Steel grey skies and plummeting temperatures; is there any wonder I’m dreaming of a holiday?
While the rest of the country draws up a Black Friday hitlist formed of kitchen appliances, personal tech and bargain presents to wrap under the Christmas tree, my eyes are firmly fixed on flight and hotel deals. For me, the rush of bagging a getaway at a knockout price does much to dispel encroaching winter blues.
Two years ago, I booked a cheap flight to Aqaba in South Jordan to visit the Petra Treasury and sleep under the stars in the desert. This year, it was Budapest’s buffet of culture, food and world-famous spas that were the fruit of my Black Friday bargain-hunting labours. Where this time? The juiciest bargains will tell.
If you’re hoping to book cheap flights, there are a few things to note for success.
How to shop for Black Friday flights
Airlines tend to sell seats for a limited time, generally between Black Friday and March of the following year (excluding Christmas and New Year). Earmark potential dates and secure annual leave before the event officially kicks off on November 29 to keep dithering at the crucial moment to a minimum. As you’d imagine, Black Friday flight deals are enormously popular and sell out quickly; you might find the seats swiped out from under you if you hang around for too long.
Keep costs low by opting for hand luggage only if possible.
Other ways to get from A to B
Consider alternative modes of transport, like rail or road, especially if you’re planning to visit another corner of the UK. The deals are generally more generous and you’ll trim down your carbon footprint to boot.
Think of your 2025 schedule
Hunting for hotel deals? The rules are a little more forgiving. Staycations tend to have a longer departure time, so whether you’re hoping to nab a Cotswold cottage for Easter or want to secure a local bed for a 2025 gig, you’ll have better luck here. Likewise, overnight spa breaks and sojourns to chic B&Bs in the southeast will feel like more of a deal given extra treatments or short journey times.
Find the holiday of your dreams - for less
Don’t forget that package holiday and luxury travel operators also join in with Black Friday sales, allowing you to scoop a five-star holiday at a three-star price. From exhilarating African safaris, romantic Indian Ocean breaks and memory-making Orlando holidays, I’ve seen some incredible deals on once-in-a-lifetime breaks over Black Fridays past.
What travel deals can we expect this year?
While there are enticing deals on business class seats, budget airlines such as easyJet and WizzAir have been known to flog economy fares at just £19.99 one way. Meanwhile, hotel groups like Yotel, Iberostar and IHG wiped up to 40 per cent of the cost of selected rooms, from beachfront resorts in the Med to city venues for a wellness weekend. And Eurostar claimed not to be joining in Black Friday, but just so happened to hold a seat sale over the exact same dates last year - but hey, who’s splitting hairs in the face of a great deal?
Trust ES Best’s travel deals coverage
We run a travel deals roundup every month, so we’re best placed to tell you if the so-called Black Friday bargain on a flight or room is what it seems. Of the hundreds of travel discounts and offers that flood into our inbox, we only select the best ones that offer real value for money. If we wouldn’t book it ourselves, you won’t see it featured.
How to keep up to date with the best Black Friday deals
Whether you’re aching to watch the sunrise in a new time zone or fancy checking into a chic B&B right here in the UK, there are plenty of Black Friday travel offers that will have you reaching for your credit card. We’ll keep you tuned into the best of them right here on this page (bookmarking is wise) and on our Live Blog running through the crucial weekend.
British Airways
BA's Black Friday sale is yet to take off, but we've spied 20 per cent off far-flung beach destinations already. Destinations include the dreamy Maldives in the Indian Ocean with fares from £579 return, or head west to the Caribbean where Antigua return seats are a sensational £370pp.
The catch? You’ll need to book them by November 18.
Buy now £396.00, British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Whether you're after a spot of R&R or you're thrill-seeking rollercoaster action, Virgin has you covered with deals to destinations across the planet.
Right now, the carrier is offering flights to Barbados for £389, Orlando from £475 and the Big Apple from £436.
If you're the type of traveller who likes to sort the nuts and bolts of their break in one place, Virgin is shaving £75 off the cost of a flight and hotel bundle right now.
Buy now £290.00, Virgin Atlantic
easyJet
The orange-coloured budget airline is famous for its low prices all year round.
If you're willing to go at a moment's notice, there are £28.99 flights (one way) in November with most of Western Europe and Iceland falling under that price. Meanwhile, winter breaks include seven nights in Malta from £202pp, a week in Bodrum from £243pp and the same duration in sunny Egypt from £368pp.
Buy now £17.99, easyJet
Booking.com
Dreaming of waking up in a bed that's not yours? Booking.com is ready to make your dreams come true with deals starting from November 21 until December 4. Its sale promises discounts of up to 35 per cent on rooms globally.
Right now, you can get two nights in Rome for £108pp including flights, departures from London Gatwick. Need guaranteed sunshine? bag two nights in Lanzarote in December from £151pp, or jump on an all-inclusive Marrakech deal from £148pp in early January.
Find more Black Friday deals at Booking.com here.
Buy now, Booking.com
Eurostar
Connecting the UK to mainland Europe, Eurostar is your gateway to the Continent. The superfast train always has decent fares to be found to its destinations: Brussels, Lille, Cologne, Lyon, Avignon, Strasbourg-Ville and of course Paris.
Fares start at £39 one way for dates in December and January, February and March 2025.
Buy now, Eurostar
When is Black Friday 2024?
The sale is always on the last Friday of November - this year that’s November 29. However, with stiff competition, many retailers have already launched early deals.
When does Black Friday end?
While most deals will end on December 2, the Monday after Black Friday known as Cyber Monday, a new phenomenon has extended the date - for travel at least. The next day is known as Travel Tuesday (this year December 3), the final call for all travel offers.
Why is it called Black Friday?
From keeping your bank balance in the black to the sight of traffic fumes choking streets on the OG Black Friday in 70s Philadelphia, there are many reasons the world calls this sale Black Friday. Whatever the real reason, you can’t argue that it’s pretty catchy.
