Holiday Planner
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Holiday planner: plan your holiday with Expedia
The anticipation of holiday planning in 2024 and researching is almost as good as actually being there. Start dreaming today and craft your perfect itinerary. When you book with Expedia, you can plan a holiday with access to the latest deals for thrilling destinations around the world. Choose from solo adventures, romantic couples escapes, family-friendly holidays or city breaks for the ultimate weekend trip with friends.
Whether you crave tropical beaches, winter adventures, active trips through the wilderness, or simply want to relax in luxury, select your stay and flight options and create a holiday to remember.
You can also add on optional extras to make your trip truly memorable. Why not choose a classic car to cruise around, make special requests to help celebrate birthdays, or book excursions to get your adrenaline flowing?
Expedia brings you our latest holiday planner guide, an all-in-one travel companion that makes your trip easy to research, organise, and share. Track flight prices to make sure you get some of the best deals and keep all your reservations and bookings in one place. You’ll also have access to our personal travel advisor powered by ChatGPT technology to answer any travel-related or destination-specific enquiries. Once your booking is complete, the app serves as a real-time record of your trip including up-to-date notifications on any changes to your reservations.
You're the architect of this holiday and with Expedia, you’ll get to plan it exactly how you want. Let's begin.
How to plan a holiday with Expedia?
Holiday planning with Expedia is simple and fun. Just follow these steps and get closer to your departure:
- Decide where to go
- Decide when to go
- Research on the Expedia app
- Share your travel plans with your group
- Book your flights and accommodation
- Book excursions or activities
- Enjoy your holiday!
1. Decide where to go on holiday
When you think "I need to plan my holiday", the first choice you need to make is where to go. Find a holiday destination in 2024 that matches the type of holiday you want to have and who will be joining you. For inspiration, check out Expedia's travel guides and choose somewhere new to explore or a favourite spot you've been waiting to revisit.
2. Explore trip ideas with ChatGPT on the Expedia app
Expedia's holiday planner app is powered with ChatGPT, offering you all the services of a mobile travel planner in your pocket. Not only can this technology suggest places to stay and visit, and how to navigate a new destination, but it also saves hotel recommendations and itinerary points of interest, helping you stay organised.
3. Save your trip ideas and invite people to your trip
Save all details of your holiday, including reservations and itineraries, and then invite others to the app to share your trip details. If you are the holiday planner in your family or friendship circle, your life is about to get much easier. Imagine quickly sharing all the details of a large family holiday or group trip with every person attending. You’ll never have to chase people up to remind them of flight times and hotel details again.
4. Decide when to go
Deciding when to go on holiday in 2024 will depend on the type of holiday you want to experience, where you're going, and practical considerations like the weather conditions at particular times of the year. Sometimes your travel dates will be set due to your holiday dates from work, or when your children are off school, but being flexible with your travel dates if possible is one of the best ways to save money on your holiday. Travelling off-season, for example, can save you hundreds of pounds.
5. Book flights, hotels, and car hire bundling your trip, for even more savings
Enjoy even more holiday savings when you book your flights and hotels together in a holiday package. Bundling your travel bookings including car hire is convenient and can help you save money.
6. When to book your holiday
According to Expedia's latest research and insight into air travel hacks, the cheapest day to travel is, generally speaking, on Fridays for international trips and Saturdays for travel within the UK. Booking your trip on a Sunday can save up to 20% off the cost of your next holiday. Booking in advance, up to 4 months before international travel, results in cheaper flights. It's also best to travel in the morning to avoid cancellations or delays which can snowball, affecting more flights later in the day.
7. Choose your way to pay
Book your next holiday and pay for it your way with choices to spread the cost in easy-to-manage monthly instalments with 0% interest with our deposit and payment plans or buy now and pay the balance in 30 days' time with 0 deposit holiday booking options.
8. Book activities and things to do
Pre-booking your activities and excursions helps you plan your holiday budget and gets you excited about your trip before you even leave. Choose from a huge range of things to do at your destination including tours, special events, theme parks, museums, and more.
See some of our best holiday deals
Explore some of the best deals right now.
Frequently asked questions about holiday planning on Expedia:
How to organise a holiday?
