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How to book a late holiday from Ireland

Practical tips for booking a late holiday from Ireland: timing, flexible dates and airports, passport rules, EHIC, insurance and bags.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Booking late can get you a good price and a break you did not expect to have. It also leaves less time to fix mistakes. This guide covers how to book well, and what to check before you go.

What counts as “late”

There is no official definition. In this guide, a late booking means departing within about eight weeks. Many late deals are for travel within two or three weeks.

When prices drop, and when they rise

Airlines and hotels change prices with demand. When a flight or hotel has seats or rooms to fill, prices can fall close to departure. When demand is strong, they can rise right up to the day.

Some general patterns:

  • Outside school holidays, late prices are more likely to fall.
  • During school holidays, late prices often rise, because so many families want the same dates.
  • Popular weekends and bank holidays fill early.
  • Midweek departures often have more choice than weekends.

If you see a price that works for you, book it. Waiting for a better one is a gamble.

Be flexible where you can

The more flexible you are, the more deals you see.

Dates. Moving your trip by a day or two can change the price a lot. Check the days either side.

Length. A five-night trip may cost far less than seven. Check both.

Airports. Dublin has the most flights. Cork, Shannon, Knock, Kerry and Belfast International all have sun routes too. Compare two or three airports within reach, and count the drive and parking.

Destination. If you just want sun, start with the airport and dates, then see where the deals are. latedeals.ie lists deals by Irish departure airport for this reason.

Check your passport first

This is the step that ruins most late holidays. Do it before you pay.

Within the EU, such as Spain. The Department of Foreign Affairs says there is no minimum passport validity for Spain. Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay.

Irish passport card. The card is valid for travel to EU member states, the EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), Switzerland and the UK. It lasts up to five years. If your passport book expires sooner, the card expires on the same date as the book. The card is not accepted in the non-EU countries below.

Turkey (Türkiye). You need a passport with at least 150 days’ validity to enter. Irish passport cards are not accepted. Irish citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Egypt. Your passport should be valid for six months from your date of arrival. Passport cards cannot be used. Irish tourists normally need a visa, usually available on arrival. Going only to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba for up to 15 days? You get an entry stamp on arrival instead. Leave those resorts and you need a visa.

Morocco. Your passport should have at least six months’ validity from the date you enter. Irish citizens do not need a visa. The passport card is not accepted.

Rules can change. Check the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice page for your destination before you book, and again before you fly.

If your passport needs renewing, check current processing times on the passport service before you book anything.

Health cover: EHIC and travel insurance

EHIC. The European Health Insurance Card covers medically necessary state healthcare in another EU or EEA country. You get the same terms as people insured there. It is free. Apply before you go.

The EHIC has limits. It does not cover private healthcare. It does not cover rescue or getting you home after a serious illness or accident.

Travel insurance. Buy it as soon as you book, so you are covered if you have to cancel. Check that it covers your destination, any activities you plan, and everyone travelling. If anyone has a medical condition, declare it.

The CCPC notes you can buy travel insurance from a provider other than your holiday company, and it may be cheaper.

Bags and extras

Bag rules change and differ by airline and fare type. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, easyJet and others all set their own cabin bag size and weight limits. Check the airline’s site for your exact fare before you pack.

Add bags and seats when you book if you can. Adding them later, or at the airport, can cost more.

Book the right way

Package or separate? A package gives you strong legal protection. Booking flight and hotel separately can be cheaper but gives you less. Read our guide to your rights on a package holiday.

Check the details. Confirm the names exactly match passports. Check the dates, the airport and the board basis. A late booking leaves little time to fix errors.

Save everything. Keep confirmation emails, booking references and the hotel’s contact details. Download your boarding passes and save them offline.

Last-minute checklist

  • Passport valid for the destination’s rules
  • Passport card only for EU, EEA, Switzerland or UK trips
  • EHIC for each traveller, for EU and EEA trips
  • Travel insurance bought
  • Bag allowance checked for each person
  • Transfers from the airport arranged
  • Booking confirmations saved offline

Sources

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