If summer seems to have disappeared too quickly, there is still time for a late-August escape. Expedia UK is currently promoting a Last Minute Summer campaign with advertised savings of up to 25% across selected travel. The key phrase is “up to”: always check the live price and conditions for your dates.
Browse Beach Escape Guide on Expedia
The August bank holiday opportunity
The summer bank holiday falls on Monday 31 August 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Rather than searching only one weekend combination, compare 28–31 August, 29 August–1 September and 30 August–2 September. If you have flexibility, also compare the first two weeks of September.
Where to look for a last-minute beach escape
For a short late-summer trip, consider destinations where flight time, airport transfer and usable beach time make sense together. The Canary Islands, Cyprus, Greek islands, Balearics, Madeira, the Turkish coast and parts of southern Europe can all be worth comparing depending on live availability.
Do not treat any hotel as participating in a promotion unless the live Expedia result for your dates actually shows the relevant rate or saving.
Don't choose by discount percentage
A hotel reduced from £1,000 to £750 may display a 25% saving, while another suitable property may simply cost £620. The second hotel can still be better value. Use this order: destination → dates → flights → hotel suitability → location → room → cancellation terms → total price → discount.
Hotel-only or flight + hotel?
Compare the same trip both ways: flights plus hotel separately, and a flight-and-hotel package. Use the same dates, baggage assumptions and room type. A package can be attractive, but it is not automatically cheaper.
Seven checks before paying
- Compare the total price, not only the headline saving.
- Check flight times so a short break does not lose most of its first and last day.
- Include baggage in the real flight cost.
- Check airport transfers and journey time to the resort.
- Examine the exact room, including occupancy, bedding, view and meals.
- Read cancellation conditions for the specific rate.
- Move the dates by a day and compare again.
Is September better value?
If school or work dates do not constrain you, travelling immediately after the bank holiday can be worth checking. September remains a strong beach month across many southern European destinations while demand patterns begin to change.
What about Hotels.com?
The previous 72-hour Hotels.com Flash Deals promotion has ended, so this page does not present that expired offer as current. Hotel-only shoppers can still compare the live Hotels.com price and any current member benefits against Expedia before booking.
Pros of a last-minute summer break
- A late-August long weekend can create a convenient short escape.
- Flexible travellers can compare several date combinations.
- Packages make it possible to compare flight and accommodation together.
- Moving into September may improve the value equation.
Things to consider
- “Up to 25%” does not mean every booking receives a 25% discount.
- Bank-holiday flights can be expensive.
- The cheapest room may have restrictive cancellation conditions.
- Baggage and transfers can materially change the total cost.
- A large percentage saving can still result in an expensive holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Expedia hotels 25% off?
No. An “up to” promotion does not mean every hotel or booking receives the maximum saving. Check the live result for your exact dates.
When is the August bank holiday in 2026?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it falls on Monday 31 August 2026.
Is it cheaper to book flight and hotel together?
Sometimes. Compare the package with the same flights and accommodation bought separately before deciding.
Should I wait until September?
If your dates are flexible, compare September before paying. Many southern European beach destinations can still offer excellent conditions.
Continue planning
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Ready to compare a last-minute escape?
Choose the destination and dates that genuinely work for you, then compare the complete trip cost rather than the largest discount badge.
Compare beach escapes on Expedia