Cheap holidays
Booking a cheap holiday means trusting a company with your money months before you travel. Knowing you will be looked after if something falls through matters most.
Cheap holidays companies
65 companies
About Cheap holidays
Cheap holidays cover package deals, flight-and-hotel bookings, budget accommodation, camping and caravan breaks, and short trips within the UK and abroad. The category spans high-street travel agents, online-only booking platforms, tour operators selling low-cost packages, and specialist firms focused on budget coach or self-catering holidays. Many of these companies reach customers through comparison sites, search engine advertising, social media and direct websites, while a smaller number still trade from physical branches.
Most firms in the sector are bound by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, which set out what a package provider must do and what protection customers receive. The Civil Aviation Authority licenses tour operators under the ATOL scheme, which protects flight-inclusive packages if a company fails. Industry bodies such as ABTA set codes of conduct for their members, and membership is displayed on many company websites.
The market is shaped by a mix of large, established operators with recognised brands and smaller independent businesses competing on price. Consolidation has produced a handful of groups that control substantial shares of package holidays, while online platforms have made it easier for new entrants to reach travellers directly. Because travel is booked months ahead and paid for in advance, the financial protection offered by regulators and trade bodies plays a central role in how the category is organised.
Questions about Cheap holidays
How do I choose a company for a cheap holiday?
Start by checking whether the company is an ATOL holder if you are buying a package holiday or flight, as this protects your money if the firm fails. Look at the Trust Mark or ABTA membership where relevant, and confirm the company's registered address and contact details on its website.
What should I compare when looking at cheap holidays?
Compare the total price including taxes, airport charges, baggage fees and transfers rather than the headline fare. Check the cancellation and amendment terms, the location and star rating of the accommodation, and the dates and times of flights.
Is a package holiday protected in the UK?
A package holiday sold by a UK company is protected under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. If the organiser becomes insolvent, you are entitled to a refund or repatriation, and an ATOL-protected booking is covered by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority.
What is the difference between ATOL and ABTA protection?
ATOL is a government-backed scheme administered by the Civil Aviation Authority that covers flights and package holidays that include a flight. ABTA is a trade association whose members must meet its Code of Conduct and offer financial protection through its own scheme, which covers package holidays and some other travel arrangements.
Can I cancel a holiday booking I have made?
Your cancellation rights depend on the terms you accepted when booking and on whether the booking is a package. For a package holiday you may cancel before departure, but you will have to pay the cancellation fees set out in the contract, so read those terms before you pay.
Do I get a cooling-off period when I book online?
Holidays booked online, by phone or away from business premises are not covered by the 14-day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 when the travel service is for a fixed date or period. Check the company's terms to see whether it offers any additional cancellation window.
What should I do before paying a deposit?
Confirm the total cost, the deposit amount and the balance due date in writing, and check how your payment is taken. Paying by credit card for purchases between £100 and £30,000 gives you protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which is a useful safeguard when booking.
What rights do I have if my holiday is not as described?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 a service must be performed with reasonable care and skill, and the holiday must match what was described. If it does not, you can ask for repair, a price reduction or a refund, and you may be able to claim compensation for the disappointment.
How do I make a complaint to a holiday company?
Put your complaint in writing to the company, set out what went wrong, and state the outcome you want within a reasonable deadline. If the company does not resolve it, you can escalate to ABTA or the relevant ATOL body, or refer the matter to a free alternative dispute resolution service.
Which regulators handle complaints about cheap holiday companies?
The Civil Aviation Authority regulates ATOL and the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme. Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority enforce consumer law, and the Advertising Standards Authority deals with misleading holiday advertising.
How can I tell if a company's reviews are genuine?
Look for reviews that describe specific trips, dates and details rather than general praise or criticism. Read the negative reviews as well as the positive ones, and check whether the company replies to complaints in a consistent way over time.
What should I check before I travel with a cheap holiday deal?
UK travel advice pages. Confirm your booking reference, the transfer times and your insurance cover before you leave home.