Last Minute All Inclusive Holidays Ireland Guide & Deals

Anyone who has priced a family holiday from Ireland knows the gap between an early booking and a spontaneous one. Last minute all inclusive holidays promise real savings — sometimes up to 40% — but they also demand flexibility on destination, flight times, and resort choice; this guide breaks down the trade-offs and booking tips for Dublin, Shannon, and Cork.

Average saving vs. standard advance booking: up to 40% · Typical last minute booking window: 0–28 days before departure · Most popular all inclusive destinations from Ireland: Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Salou, Bodrum · Irish holidaymakers booking last minute in 2024: estimated 22%

Key facts at a glance

Five core data points define the last minute all inclusive market from Ireland – here is how the numbers stack up across operators and destinations.

What Are the Best Last Minute All Inclusive Holidays from Ireland?

The best deal depends on your departure airport, travel dates, and whether you need family-friendly or adults-only accommodation. Based on verified offers from Irish operators, three destinations consistently appear at the top of the last minute list.

Top destinations for last minute all inclusive

• Tenerife – year-round warmth, high concentration of all inclusive resorts, direct flights from Dublin and Shannon (Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator)
• Lanzarote and Gran Canaria – consistent last minute availability, especially in spring and autumn (Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator)
• Salou (Costa Dorada) and Bodrum (Turkey) – popular with Irish families, often included in late deals from Dublin

Best providers in Ireland for late deals

• On the Beach – strong online platform, frequent last minute filters
• Budget Travel – dedicated Irish call centre and blog with late-deal guidance (Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator)
• loveholidays and TUI – both offer real-time last minute availability searches and package deals
• lastminute.ie – as the name suggests, a dedicated late-booking portal

Bottom line: Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria are the workhorses of Irish last minute all inclusive – they deliver reliable sunshine, good flight connections, and strong hotel stock. The catch is that prime July–August dates get picked over quickly.

Which Irish Airports Offer Last Minute All Inclusive Packages?

Not all Irish airports have the same selection of last minute all inclusive packages. The departure hub directly affects both price and destination availability.

Departing from Dublin Airport

• Dublin Airport is the primary departure hub for last minute all inclusive from Ireland (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice) – most operators base their Irish packages on Dublin departures
• Destinations covered: Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Salou, Bodrum, Algarve, plus seasonal Croatia and Greek islands
• Flight frequency: multiple weekly flights to the Canaries year-round, with extra summer services to Spain and Turkey

Departing from Shannon or Cork

• Some operators offer regional airport departures but availability is more limited (Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator)
• From Shannon: direct options to Tenerife and Lanzarote, fewer last minute slots
• From Cork: connections to Canaries and Portugal, but package deals are less frequent

Bottom line: Dublin Airport offers the widest last minute all inclusive selection with the highest flight frequency. Travelers from Shannon or Cork should be prepared to fly via Dublin or accept a narrower destination list.

Are Last Minute All Inclusive Holidays Cheaper than Booking Early?

This is the central question for any Irish holidaymaker. The short answer is yes – under the right conditions – but the savings come with trade-offs.

Price comparison: last minute vs. advance booking

• Last minute can save 10–40% compared to booking three or more months ahead (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)
• Prices vary by season and demand – shoulder periods (May, September, October) offer the deepest discounts, while school-holiday weeks see smaller savings
• Impact of flight costs: package deals often include charter or scheduled flights, which can be the biggest variable; late flight-only bookings may be expensive, but package pricing sometimes absorbs that volatility

When is the best time to book a last minute deal?

• For summer (June–August): book 2–4 weeks ahead, scanning daily for price drops
• For winter sun: January and February last minute deals from Ireland are consistently strong because demand dips after Christmas
• Flash-sale sites like HolidayPirates, Travelzoo, and Secret Escapes post short-lived deals – MoneySavingExpert recommends checking them regularly (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)

Bottom line: Waiting until 2–4 weeks before departure can cut the price significantly, but only if you are flexible on destination and departure day. The best savings come in off-peak months.

Can I Find Adults Only or Family-Friendly Last Minute All Inclusive Holidays?

Irish operators clearly separate these two categories, and the choice affects both price and available resorts.

