The only thing more thrilling than booking a holiday is knowing you’ve managed to bag one at a knockout price. While there are a few flashpoints in the year when airlines cut their fares, increasingly, Black Friday is starting to eclipse them.
If you’re of an ‘experiences’ rather than a ‘things’ person, a Black Friday travel deal could be the most tantalising prospect of all.
While there are plenty of Black Friday fashion, beauty, homewares and tech discounts to snap up, this roundup focuses on arguably the biggest prize of all: ways to spend your precious annual leave.
Whether you dream of exploring new frontiers or fancy booking in a few city breaks to bring some fizz to January weekends, there are travel deals for every kind of traveller and every budget. Tour operators have joined the party too, with exciting itineraries to spice up your next trip - think safari drives, cooking lessons, vineyard excursions - which are perfect if you’ve already locked in your flights. Hotels, too, are spotlighting great savings, meaning now’s the time to get a luxury snooze for less.
Even shopping editors like myself aren’t immune to the plethora of offers on show. I’ve bought a travel deal in the Black Friday sales for the last three years, travelling to the Middle East, Med and Europe for a snip of the usual cost.
My tips for success are as follows:
- Discuss destinations with travel partners well ahead of the official sale. There won’t be time to engage in lengthy pros and cons when the clock is ticking.
- Ditto securing annual leave as a preliminary move before the sale. You don’t want to kibosh your trip because of an AL clash with a colleague. You can always cancel if you don’t find a deal you like.
- Agree on a budget with your travel buddies so you’re all on the same page, money-wise.
- Consider flying on a Saturday when flights tend to be cheaper than Friday departures.
- If you’re going short-haul, make your peace with only taking an underseat bag to avoid those pesky extra baggage fees.
Fingers itching for your passport? Then I won’t keep you on standby any longer.
Find the best Black Friday travel deals worth booking below.
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British Airways
BA's Black Friday sale is waiting to take off, but current headline deals include fares to Europe for £57. Meanwhile, a two-night Berlin break starts from £189pp, pairing a flight and a hotel stay in one easy bundle.
Hoping to bag a break somewhere further afield? The shiny new route to St. Louis is yours from £540 (departures from April 2026).
Buy now £635.00, British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
Whether you’re looking east or west, Virgin has a route to suit. If you’re seeking newness (and a bag stuffed with authentic Korean beauty and snacks), the airline has just launched a new route to Seoul. It also serves North America pretty well, with destinations to the US, Canada and the Caribbean all on offer.
Fares from £409.
Buy now £376.00, Virgin Atlantic
easyJet Holidays
The budget airline is famous for its low prices all year round, with steals available even hours before departure.
Deals right now include family holidays from £185pp, beach breaks from £212pp, and effortless all-inclusives from just £276pp.
If you're only after flights, seats to Toulouse are £38.99pp, while Brindisi, Barcelona, Malaga and Venice are all under the £50pp mark.
Buy now £17.99, easyJet
Eurostar
Connecting the UK to mainland Europe, Eurostar is your gateway to the Continent. The superfast train always has decent fares to its destinations: Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam and, of course, the City of Lights itself: Paris.
Fares start at £39 one way for selected dates in January and February 2026.
If you’re travelling last minute, it’s always worth checking out Eurostar Snap for cheap seats. The catch? You won’t know your exact departure time until a few days before, but if you’re flexible, it can pay off.
Buy now, Eurostar
Virgin Voyages
The sailing arm of the vast Virgin empire is offering 80 per cent off a second ticket and free drinks for travellers as part of its Black Friday offering. The adults-only cruises are Caribbean routes, including options for New Year’s Eve, making them perfect for a post-Christmas break. All aboard.
Buy now, Virgin Voyages
TUI
Specialising in East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern breaks, package holiday expert Tui takes care of all the details so you can get on with the highly important business of R&R.
Need some inspo? You’ll find it all, from flights only, cruise deals, skiing and hotel packages. For those hankering for a real adventure, try multi-destination options and pack more action into your time away or blow the budget and choose all-inclusive for a stress-free break.
