure that you have the right cards for travel abroad, so you don’t get stung by high fees.
5. Find the best time to book your flights
Flying on the right day can save you stress at the airport, but knowing when to book your flights can save you hundreds of pounds – money you can put towards your trip instead. If you prefer to fly premium, there are ways to find cheap business and first-class flights.
