- Mr Plane Guy
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
I Compare Flights for a Living… Here's How I Find the Cheapest Package Holidays
(And Save Hundreds Every Time)
By Mr Plane Guy | Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying (and fuels my airport lounge coffee addiction).
I compare flights every single day...
People assume that because I spend my life reviewing airlines, airport lounges and premium cabins, I always book flights separately. Sometimes that's the cheapest option. Sometimes it definitely isn't. That's why I compare every single trip before I book.
One of the biggest travel secrets I've learned over the years is this: Package holidays are often cheaper than booking the flights and hotel yourself.
Yes... even if you're travelling as a couple. Sometimes the flights alone cost almost as much as the package. That's why, before I book any leisure trip, I always compare package holiday prices first. And the website I nearly always check first is...
Compare today's cheapest package holidays with Icelolly
Compare over 2 million live holiday deals from the UK's biggest travel companies and see if you can save around £350 on your next trip.
Package holidays often include:
✔ 23kg luggage (sometimes)
✔ ATOL protection
✔ Sometimes meals
✔ Airport transfers (sometimes)
Why I Always Compare Before Booking
When people search Google they usually do this...
Open SkyScanner.
Open Google Flights.
Find a hotel.
Book them separately.
Job done.
But package holiday companies buy huge blocks of airline seats months in advance.
Sometimes they can sell:
✈️ Return flights
🏨 Hotel
🧳 ATOL protection
🚍 Transfers
...for less than you'd pay for the flights alone.
That's why comparing prices can save hundreds.
Why I Always Check Icelolly Before I Book
Before booking I always spend two minutes checking Icelolly.
Rather than visiting ten different holiday companies individually, it compares deals from names including:
Jet2holidays
TUI
easyJet Holidays
First Choice
Holiday Gems
Love Holidays
On the Beach
That's more than 2 million live holiday deals being compared in one place.
Plane Tip
Never book the first holiday you find. Spend two minutes comparing first.
It could save you hundreds.
Compare Today's Cheapest Holidays
Whether you're looking for:
☀️ Turkey
🏖️ Tenerife
🇪🇸 Benidorm
🇬🇷 Greece
🇵🇹 Algarve
🇪🇬 Egypt
or a spontaneous last-minute escape..Icelolly searches them all in seconds.
🥈 Best Turkey Bargain
Hotel Palmea, Marmaris (Dalaman)
📅 7 nights
✈️ From London Gatwick
💷 From £250pp
🛏️ Bed & Breakfast
Turkey continues to offer some of the best value holidays this summer, especially around Dalaman and Marmaris.
A Real Example
Let's use the Marmaris holiday above as a real-world example.
Most people will:
search flights
search Booking.com
add luggage
add transfers
Sometimes the package wins. Sometimes separate booking wins.
But I never know until I compare.
As someone who compares flights for a living, I assumed I could build this holiday cheaper by booking the flights and hotel separately.
I was wrong.
Here's what I found when I priced up exactly the same trip to Marmaris.
Booking separately | Price per person |
✈️ easyJet flights (with bags & seats) | £283.94 |
🏨 Hotel (7 nights, B&B) | ≈£255 |
Total DIY cost | ≈£539 |
That's a saving of almost £290 per person.
Or nearly £580 for two people.
That's why I always compare package holidays before booking flights separately.
"Sometimes booking separately is cheaper. Sometimes the package wins. That's exactly why I always spend two minutes comparing before I book."
My Favourite Destinations To Compare
I always compare prices before booking:
Turkey
Spain
Greece
Morocco
Sometimes the savings genuinely surprise me.
More Travel Tips
Planning your next trip?
You might also enjoy:
Don't Forget Your Travel Debit Card
If you're heading abroad, it's also worth checking whether you have the right travel debit card. One of the best offers available at the moment includes a generous welcome bonus, along with competitive exchange rates that could help reduce the cost of spending overseas.
I'm not a financial adviser, and this isn't a personal recommendation. Make sure you read all the eligibility criteria, fees, terms and conditions to decide whether it's right for you.
FAQ
Is It Cheaper to Book a Package Holiday?
Often, yes. Package holiday companies can secure discounted flight and hotel rates months in advance, meaning a package can sometimes cost less than booking everything yourself. I've found examples where booking separately was almost £290 more per person. That said, it isn't always cheaper, which is why I always compare both options before I book.
Are Package Holidays ATOL Protected?
Most UK package holidays booked through ATOL-licensed travel companies are financially protected. If the company stops trading before or during your trip, ATOL protection helps safeguard your holiday. Always check that your chosen holiday includes ATOL protection before booking.
Is Icelolly Free to Use?
Yes. Icelolly is completely free to search and compare holiday prices. It compares millions of package holiday deals from leading UK travel companies, then redirects you to the holiday provider to complete your booking. There are no fees for using the comparison service.
Can Package Holidays Be Cheaper Than Flights Alone?
Surprisingly, yes. Tour operators often buy airline seats in bulk, allowing them to offer package holidays that can sometimes cost less than the flights alone. I've personally compared holidays where the complete package was significantly cheaper than booking the flights and hotel separately.
Is It Better to Book Flights and Hotels Separately?
It depends on the trip. Booking separately offers more flexibility, while package holidays can provide outstanding value by combining flights, hotels and sometimes extras like baggage or transfers. I always compare both options first and book whichever offers the best overall value.
Should I Compare Package Holiday Prices Before Booking?
Absolutely. Even if you think you've found a cheap flight or hotel, it only takes a couple of minutes to compare package holiday prices. Sometimes you'll discover that a package holiday offers much better value, while other times booking separately comes out on top. Comparing both gives you the confidence you're getting the best deal. Using a holiday comparison site only takes a couple of minutes.
I've spent years comparing airlines, hotels and loyalty programmes. One thing I've learned is simple.
Never assume booking flights and hotels separately is the cheapest option.
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it isn't.
That's why I always compare package holidays first.
If it saves you £20... brilliant.
If it saves you £350...
...that's another weekend away. Rather than checking dozens of travel companies yourself, you can compare them in one search.
Plane Related Reads......
Your Complete Guide to London Luton Airport (2026 Edition)
Pegasus Airlines Gatwick to Istanbul: Flights, Baggage, Reviews & Everything You Need to Know
Planning a Turkey holiday? Read my full Cook’s Club Adakoy review to see whether this adults-only Marmaris hideaway really delivers the ultimate Turkish escape.
I Compare Flights for a Living…Here's How I Find the Cheapest Package Holidays
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