logo
Brits warned 'never fly' on three dates with limited choices and high costs

Brits warned 'never fly' on three dates with limited choices and high costs

Daily Mirror26-04-2025

Holidaymakers are facing three specific dates in July where they should 'never fly' due to skyrocketing costs and 'limited choices', according to travel experts
Brits looking to jet off this summer have been hit with a stark warning from travel experts - steer clear of the skies on three dates in July if you want to avoid sky-high prices and airport chaos. Expedia, the travel giant, has identified these dates as the priciest for flights, coinciding with the beginning of the school summer holidays - a time when parents are scrambling to get away during the "short window" they have.
Jamie Fraser, the travel expert from Wild Packs American Summer Camp, has highlighted that airlines are well aware of the holiday frenzy and "tend to bump up prices" to take advantage of the peak season.

READ MORE: Woman lost more than 13 stone after deciding to 'delay not deny' food
This comes at a time when two-thirds (66 per cent) of Brits are already feeling the pinch with the cost of overseas jaunts. Flight costs have rocketed by 4.2 per cent (or £50 per person), making July 22, 23, or 29 the most expensive days to fly out, as demand "takes off", Jamie says.

He elaborated: "July marks the start of the school summer holidays, which is when demand for flights takes off. Parents with school-aged children are mostly limited to this short window, which makes it one of the busiest times to travel.
"Airlines know this and tend to bump up prices during these peak dates."
Jamie warned: "This not only hits your wallet, but can make the travel experience more stressful. With so many people flying at once, terminals are at max capacity, and you're more likely to face long queues at each stage of the airport, causing more delays.
"With the school summer holidays, you're likely faced with limited choices when it comes to flight times, baggage options, and where you sit. It's much harder to find convenient flight times, especially if you've booked late."
Jamie also shared four tips to help you save cash when you're flying in July, the first of which is setting up flight alerts using sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights. These sites will send you a notification when the price drops, reports the Express.
Secondly, he suggested flying on a Saturday, highlighting how Friday and Sunday are often the most expensive days to fly, with Tuesday usually being the cheapest.

If you're planning a weekend trip, flying on Saturday and coming home on Monday means you will miss one work day. However, you will probably pay "much less" when compared to a Friday-to-Sunday journey.
Jamie also said it's worth checking out other school holidays, saying: "Even if you're tied to school holidays, it's worth looking at when schools are off in other parts of the country.
"For instance, London schools might break up at a different time to those in the Midlands or the North, which could mean cheaper flights from a London airport if their term hasn't finished yet."
Finally, he recommended comparing the prices of smaller airports, explaining that the larger hubs, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, often have the most significant price rises during peak times.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches
Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches

