Revealed: The WORST time to book your 2026 summer holidays - and when to book instead
Research from travel search engine Kayak has uncovered when might be best to book.
By ALESIA FIDDLER - TRAVEL REPORTER
Published: 01:09 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 01:19 GMT, 1 January 2026
Millions of Brits jetted off on holiday last year, and many will be looking to book another trip in 2026.
Travellers looking for a bargain summer getaway might find better deals at certain times of the year.
International summer booking data from 2025 analysed by travel search engine Kayak revealed that the first two weeks of January worked out to be the best time to book a trip.
During this period, holidaymakers paid around £438 for return economy flights.
Those hoping to grab an affordable break might need to consider booking soon, as shortly after the low prices in January, costs sharply rose in February.
Kayak found February to be the most expensive time to book last year.
Holidaymakers paid an average of up to £599 - around 38 per cent higher than January in 2025.
If you miss the January deals, May proved to be another good time to book last year.
International summer booking data from 2025 analysed by travel search engine Kayak revealed that the first two weeks of January worked out to be the best time to book a trip (stock)
Air fares ranged between £417 and £467 on average and worked out to be cheaper than June and July.
As for where holidaymakers could be jetting off to in 2026, Kayak found there has been a growing interest in Central America.
Flight searches for this popular region have increased 37 per cent year-on-year.
Plane ticket prices are down by 13 per cent compared to last summer, with flights to San Jose, for example, 16 per cent lower compared to summer 2025.
Madrid has attracted a surge of interest too, with an 81 per cent increase in flight searches for the Spanish capital. Fares are reasonable - pricing up at an average of £113.
Other popular destinations include Amsterdam, Zakynthos and Porto.
Rachel Mumford, Kayak UK travel expert, says: 'The 2026 summer is set to be dominated by footy fans making the most of the world's biggest tournament.
'But for the fans just looking for an escape away from the sporting fever, there are plenty of budget-friendly options elsewhere, like Porto and Madrid, that are offering particularly strong value for money.'
As for where travellers are heading to in 2026, Madrid (pictured) has attracted a surge of interest with an 81 per cent increase in flight searches for the Spanish capital
She added: 'That said, summer 2026 is a perfect opportunity to explore the Americas and finally tick off those bucket-list trips.
'Central American hotspots, offering a mix of adventure and untouched landscapes, are already catching Brits' attention, with flight searches increasing well ahead of next year.
'The demand is further set to increase during this peak travel period and therefore, booking early can be key to securing the best prices and availability.'