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, find my notes for success after the travel deals below.
And whether you need new clothes for your adventure or you’re looking for home security options to keep tabs on the ranch while you’re away, all this and more can be found in our dedicated Black Friday section.
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.
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 very 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 into your time away or choose all-inclusive for a stress-free holiday.
This Black Friday, there is a tiered saving scheme - save £100 on a £1,000 spend, £200 when you spend £2,500 and £300 when you spend £3,500.
Buy now, TUI
Virgin Atlantic
Whether you're after a spot of R&R or you're looking for 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 £501, Orlando from £483 and Mumbai from £504.
If you're the 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.
Early Black Friday offers include up to 15 per cent off flights departing before March 31 next year and up to £200 off package holidays when flying before Halloween 2026.
Buy now £17.99, easyJet
Explore
Save up to 20 per cent in the Explore Black Friday sale. It includes over 2000 departures with travel from February to December 2025. Go to Japan for 14 days from £3199 (reduced from £3999) or maybe a Nambia Lodge Safari for £2556, down from £3195.
Buy now, Explore
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
Jet2
Deals are lining up at Jet2 before Black Friday officially takes off. Right now, swipe 20 per cent off winter breaks with flights from UK airports to ski hotspots like Salzburg, Grenoble and Innsbruck.
Looking to save on next year's summer jolly? Save up to £400 on Jet2 holidays.
Buy now, Jet2
British Airways
BA's Black Friday sale has taken to the skies, with headline deals including fares to Europe for £39. Meanwhile, three-night European city breaks start from £179pp, pairing a flight and a hotel stay in one handy bundle.
Hoping to bag a break somewhere further afield? Dubai is on the destination board from £502 return, while the shiny new route to Kuala Lumpur yours from £635.
Buy now £635.00, British Airways
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
IHG Hotels & Resorts
There's up to 25 per cent off stays until April 2025 at IHG Hotel and Resorts’ hotels, of which there are more than 6000 globally. From serene Maldivan beaches to the buzz of the Big Apple, cheaper rooms are just a click away.
Buy now, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Iberostar Beachfront Resorts
Dreaming of a beach break? Hard not to with weather like this. Lay big plans for 2025 thanks to Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, who is offering up to 40 per cent off rates in its Canary and Balearic Islands, Portugal, and Greece properties.
You'll need to book by December 3 and travel before Halloween next year.
Buy now, Iberostar
One Hundred Shoreditch
A gem of a hotel situated in buzzy Shoreditch, the One Hundred is more than a place to rest your head. There are five places to eat and drink, plus meeting and event spaces too. For Black Friday, the boutique bolthole is offering 30 per cent off stays from now until December 31, 2025 so if you've got a big birthday or event to celebrate next year, this offer could see you book it for a lot less.
Buy now, One Hundred Shoreditch
Flash Pack
The solo travel company is marking Black Friday by offering 20 per cent off selected itineraries until November 30. Trips include desert stays, exploring the Arctic Circle and a 12-day voyage across Japan.
Buy now, Flash Pack
Travel Republic
The travel expert has announced deals of up to 70 per cent off on stays when booked over Black Friday.
Buy now, Travel Republic
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 65 per cent off a luxury Hilton resort in Crete; 66 per cent off a dreamy Maldives escape and more than half off the cost of a Suffolk staycation. Just take our 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 taken before April 2025. Destinations include southeast Asia, deepest Peru, and Costa Rica.
Buy now, G Adventures
Yacht charter Black Friday deals
Always wanted to live the Below Deck life? Magical things happen on Black Friday, including the chance to vacay like the 1 per cent with a charter of your own.
Sunsail is offering up to 20 per cent off selected sea-based holidays in suitably glamorous global destinations. The deal is for 2025 departures until December 15 next year, but you'll need to book by November 26 to get the offer using discount code: BLACK.
Meanwhile, The Moorings is running the same deal for the same departure dates as long as you book by November 26. Destinations include the Seychelles, Greece or the British Virgin Islands.
Virgin Voyages
The sailing arm of the vast Virgin empire is offering trips from just £79pn as part of its Black Friday offering. Adults-only cruises include the 'Always Included Luxury' promise, which means you can sail on without worrying about a thing.
Buy now, Virgin Voyages
Champneys UK spa breaks
The famous spa resort has revealed its Black Friday offer: half off a soothing spa break at any of its six UK locations. If you know someone who could do with a little R&R, there's also a 30 per cent extra free on gift cards, so if you buy a £100 one, the value will actually be £130.
Both offers must be claimed by December 2.
Buy now, Champneys
Spabreaks.com
Ready for some R&R? I hear you. It'll be even easier to relax on a break that you bagged at up to 65 per cent off. That's what Spabreaks.com is offering this Black Friday with deals on locations from Scotland and Wales to Cornwall.
Hoping to stay in the city? London's W hotel is in the mix with up to 20 per cent off deals at its Away Spa.
Buy now, Spabreaks.com
Turquoise Holidays
Always wanted to see the Maldives from a water villa? The operator is offering 50 per cent off bookings at its dreamy Six Senses Laamu island resort when booked between November 28 and December 2, 2024.
Buy now, Turquoise Holidays
How to shop for Black Friday flights
Airlines tend to sell seats for a limited time, generally between Black Friday (November 29) and March of the following year (excluding Christmas and New Year). Hopefully by now you have earmarked potential dates and secured annual leave so that you can take advantage of the sales right now. 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.
When is Black Friday 2024?
The sale is always on the last Friday of November - this year that was November 29.
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 story, you can’t argue that it’s pretty catchy.
