Travel Expert’s 5 Reasons To Book Your European City Break In January

27.01.2024 - 12:17 / forbes.com

After the high-energy festive period, January can feel like the gloomiest time of the year. As people seek to lift spirits, it has become one of the most popular months for booking vacations, with searches for 'holiday 2024' up 49% in the last three months.

But is planning your break now a good idea? According to travel experts at booking website OMIO, it is. Here are five reasons why they say you should be making reservations for your European city break in January.

“As the festive season winds down, January presents an opportunity to take advantage of multiple airlines and rail companies offering flash sales and early-booking incentives for package holidays and advance train tickets,” says Veronica Diquattro, President of B2C Europe at OMIO. “However, it's essential not to rush into purchases without due consideration of all options.”

Diquattro ecommends looking at comparison sites where will be able to find a range of competitive rates and get the best deals possible.

Even though booking last minute does sometimes result in great deals, making reservations early means avoiding disappointment. The longer you wait, the higher the demand becomes, which reduces the likelihood of you getting your preferred date and time of departure.

What's more, standard prices tend to increase nearer to the date of travel. "If you're planning to travel to a European destination via train, early booking is crucial to secure the best possible deals," says Diquattro. "Prices can surge to double or even triple their initial value if you wait until the last minute, making it all the more important to book well in advance."

“To kick the winter blues, plan a holiday now so you have something to look forward to," says Diquattro. "For those who have already secured their annual leave dates for 2024 and are considering a quick getaway, there is no better time than now to explore the available deals and book your dream vacation. By securing your reservations early, you can avoid the rush and ensure that you get the best possible deals.”

If you are planning to book a holiday for the summer, finalizing things at the start of the year will allow time to create a savings plan to make things less stressful as the vacation approaches.

Before booking, consider your budget for the trip and what you can realistically save each month. Once this is sorted, and your holiday is booked, you can start setting aside your desired amount so you are well-prepared by the time you set off.

Typically, travelling during shoulder seasons is more cost effective than travelling during peak season, according to Diquattro. This is because there is less demand, and sometimes it can be even cheaper if you opt to travel on less busy days like Tuesday or