Should You Book Your 2028 Holiday Now or Wait?

Should You Book Your 2028 Holiday Now or Wait?

The flights aren't all out, the kids haven't finished next year's school year, and somebody's already asking about summer 2028. Welcome to holiday planning.

We're not even at the end of 2026, and people are already looking at holidays for 2028.

Yes, really. 2028.

Before you start wondering whether you've accidentally slept through an entire year, there's a perfectly sensible reason for it. Some hotels, tour operators and holiday suppliers are already beginning to release their 2028 availability.

And for certain travellers, booking early can be a genuinely smart move.

But does that mean everyone should rush to secure their sun loungers two years in advance?

Absolutely not.

Let's look at when booking early makes sense, when waiting might be better, and what you really need to consider before handing over a deposit.

First Things First: Is 2028 Even Available Yet?

The short answer is: some of it is.

Holiday availability doesn't arrive in one enormous release. Different airlines, hotels and tour operators open their booking calendars at different times.

You might find a hotel accepting reservations for 2028 while the flights you need haven't been released. Another operator might offer a complete package, while your preferred departure airport has nothing available yet.

And sometimes a hotel appearing as unavailable doesn't mean it's fully booked. It simply hasn't opened its rates for those dates.

This is particularly important if you've got your heart set on a specific property.

Worth Knowing: If you can't find your preferred hotel for 2028, don't automatically assume it's sold out. It might just be too early.

Contemporary hotel room with two beds and elegant decor in León, Mexico.

Photo by Pepe Picon on PexelsWhy Booking Early Can Be a Brilliant Idea

1. You Need a Particular Room Type

This is a big one for families.

If you're travelling as two adults and three children, you'll already know that finding a suitable room isn't always straightforward.

Family suites, interconnecting rooms, larger apartments and villas can be limited, particularly in popular resorts during school holidays.

A hotel might have hundreds of rooms, but only a handful that comfortably accommodate your family.

Booking early can give you access to a wider choice before those particular rooms disappear.

And if you're planning a holiday with grandparents, friends or another family, having everyone accommodated together can make early planning even more valuable.

2. You're Travelling During School Holidays

Easter, summer and Christmas are always popular travel periods.

When your dates are fixed by school calendars, you don't have the same flexibility as someone who can travel on a random Tuesday in November.

Booking early may give you more choice of flights, accommodation and departure dates.

Does it guarantee the lowest price?

No.

But it can mean you're choosing the holiday you actually want rather than settling for whatever is left.

3. You Have a Specific Hotel in Mind

Perhaps you've stayed somewhere before and loved it.

Perhaps you've spent months researching a particular resort.

Or perhaps your children have decided that a holiday without seventeen waterslides, a lazy river and an ice-cream station is simply unacceptable.

Whatever your reason, if there's one hotel you absolutely want, booking early can make sense once the right package and terms are available.

Popular properties and specialist room categories don't necessarily wait politely for everyone to make up their minds.

4. You Want Time to Spread the Cost

One of the biggest advantages of booking well in advance can be the opportunity to pay a deposit and spread the remaining balance over a longer period.

Rather than finding several thousand pounds in one go, you may have time to budget gradually.

However, deposits, instalment arrangements and balance deadlines vary by supplier.

Some bookings require larger deposits, and certain rates may need to be paid in full.

Always check the actual payment terms before assuming a holiday can be secured for a small upfront amount.

Silhouette of tropical resort with sea view, palm trees, and sun loungers at sunset.

Photo by Felix Haumann on Pexels

But Here's Why Waiting Can Be Just as Sensible

1. Your Flights Haven't Been Released

This is probably the biggest reason not to rush.

You might find a beautiful hotel at a fantastic-looking rate, but if the flights aren't available yet, you don't necessarily know the true cost of getting there.

Flights can make an enormous difference to a holiday budget, particularly for a family of five.

And if you're travelling from a regional airport such as Newcastle, your options may be more limited than from larger airports.

Booking accommodation separately before flights are released can work in some circumstances, but it introduces risks.

What happens if the flights are significantly more expensive than expected?

Or if the airline doesn't operate your preferred route on the dates you've booked?

Sometimes waiting for a complete package is the more sensible option.

2. Your Plans Might Change

Two years is a long time.

Children grow up, school schedules change, work commitments move around and sometimes life simply has other ideas.

Before committing, look carefully at the cancellation and amendment conditions.

A refundable hotel rate is not the same as a non-refundable package. And paying a deposit doesn't automatically mean that's the maximum amount you could lose.

Depending on the booking conditions, cancellation charges can increase as departure approaches.

Travel insurance is important, but it won't necessarily cover a simple change of mind.

3. Early Doesn't Always Mean Cheapest

Let's clear up one of the biggest holiday-booking myths.

Booking earlier does not guarantee a lower price.

Prices depend on demand, availability, flight capacity, supplier promotions and plenty of other factors.

Sometimes early-booking offers are excellent.

Sometimes a later promotion beats them.

And sometimes the price goes up so much that you're extremely glad you booked when you did.

Unfortunately, there's no magical calendar date when every holiday suddenly becomes cheapest.

If there were, travel agents would all be booking their own holidays on exactly the same afternoon.

4. You Have Plenty of Flexibility

If you don't mind where you go, can travel outside peak dates and aren't particularly attached to one hotel, waiting can give you more options.

You might discover a destination you hadn't considered or find a fantastic offer once more flights and accommodation become available.

For flexible travellers, keeping an open mind can be more valuable than booking two years ahead.

What About Booking Directly With a Hotel?

This is where things get interesting.

Some hotels open their rooms well before package holiday operators release complete holidays.

You may be able to reserve accommodation directly, but that doesn't automatically make it the best option.

Before booking, consider:

In the UK, qualifying package holidays generally provide stronger combined protections than simply booking individual travel components separately.

That doesn't mean independent travel is a bad idea. It just means understanding exactly what you're buying.

So, Who Should Be Looking at 2028 Already?

I'd particularly encourage early research if you're:

Notice I said early research, not necessarily early booking.

There's a difference.

You can start narrowing down destinations, hotels, room types and budgets long before you need to make a financial commitment.

And that preparation can put you in a much better position when the right holiday becomes available.

My Advice? Be Early to Plan, Not Necessarily Early to Pay

If you're thinking about 2028, now is a perfectly reasonable time to start the conversation.

Work out where you'd like to go, what your budget might be, which dates are realistic and what matters most to your family.

Then look at what's actually available.

If a suitable holiday is on sale, the price works for you and the booking conditions are acceptable, there may be a very good reason to secure it.

If the flights aren't out, the room types aren't confirmed or the cancellation terms make you uncomfortable, there's absolutely nothing wrong with waiting.

The best time to book isn't simply the earliest date possible. It's when the right holiday, at the right price, with the right terms, becomes available.

And sometimes the smartest thing a travel agent can tell you is:

“I'd wait a little longer.”

A joyful family strolls along a tropical beach, enjoying a sunny day together.

Photo by Gabdu Jomart on Pexels

Planning Your 2028 Holiday?

Whether you're dreaming about a family resort in Greece, a villa in Florida, a special celebration abroad or something completely different, I'm happy to help you explore your options.

I can look at what's available now, explain what's still to be released and help you decide whether booking early genuinely makes sense.

No pressure to book something simply because a booking calendar has opened.

Travel simple. Discover more.

Raia Travel 💚