The advantages of booking your holiday early

When should you book your holiday? It’s a classic question. 

Going for last-minute deals has its perks. There can be a sense of fun when you spontaneously book an all-inclusive stay at a gorgeous resort. You might be able to bag a bargain on Monday and be on your flight by Friday. 

But early booking has so many advantages. In fact, you could find that planning a holiday ahead of time means that it will be more stress-free and you will get the best getaway possible. Here’s a look at some of the perks you can enjoy by being an early bird. 

Already thinking of your holiday?

If you have vague holiday plans, why not make them less ambiguous by coming up with a fully formed idea about where and when you want to go? Whether you’re dreaming of far-flung shores or joining the 40% who are staying closer to home, you could find that firming up your holiday booking now offers plenty of perks. 

What’s classed as early? 

Booking early tends to refer to making your travel plans nine or more months in advance of your holiday. You might want to plan this far in advance if you have certain dates and a destination in mind. 

For example, if you’re thinking of travelling to a music festival or attending another major event abroad, getting everything arranged early means you’re more likely to have the essentials covered. Perhaps you’re considering a ski holiday to Austria and want to make sure you’re there when the snow conditions are perfect or you’re heading on a cruise and want the best weather for the trip. 

Advance booking is also recommended if you or someone in your party has specific needs. For instance, if you’re travelling with someone who is older or you want to take a long-distance flight with young children, getting organised in advance could be hugely beneficial. 

Booking early: the best bits

Here’s what early bookings can get you: 

Best choice of accommodation in popular destinations

Last-minute deals mean you tend to get what’s left in terms of accommodation, especially if you’re heading to a popular holiday spot. If you’re at the front of the queue when rooms are released, you’re more likely to get the best rooms, villas or ski chalets. 

Fly in comfort and pre-book seats

Booking your flights in advance means you could get great seats. This is especially handy if you’re flying long-haul and want to make sure you’re comfortable on your journey. 

Better value for money and the price can be spread out over months

You can get some good deals if you’re an early bird. Look out for incentives for those who plan ahead and holiday providers that allow for payments in instalments. 

Less pressure and you have something to look forward to

There’s an adrenalin rush that comes with booking late. But if you plan in advance, you can relax and know you’ve got everything covered. This gives you something to look forward to and frees up time for you to plan what you’ll do while you’re there. 

This is a collaborative post.