Whether you want to book a cheap holiday at home or away, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you get the best price on your break. One of the simplest is to always search multiple travel websites, and even try calling up two or three agents who specialise in holidays to see if they can match prices or offer any extras such as free room upgrades. The price of flights, accommodation and car hire can vary hugely across different websites so it really does pay to be a savvy shopper.

As a general rule it is often cheaper to book your holiday in advance, particularly if you’re travelling during peak times like school holidays. This is because prices tend to rise based on demand, and booking early can secure the cheapest options. However, if you’re flexible with your destination or dates then you can still find great deals at the last minute. It’s also worth checking sites such as Tripadvisor to see if there are any events in your destination that might push prices up.

Another tip is to use a travel comparison website such as Teletext Holidays. It allows you to enter your airport, dates and length of trip and will then show you the cheapest options available. It will also give you a list of all-inclusive hotels and the average cost per night for that hotel in the month you’re searching, so you can make an informed choice.

You should also consider booking a package holiday to save time and money. These are bundled packages that include flights, accommodation and transport and are usually sold by tour operators or travel agents. They are normally ATOL or ABTA protected, meaning you’re entitled to a refund in the unlikely event that the company experiences financial problems.

It’s also a good idea to sign up to travel company newsletters, which can occasionally feature discounts or last-minute deals. You should also check with your credit card provider, as some may have loyalty schemes that can earn you rewards points you can then redeem for free travel.

If you’re really keen to bag a deal, try using the travel search engine Skyscanner, which searches over 1,200 airlines and travel websites. It’s super user-friendly, and it can also compare car hire and hotels, as well as showing you what’s on at your destination in the ‘Things To Do’ section. Another top tip is to use a Google Chrome extension called ‘CheaperThere’, which will automatically scan the web for the cheapest prices for your chosen itinerary. It’s easy to install and will save you a lot of time.. book cheap holiday online