Adults only all inclusive last minute deals

• Available from TUI, On the Beach, and loveholidays – search filters for “adults only” are standard
• Often higher star rating (4–5 star) and located in quieter areas (e.g., Costa Adeje in Tenerife, Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote)
• Prices tend to be higher because of the resort grade, but last minute discounts can still apply

Family all inclusive last minute holidays

• Family deals often include children’s clubs, free places for kids (under 12) when sharing a room
• Popular family destinations from Ireland: Salou, Gran Canaria, Bodrum (Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator)
• Tip: family last minute deals can be harder to find during Irish school breaks – book early for Easter and mid-term weeks

Bottom line: Adults only last minute packages exist but lean premium. For families, the best value comes from resorts in Salou and Bodrum that offer free child places – but school holidays limit availability.

How Do I Book a Last Minute All Inclusive Holiday from Ireland?

Booking a last minute all inclusive package from Ireland follows a fairly standard process, but a few extra steps can secure a better deal.

Steps to book online

1. Set your filters – on operator websites (onthebeach.ie, budgettravel.ie, loveholidays.ie, tuiholidays.ie) select “last minute” or a departure date within 28 days
2. Compare across sites – MoneySavingExpert recommends checking at least three sites, including comparison platforms like Kayak (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)
3. Check flash-sale sites – HolidayPirates, Travelzoo, Secret Escapes often have exclusive last minute offers (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)
4. Call a travel agent – sometimes agents can beat the online price, especially for group bookings (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)
5. Check BA Holidays – MoneySavingExpert notes that BA Holidays can be cheaper than flights alone when bundled (MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice)

What to check before booking

• Passport validity – must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date for non-EU destinations (Turkey)
• Travel insurance – separate policy covering medical expenses, cancellation, and baggage (BallotBrief – travel insurance for medical conditions)
• Baggage allowance – check weight limits for hand luggage and hold luggage, especially on budget airlines (BallotBrief – TUI hand luggage size)
• All inclusive inclusions – confirm whether meals, snacks, selected alcoholic drinks, and afternoon tea are covered

Payment and cancellation policies

• Last minute bookings typically require full payment at booking – no deposit
• Cancellation rights: most package operators offer a 14-day cooling-off period for bookings made online (Ireland’s Consumer Rights Directive), but after that fees may apply
• Consider adding cancel for any reason cover if you are booking more than a few days ahead

Bottom line: The booking process is straightforward, but comparing across multiple channels and checking flash-sale sites can save an extra 10–20%. For Irish travelers, the biggest practical pitfalls are passport validity and luggage limits – fix those before clicking “book”.

Book now: comparison of booking channels

Different channels serve different needs. The table below compares the main options available to Irish holidaymakers – from direct tour operators to flash-sale platforms.

Bottom line: Direct tour operators give the widest package guarantee, but flash-sale sites offer the deepest discounts if you can act fast. Comparison sites are the middle ground for deliberate shoppers.

What remains uncertain about last minute all inclusive

The implication: these gaps mean that last minute savings are not guaranteed, and travelers should verify specific inclusions with their operator.

What the experts say

Compare holiday packages across comparison sites, check flash-sale sites like HolidayPirates, Travelzoo, and Secret Escapes, and call a travel agent to see if they can beat the price.

– MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice (source)

All-inclusive can save money because meals, snacks, and drinks are usually included – but check exactly what’s covered.

– MoneySavingExpert – consumer travel advice (source)

We’ve put together a guide to finding the cheapest last-minute holiday deals in Ireland – the key is to be flexible and shop around.

– Budget Travel Ireland – travel operator (source)

The takeaway: expert advice consistently points to comparing multiple sources and checking flash-sale sites for the deepest discounts.

Summary – The real cost of waiting

The promise of last minute all inclusive holidays from Ireland is real, but it comes with strings attached. You can save up to 40% by booking 2–4 weeks ahead, but only if you are willing to trade resort certainty for price. For an Irish family of four, that trade-off can mean a week in a 3-star hotel in Salou instead of a 4-star in Tenerife – or sometimes the same resort at half the price. The key is to start scanning operator websites and flash-sale sites early, compare across at least three sources, and know exactly what you are giving up in return for the discount. For the flexible traveler who can pack in 24 hours, the economics are clear: wait, compare, and save – but accept that the perfect resort may already be gone.

The catch: the risk of missing out entirely during peak demand means that waiting too long can backfire.

While Irish travellers can find excellent options departing from Dublin, it is also worth checking last minute all inclusive deals from the UK as many operators offer comparable bargains for those willing to fly from British airports.

Frequently asked questions