Scottish Sun

time6 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches

Plus, one of the cheapest Greek islands that is set to be popular as TUI adds more hotels ISLE GO Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches AS parts of Spain become more crowded with tourists and prices are rising, Brits are ditching the country in favour of quieter Greek islands. Growing costs and overcrowding in Spain are pushing holidaymakers to alternative destinations, like Thassos, Lefkada and Agistri, according to Greek travel experts Ionian Island Holidays. 9 Growing costs and overcrowding in Spain are pushing holidaymakers to alternative destinations Credit: Alamy 9 Greek destinations like Thassos, Lefkada and Agistri are becoming great alternatives Credit: Alamy 9 The islands are known for being great value for money Credit: Alamy And these destinations don't break the bank. Especially, when drinks can be found in local tavernas for as low as £1, for example. Like on islands such as Kalymnos and Agistri, visitors can often find 500ml draught beer or a carafe of house wine priced between €1.50 and €2.50 (£1.30–£2.10). Meze dishes featuring grilled vegetables, fried cheese or seafood can be found for under €5 (£4.24). Places to eat and grab a drink are often family-run, which adds to their charm. A spokesperson for Ionian Island Holidays said: "Many of these tavernas have been in families for generations," "They care more about welcoming guests than maximising profit." Another reason why holidaymakers are heading to Greece over Spain, is for the peaceful coves and quiet beaches. For example, in Thassos, Marble Beach has white-pebble shores and clear water. Alternatively, in Lefkada, down cascading steps is Porto Katsiki - which is naturally calm. The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach In Agistri, Aponisos Beach has shallow water, perfect for families. Whilst many of the beaches across Greece are only reachable via foot or local water taxis, this helps preserve their charm. "You won't need to claim a sunbed at 7 a.m.—there's space for everyone," said an Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Undeniably, when on holiday food is a top priority. And in Greece, the food is fresh, local and often low cost. Seafood dishes like sardines, grilled octopus or calamari can be found for €8–€12 (£7–£10). 9 In Greece, the food is fresh, local and often low cost Credit: Alamy 9 Drinks can be found in local tavernas for as low as £1, too Credit: Alamy Or hearty mains such as moussaka or souvlaki typically cost €6–€9 (£5–£8). If you wanted to share, plates (meze) of fava, dolmades, tzatziki or fried courgette often start at just €3 (£2.50). Most meals tend to be cooked from scratch using local ingredients. Tavernas will grow their own herbs, source fish directly from nearby harbours and cook with olive oil processed locally. Most meals are made from scratch using local ingredients—many tavernas grow their own herbs, source fish directly from nearby harbours and use olive oil pressed locally. "It's not just cheap—it's authentic. These aren't tourist menus; they're cooking for neighbours, too," added the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Typically, Greece also offers better value accommodation and daily costs remain the cheapest in Europe, during off-peak months. For example, double rooms in local guesthouses on Thassos or Lefkada cost around £25–£35 per night. 9 Double rooms in local guesthouses on Thassos or Lefkada cost around £25–£35 per night Credit: Alamy 9 Transport tends to be cheap too with short inter-island ferries costing under €10 (£8.47) Credit: Alamy Many properties have kitchenettes too, which is ideal for families wanting to cook their own food. For transport, short inter-island ferries are typically under €10 (£8.47). "Families and couples can enjoy an entire day out, meals included, for the price of a single tourist attraction in other destinations," said the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Unlike many parts of Spain, Greece has less overcrowding. Travellers often report being welcomed into village festivals, outdoor cinemas and local cafés, as well as feeling like part of the community by the end of their stay. "Visitors often say they feel like they're in a real community, not a tourist zone," commented the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. 9 The shoulder months including May, June and September, are also becoming more favourable as well Credit: Alamy "That authenticity is priceless." When it comes to what Brits are actually looking for, natural beauty, value for money and meaningful local experiences repeatedly crop up. The shoulder months including May, June and September, are also becoming more favourable with couples, solo travellers and families seeking calm and affordability. The Ionian Islands Holidays spokesperson said: "Our guests are looking for quality without excess… beautiful views, kind people and good food that doesn't cost a fortune." There is also a smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular. Plus, one of the cheapest Greek islands that is set to be popular as TUI adds more hotels.

Brits reveal most expensive holiday mistakes from £30 Coca-Cola to £80 t-shirts
Brits reveal most expensive holiday mistakes from £30 Coca-Cola to £80 t-shirts

Scottish Sun

time7 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Brits reveal most expensive holiday mistakes from £30 Coca-Cola to £80 t-shirts

