Booking a holiday online is quick, easy and often a lot cheaper than going to a travel agent. To give you a hand, we’ve searched the best websites around so you can get yourself to the beach with a few simple clicks.
What to know before booking a holiday online
Holidays don’t come cheap – especially if they’re to your dream destination, so you need to read the small print before you start daydreaming about that sun lounger. When you’re buying online, make sure it’s with a reputable website and check the Terms and Conditions carefully before booking. Will you get a refund if you can’t make the trip for some reason? What happens if the company you are booking with goes into administration? These are all very unlikely to happen but it’s good to check the details before you commit your hard-earned cash.
The advantages of booking a holiday online
The main advantage of booking online is that it is significantly cheaper than going to a travel agent. With a relatively small outlay, websites can sift through thousands of offers and destinations around the world to find you the best places at the lowest cost. There is also a lot more choice, so you can scroll through hundreds of resorts to find the right one for you.
The best places to book a holiday - what we considered
So what did we take into consideration when choosing our favourite places to book online?
- Personal experience: While we may not have used every online booking site on this list, many are trusted sites that HELLO! editors rely on.
- Reputation: All of the booking sites on our list are trustworthy and reputable - the most important factor when booking online is the trust factor. You need to know that your travel plans and your money are safe and scam-free.
- Easy-to-use: We love a user-friendly e-commerce site, and that includes travel.
- Popularity: Many of the online booking sites on this list aren't only household names, they're also the go-to for travellers around the world because of proven track records, from Booking to Airbnb.
The best places to book a holiday online
Now that you know the basics, it's time to get booking!
Sykes Holiday Cottages
Whether you’re planning a romantic escape to the country or a girls’ weekend away, this website has thousands of stunning cottages to choose from across the UK. From a thatched cottage in the Cotswolds to a shepherd’s hut in Scotland, you’ll find the ideal place to get away from it all.
Booking.com
With a phenomenal choice of hotels, flights, attractions, resorts and package holidays and a simple search function, the only problem you’ll have with the Booking.com website is narrowing your options down.
TUI
At TUI you'll find flights and hotels as well as holiday packages and experiences. They specialise in family holidays, so it's a great choice if you're looking for a break that's suitable for kids.
Air Bnb
From an apartment in LA and a beach hut in Thailand to a chateau in France and a swanky pad in Dubai, this website has places to stay all over the world. Properties often double as someone’s home so instead of an identikit holiday, expect one with a few quirks. "Air bnb is my favourite for booking UK trips," says Commerce Writer Sophie Bates. "It's easy to contact your host through the app and there's so many worldwide options for accommodation. Just be sure to check the host's reviews before booking to avoid any surprises."
Travelodge
With over 580 hotels across the UK and Spain, Travelodge combines good value with clean, modern interiors. With hotels in the majority of the UK’s towns, cities and near its airports, you can expect hearty breakfasts, soft beds and friendly staff wherever you go.
The Plum Guide
The Plum Guide has a rigorous vetting process and review every single home available, before selecting the top 3% in each price bracket to feature on their website.
Hotels.com
Forget the name, Hotels.com has a lot more on offer than just accomodation. You can book flights, excursions, tours, cottages, apartments and package holidays, as well as hotels on this easy-to-use website.
First Choice
If you're looking for a great deal this summer, First Choice has plenty available online, like £100 off selected holidays departing before 30 September. Plus, they've done all of the hard work for you when it comes to choosing quarantine-free destinations and ordering Covid testing packages.
Princess Cruises
Set sail in the ultimate luxury on a Princess cruise ship. You’ll get to travel to destinations such as Hawaii, Australia, the Caribbean and Alaska, while enjoying the all luxuries of being on a cruise ship, fully equipped with several swimming pools, restaurants, a golf driving range and a casino.
Haven Holidays
A Haven Holiday is the perfect option if you’ve got a baby or toddler and you want to relax too. With playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, beaches and shows that they’ll love, the whole family is guaranteed to have a great time.
Sandals
Finally booking that Caribbean holiday you’ve always dreamed of? Sandals offer all-inclusive luxury at some of the world’s most beautiful resorts. Indulge yourself with pristine beaches, inviting swimming pools, delicious cuisine and mind-blowing cocktails.
Wowcher
Get amazing savings on luxury hotels across the world at this discount website. You’ve got to be quick not to miss out but savvy travellers can book a trip to Portugal, a city break or a Caribbean getaway for a fraction of the usual price.
Viator
Book a water sports excursion in Bali, explore the Grand Canyon or have a sailing trip in Cancun, this is the website to go for if you want a holiday that you can talk about when you come home.
Tripadvisor
Famous for its honest user reviews, Tripadvisor is the place to go if you want to make sure your holiday is going to live up to your expectations. As well as thousands of holiday rentals all over the world, you can also find the right restaurant when you get there and book activities in the ‘Things To Do’ section. "Trip Advisor is the first place I look when planning a trip to a new location, from hotels to restaurants," says Senior Lifestyle Editor Karen Silas. "Its the best place to find out the good, the bad and the ugly about anywhere you're not familiar with when you travel."
Expedia
Expedia is a great website if you’re a little unsure of what exactly you want from a holiday. With a simple-to-use search function and a huge range of holidays, from city breaks and beach escapes to adventure trips and family vacations, you can streamline your options with a few clicks. Plus, the prices are competitive and you can see what other users thought from their insightful reviews.
Skyscanner
This website scans thousands of travel deals from all over the world so you don’t have to! It’s the perfect one-stop shop for holiday planning and you can book flights, hotels and car hire at the same place and at a great price. "I've not booked a holiday package on Skycanner but it is my go-to for flights," says Director of Lifestyle and Commerce Leanne Bayley. "It's a really easy website to use on mobile, which makes checking for a last minute flight super easy."
Lastminute.com
Unlike the name suggests, this isn't just the place for a last minute getaway (although you can find that too!) There are also lots of package holiday deals including daily flash sales on destinations from Barcelona to Barbados.
So... who's ready to jet off on holiday?
