The 5 best budget travel companies in the UK

The idea of travelling the world on a budget might seem contradictory—but not when you choose the best low-cost holiday companies to help you snag cheap flights, give you the best travel advice, and help make every penny count. 

Whichever popular destinations you’ve got your eye on—from Turkey or Greece to Japan or the Maldives—low-cost agencies and travel companies can find you the best holiday deals without burning a hole in your pocket. 

To help you plan your next trip on a thrifty budget—and escape rainy England—check out our list of the five best low-cost travel companies in the UK which is packed with info on the affordable experiences and destinations you can enjoy.

Best online travel agency for business travel

1. TravelPerk: the one agency for all your business travel needs

TravelPerk is a modern solution for modern corporate travel. Its easy-to-use online booking tool is a refreshing change from the clunky UI often associated with business travel. TravelPerk enables you to make flexible bookings for employees, and even offers the option to offset your carbon footprint. 

As well as access to a huge inventory of flights—including low-cost carriers and accommodation—TravelPerk also has direct contracts with over 30,000 properties worldwide, enabling clients to access lower rates and keep business spending low. 

TravelPerk also offers the most comprehensive and unique set of corporate travel features, including FlexiPerk, an add-on that allows users to cancel any aspect of their travel plans up to two hours before departure—saving businesses an average of 40% when compared to traditional flexible fares. Plus, across all of TravelPerk’s paid plans, businesses only pay the monthly fee if they travel that month.

This platform is more than just an OTA, it’s a comprehensive corporate travel management tool that helps your team book, manage, and report on business travel. TravelPerk ensures employees are traveling stress-free on the cheapest flights available, at no sacrifice to experience.

Main offerings and features: 

TravelPerk gives employees access to the information and the security they need to travel with peace of mind. It gives organizations and travel managers access to the best corporate travel rates that you won’t find on the market.

The best budget travel agencies in the United Kingdom for leisure travel

2. TUI

TUI is a leisure, travel and tourism company that specialises in package holidays, cruises, flights, and hotel bookings. As well as offering several last-minute and destination deals, the company flies from over 20 UK airports—including five of the major London airports—ensuring convenient access for travellers across the country.

Australia, Egypt, Mexico, oh my! TUI offers affordable holidays all over the globe, including beach holidays, city breaks, and mountain retreats, and even holidays in Africa to indulge in one-of-a-kind safari trips. 

Travellers can choose from over 5,000 combinations for multi-destination trips or opt for shorter getaways in Europe. Whether it’s exploring exotic destinations like the Caribbean, Dubai, or Thailand, TUI stands out as an excellent choice for stress-free, all-inclusive holidays.

Finally, the ATOL scheme financially protects all flight-inclusive holidays featured on TUI, and travellers will receive an ATOL certificate upon payment. 

Main offerings and features: 

• Personalised tours and multi-destination trips for customised getaways 
• Flexible payment options and some 0% deposit options
• 24/7 customer support 
• Holiday budget calculator to help travellers budget their spending money
• TUI mobile app helps travellers book and manage your trip 

3. Jet2 Holidays

Jet2 Holidays is a tour operator and part of the Jet2.com airline based in the UK. The company specialises in providing package holidays, including flights, accommodations, and transfers, and offers a range of holiday options, from beach vacations to city breaks and family-friendly getaways.

As well as destination holidays to European countries such as Spain and Italy, they also offer “active” holidays which include golfing, cycling, camping, and theme park trips. Plus, Jet2 Holidays acts as a one-stop shop for all holiday essentials, offering travellers the choice to purchase travel insurance, car rentals, airport lounges, and even pre-ordered champagne to help them make the most of their travel experiences. 

Main offerings and features: 

• Single-parent holidays, LGBTQ+ trips, and solo getaways
• Free child places—children can fly, stay, and play for free with certain packages
• Low deposits help travellers spread the cost of the trip 
• Travellers can search for holidays by TripAdvisor rating for independent reviews
• All infants under two travel for free 

4. Low Cost Vibes

Low Cost Vibes is a low-cost travel agency that offers budget-friendly vacations to countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The company’s holiday packages include flights, hotel accommodation, airport parking facilities, and travel insurance.

As well as partnering with a broad range of popular low-cost airlines, Low Cost Vibes also works with more than 170,000 hotels to deliver the best prices and travel deals to suit travellers on a budget.

Main offerings and features: 

• Dedicated travel agents 
• All flight offers are covered by ATOL protection
• 24-hour customer support
• Choice of holiday types, including LGBT, villa, self-catering, and family holidays 
• Specialised skiing packages 

5. Sunshine

Sunshine is a low-cost, online travel agent that provides a search interface between travellers and various third-party suppliers. In other words, much like Skyscanner and Booking.com, it’s a search engine that helps you find the best deals according to your search parameters. 

It’s important to note that online travel agencies such as Sunshine aren’t responsible for any purchases you make from hotel or flight providers. However, any flight-inclusive package holiday booked via Sunshine is fully ATOL protected. 

From couples and singles holidays to short breaks and winter escapes, Sunshine offers an easy booking process and a great inventory of low-cost, wallet-friendly choices for all types of travellers to discover.

Main offerings and features: 

• All-inclusive holidays 
• Hotel deposits from as little as £1 
• Last-minute holidays
• “Flextras”, a flexible booking policy that ensures no charges for changes or cancellations 
• Price promise ensures a refund of the difference if you find a cheaper deal elsewhere

Wrapping up: Which budget travel company is best for you?

Every company on this list knows how to deliver low-cost, tailor-made travel plans. Craving a biking adventure in Canada, the bright lights of New York City, or the vibrant cultural tapestry of India? These companies offer the flexibility you need in departure dates and airfare choices to make it all happen.

Plus, for first-time or solo travellers, the fact that these companies’ travel experts can provide the best destination knowledge, sightseeing info, and travel tips is a game changer. However, if you need a corporate travel solution with excellent service, TravelPerk is the answer. You’ll enjoy exclusive negotiated rates and VAT reclaims, ensuring savings throughout the entire process. Contact the team today to discover how TravelPerk can help you cut down on business travel expenses.