Take the quiz to see if you are an 'international money master' HOLIDAMAKERS have revealed some of the most expensive things they've bought by accident - in another country. A poll of 2,000 travellers found one had mistakenly stumped up £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in Rome, while another bought a t-shirt for £80 that they thought was £10. Advertisement Try out the clever Post Office quiz Three in 10 felt they have often paid more for something on holiday because they were a tourist. Other shocking expenses accidentally incurred by respondents included a single shot of whiskey ending up at £48. While someone else forked out £25 for a taxi ride in Amsterdam – only to find themselves arriving at their destination after less than a mile. The research, carried out by Post Office, showed travellers often suffer with currency confusion, as a fifth (21 per cent) admitted to getting confused about how much money is worth 'in pounds' when they go away. Advertisement Which leads to a quarter (26 per cent) paying more than expected for something. Six in 10 correctly knew £5 sterling would get them between $6-$7 in the US, the remaining 40 per cent were clueless, with a quarter (24 per cent) of them guessing they'd get less than $6. Probably the most common conversion for Brits – euros – also confused respondents, with almost a third (32 per cent) not knowing what £5 would get them. Instead of the correct answer of €5-€6, 17 per cent thought it would be less than €5 and 13 per cent thought it would be as high as €8. Advertisement With nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) attempting to work out local currency rates in their own heads, it's no wonder things can go wrong. While just over one in 20 (six per cent) will ask somebody nearby and then take their word for it, according to the figures. Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, which commissioned the research to raise awareness of its Travel Money Card said: 'Our research reveals many travellers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currencies on the go, and that can lead to overspending. "We wanted to highlight how easily confusion around exchange rates can impact holiday budgets - no one wants to waste time abroad worrying about money. Advertisement "It's surprising that only 19 per cent of travellers use a prepaid travel card for their spending abroad when it can allow travellers to lock in a good rate before travelling." The study found respondents are taking measures to stop them accidentally spending a fortune on holiday keepsakes – with 17 per cent relying on currency conversion apps. And when it comes to money safety, they are taking measures to keep their money more secure while travelling – with 49 per cent using a separate card which is not linked to their main bank account for spending abroad – keeping their 'main funds' safe from fraudsters or thieves. Laura Plunkett for Post Office, which has a Travel App which allows holidaymakers to check exchange rates and track spending in real time, added: 'Nothing disrupts a holiday like a financial mishap. Keeping your travel money separate from your main account is a smart move to give you greater control, clearer visibility of what you're spending, and an extra layer of protection – and something 96 per cent of respondents agreed was important. Advertisement 'Whether you're budgeting carefully or just want to avoid mixing travel purchases with everyday costs, this small step can make a big difference to your trip.'

Aldi is selling 'foldable' £5 item that's ideal for hand luggage
Aldi is selling 'foldable' £5 item that's ideal for hand luggage

Daily Record

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Aldi is selling 'foldable' £5 item that's ideal for hand luggage

The supermaket has introduced a new 'space saving' item for holidaymakers packing suitcases The countdown to the summer holidays is prompting passengers to dig out their suitcases and prepare to pack their bags. For many Brits, it's essential to ace the packing to avoid the extra luggage fees that airlines charge for supersized bags. Thankfully, Aldi could have just the thing for shoppers looking to streamline their luggage and save on costs. The supermarket has introduced a new selection of travel essentials, including three bags designed for use in hand luggage. ‌ Shoppers can choose from a Basic Foldable Bag, a Compress Pack and a Duffle Bag for £4.99 each. Aldi's product description says: "Make sure you are ready for all adventures. Whether it is a cheeky weekend away, or hand luggage for that family holiday." ‌ The Foldable Bag measures 42 x 28 x 13cm when it is open and approximately 20 x 16 x 2cm when folded. The features include adjustable mesh shoulder straps, mesh side pockets on both sides, a reversible front pocket, and a carry handle. It's a black backpack, and it can hold all of your essentials in one place. For instance, you could use it to store your passport and travel documents. Meanwhile, the pack is available in large or medium sizes. The large pack measures 38 x 26 x 10cm, which decreases to approximately 38 x 26 x 2.5cm once compressed, and the medium pack measures 27 x 19.5 x 10cm at full size, equating to approximately 27 x 19.5 x 2.5cm when compressed. Aldi says the "space saving" packs "keep your clothes neat and tidy." There's also the duffle bag, which measures approximately 44 x 33 x 16cm and holds around 22L. It features a front pocket/ trolley sleeve, a carry handle, mesh pockets on both sides, and a main compartment that has a water repellent zipper with double puller. Aldi adds that it is made from durable water repellent ripstop material. ‌ All three items are SpecialBuys and are scheduled to arrive in stores on Sunday, June 15. The bags are part of a wider travel range that includes various other items such as sunglasses, beach accessories, and a travel adaptor. The beach accessories include a £1.99 phone case with a lanyard. Aldi says: "Carry your phone, keys, wallet, passport or any important items you want to keep safe from water damage." There are also pink and blue inflatable pillows and towel pegs for the same price. Meanwhile, families with young children might like the £7.99 Children's Activity Travel Tray. The themed trays come in space, unicorn or woodland animal designs. Aldi says parents can "let your little ones get creative and keep them occupied on the move," with the trays, which have five colour water pens and 20 papers, along with a polyester table including plastic and zipper, and a reusable transparent surface.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store