Organising your next trip away doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just follow these holiday planning steps:
- Pick a destination
- Choose your dates
- Set a budget
- Book flights and hotels
- Book activities and excursions
- Gather your travel documents and insurance
- Pack and enjoy your holiday!
How can I plan my holiday with Expedia?
Planning a holiday with Expedia is a straightforward process. Using the website or app you can search by destination, holiday type, and travel dates, among other search filters. Once you’ve chosen your flights and hotels, you can add on further travel services like car rentals or activities. You’ll have a chance to review and finalise all details before making your booking. Expedia provides a wealth of holiday planning resources from travel guides to search filters to help you find a great deal on your next trip. Download the Expedia app to use the ChatGPT function and benefit from travel advice at your fingertips.
Can I create my own holiday package?
Yes, you can create your own holiday package on Expedia by combining different travel components such as flights, accommodation, car rentals, and activities. Expedia offers a feature called 'Bundle and Save' that allows you to customise and create your own package holiday according to your preferences, making holiday planning a breeze.
How do I plan a family holiday?
When planning a family holiday, consider the unique needs and preferences of your family. For adventure-loving kids, book activities and excursions to keep them busy, for teens make sure your resort has facilities they’ll enjoy, and for multi-generational travel, you'll also want to include amenities the adults will appreciate like golf courses or spas. Whether your family prefers thrilling adventures gliding down ski slopes, exploring a city by bike, or simply relaxing on pristine beaches, Expedia offers a comprehensive selection of holidays for every family. Use our family-friendly filter to discover resorts and hotels that provide endless entertainment and enjoyment for everyone involved.
How do I plan a holiday on a budget?
Planning a holiday on a budget with Expedia is very convenient: you have the convenience of comparing destinations, selecting accommodation types, and sorting results by price, making it easier to find deals. Opt for budget-friendly United Kingdom family holidays or, for an affordable and enjoyable beach holiday with the kids, consider catching a flight to a sunny Portugal family holiday.
What factors should I consider when choosing a holiday destination?
Before choosing a holiday destination, do a little research on local weather and events to make sure it’s a good time to visit. For example, some places experience monsoons or poor weather during the summer, so your holiday dates may dictate some of the best places to travel. You’ll also want to check if there are special events or festivals going on that you may wish to avoid or attend. Expedia destination guides give you important information on a variety of places, so you know before you go.
How far in advance should I start planning my holiday?
The ideal timeframe to plan a holiday varies depending on several factors, including the destination, the type of trip, and personal preferences. However, as a general guideline, it's recommended to start planning your holiday at least a few months in advance, especially for international or peak-season travel, or if you are travelling to a popular destination.
How can I find some of the best deals for my holiday?
When planning a holiday, you can find some of the best deals for your holiday on Expedia by setting fare alerts for specific travel dates, so you’ll be notified when prices drop, allowing you to snag the best deals when they become available.
Being flexible with your travel dates and bundling hotels, flights and car hire is another way to save money and get some of the best holiday deals.
Is it better to book a holiday package or plan everything individually?
It depends on your travel plans and preferences but booking a holiday package is usually cheaper and more convenient. Planning your trip out with individual bookings for flights, hotels, and attractions gives you more flexibility to plan your holiday your way.
How do I budget for my holiday?
Budget for the total cost of your holiday by determining the total amount you are willing to spend on the trip and then breaking it down into categories for accommodation, flights, spending money, and other expenses. You’ll also want to leave some wiggle room for unexpected costs. Expedia’s payment plans with Klarna allow you to select different ways to pay; pay in full, pay in 30 days, or divide the cost of the holiday to pay in 3 instalments.
Does Expedia have a flexible cancellation policy?
Yes, Expedia search filters allow you to choose holidays with free cancellation and pay later options, so you can book with confidence. Customise your search results by payment type to ensure your holiday aligns with your needs. Keep in mind that cancellation policies can vary for different holiday packages, so it’s advisable to review and understand them before finalising your booking.
Why should I plan my next holiday with Expedia?
Expedia delivers incredible travel deals to help you plan and book one of your best holidays yet. Take advantage of our wide range of services and book your car hire, flights and stay all in one place. Prepare for endless fun and lasting memories with just a click on Expedia.