Right now, you can save up to £300 on Tui's Black Friday deals departing from January 2026 - October 2027. Just add discount code: BLKFRI to get your discount.
Buy now, TUI
Booking.com
Research by the holiday expert has found that over a third of travellers expect costs to be higher for 2026 trips, which is even more reason to bag a Black Friday travel deal.
Luckily, the site is packed full of offers, from up to 40 per cent off rooms, up to 25 per cent off car rentals and 20 per cent off attractions.
It's also offering discounted airport transfers for the first time this year, meaning an early morning flight or late night arrival is less of a worry.
Kick off is from November 20 to December 3, 2025, for travel as far out as December 31, 2026.
Buy now, Booking.com
Lastminute.com
From an Eiffel Tower-adjacent suite to a converted Dutch church in Amsterdam (complete with Holy Mess laundry bags), there are lots of accommodation deals over at Lastminute.com, and that's before its official Black Friday event even kicks off.
Buy now, Lastminute.com
Flash Pack
The premium small group operator is marking Black Friday with tantalising drops until the shopping event officially kicks off on November 28. Trips include desert stays, exploring the Arctic Circle and a 12-day voyage across Japan.
Right now, you can save up to 15 per cent off its most off-the-beaten-path trips, including gorilla trekking and volcano viewing in Rwanda, the wilder side of Costa Rica, and whale-spotting in the Azores. Prepare to start ticking off that bucket list.
Buy now, Flash Pack
Secret Escapes
Secret Escapes members can enjoy more than 50 per cent off hundreds of exclusive luxury travel deals right now and all through the official Black Friday weekend.
We've spotted up to 67 per cent off a luxury adults-only resort in Crete; 55 per cent off a dreamy Maldives escape (overwater villa optional), and more than half off the cost of a Hilton staycation, complete with a chateaubriand dinner. Just take my money.
Buy now, Secret Escapes
G Adventures
New year, new horizons? G Adventures, the small-groups travel operator, is offering up to 30 per cent off selected itineraries booked before November 30. Destinations include Southeast Asia, deepest Peru, and the Serengeti.
Buy now, G Adventures
Explore
More and more people are signing up for solo travel, but if you’d like the companionship of a group, Explore can help.
The tour operator specialises in small group adventures, with a typical headcount of 11 people. New itineraries include an Egyptian voyage for the 2027 solar eclipse, a walking holiday in Bali and Lombok, and exploring India's southern states by bicycle.
Buy now, Explore
Turquoise Holidays
Always wanted to see the Maldives from a water villa? Your moment could be here thanks to Turquoise Holidays. Last year, the operator swiped 50 per cent off bookings at its dreamy Six Senses Laamu island resort. Fingers crossed for the same again next year.
Buy now, Turquoise Holidays
How to shop for Black Friday flights
Airlines tend to sell seats for a limited time, generally for departures between Black Friday (November 28) and March of the following year (excluding Christmas and New Year). Block out potential dates and secure annual leave because Black Friday flight deals are hugely popular and sell out quickly. Wait too long, and you might find the seats swiped out from under you.
Keep costs low by opting for underseat luggage only if possible.
Other ways to get from A to B
Consider rail or road transport options if you’re planning to hop across the Channel or stay in the UK. The deals are usually more generous and you’ll trim down your carbon footprint too.
Think of your 2026 schedule
Hoping for hotel deals? The Ts&Cs are a little more forgiving. Staycations tend to have a longer departure range, so whether you’re hoping to nab a Cotswold cottage for Easter or want to secure a local bed for a 2026 wedding, this year’s Black Friday travel deals should be onside. Plus, overnight spa breaks and sojourns to B&Bs in the southeast will feel like more of an escape, with extra treatments or shorter journey times.
Book your dream holiday for less
Package holiday and luxury travel operators also join in with Black Friday sales, allowing you to secure a five-star holiday for a three-star price. From exciting 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.
