'I'm a travel agent - 1 simple mistake adds £300 to your holiday costs'

A travel agent has warned that one common booking habit could be quietly adding hundreds of pounds to the price of your holiday. Lucy Hart, 38, has spent more than a decade helping clients plan trips around the world. She says the cost of some holidays is being driven up by a simple decision many people make before they even pack a suitcase.

She explained that the choice often feels like a way to save money, but in reality, it can make a trip more expensive and strip away valuable protection if things go wrong. It's also a mistake that Lucy says she sees "all the time" during peak booking seasons such as the summer holidays and over Christmas. Instead of cutting costs, it can add £150 to £300 to the overall bill and leave travellers paying extra for things they assumed were included.

The issue comes down to how people book their flights and accommodation.

Many believe shopping around and paying for each separately will save money. Lucy says it usually does the opposite.

According to Lucy and travel experts at Naturetrek, booking both together through the same provider often means getting discounts that aren't available when flights and hotels are purchased individually.

"One of the most common mistakes I see is people booking their flights and accommodation separately, thinking they'll find better individual deals," Lucy said.

"But what they don't realise is that many travel platforms and providers offer significant savings when you book both together. You can often save anywhere from £150 to £300 on the total cost."

She added that booking as part of a package, particularly with a UK-based operator, can also give you ATOL protection, meaning you're covered if your airline or hotel goes bust.

Extra costs are another factor. Transfers, for example, are often included in package prices but can cost £50 to £80 each way when booked separately.

Luggage allowances and flexible ticket changes may also be better value when they're part of a bundle.

Lucy's advice for cutting costs includes checking package prices first, even if you only plan to use the hotel and flight, and booking six to nine months in advance for the best rates.

She also recommends travelling off-peak in May or late September and considering destinations where package deals are particularly strong, such as Costa Rica or Sri Lanka.

"Many people assume booking separately gives them more control, but in most cases, it just adds to your to-do list and costs you more," Lucy said.

"Bundle deals don't mean less freedom. You can still customise things like flight times or room upgrades without paying premium rates."

A spokesperson from Naturetrek added: "Checking bundle prices first could save you hundreds, and ensure your trip runs more smoothly from the start."